A transit facility that prioritizes sustainability, the North Loop Bus Garage design-build project is transforming daily fleet operations and actively supporting Metro Transit's vision for greener public transportation.

The 350,000-square-foot facility is comprised of 24 maintenance bays with the capacity to store up to 200 buses. HNTB was responsible for civil design of the structure’s exterior and surrounding site and also provided design for an innovative water-storage solution that will save Metro Transit up to 2.6 million gallons of water each year.

Supporting Delivery

As part of HNTB’s scope of work, the firm led civil design for hydraulic and drainage systems, retaining walls, site grading, horizontal and vertical road alignments, pavement work and sidewalk and ADA compliancy.

Creating Sustainable Operations

In alignment with Metro Transit’s goals to reduce energy usage and emissions, an HNTB-led rainwater storage tank has become a critical component of the bus facility.

The design collects rainwater from the facility’s rooftop and funnels it into a 40,000-gallon tank underground, which is then used for routine bus washing. With the capacity to save 2.6 million gallons of potable water each year, the forward-thinking design will remain a sustainable solution that reduces energy potable water usage for many years to come.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Client: Metro Transit

Services: Civil design, structural design

Awards: 2024 Grand Award, ACEC Minnesota