The Town of Cary works closely with regional partners to provide safe and efficient public transit options. In November 2016, voters approved a transit-dedicated half-cent sales tax investment to expand and better connect the public transit network throughout Wake County. This investment, known as the Wake Transit Plan, includes a new GoCary Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility. This new facility will serve as a foundation for the growth of regional mobility options by providing more access to jobs, schools, medical facilities, and more.

A facility needs assessment was completed for GoCary that evaluated current needs and planning for future growth. Long-range planning, staff interviews, and facility assessments were studied to accurately calculate land acreage needed to support GoCary’s future growth. The assessment was based on the projected number of employees, facility additions and expansions, parking, vehicular circulation, fleet size, and maintenance services to provide the level of service necessary for the next 30 years.

This chart outlines the capacity of the existing facility compared to current/future needs concluded in the assessment:

GoCary cannot expand or renovate the existing facility since the property is leased by the contracted service provider.

The project scope of work is to locate, design, and construct a new 50,000 square feet administration, operations, and maintenance facility that will accommodate GoCary’s current fixed route and Door to Door service, allow room for expansion, and afford the opportunity to share resources with other regional transit providers.

Since the GoCary service provider is leasing the current facility, the project scope of work will be completed in two phases: Site Selection and New Facility.

Site Selection: This first phase of work involved comprehensive evaluations of potential sites based on the following comparatives: capital cost, community and environmental impacts, existing easements and right-of-way requirements, vehicle access, ownership, the potential for expansion, traffic impacts, utilities, and operations. Site evaluations were completed and consultants developed concept plans and cost estimates for two potential sites. A final site at 160 Towerview Court was chosen as the best location for its proximity to downtown Cary and compatibility with adjacent sites.

New Facility: This second phase of work will consist of developing the selected site concept plans into contract documents to be bid for construction. Programmed spaces for the new Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility include 23,000 sf maintenance spaces, 20,000 sf administration and operations spaces, 4,560 sf vehicle wash and 2,700 sf fueling facilities.

Project Library 

Below is the most current estimated schedule for the Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility project.

Fall 2019 to Spring 2020: Facility Master Planning & Programming
Summer 2020: Cost/Benefit Site Analysis
Fall 2021: Begin Design
Summer 2024: End Design
Fall 2024: Construction Bidding & Contracts                     
Fall 2024: Begin Construction                                              
End of 2026: End Construction                                                   

Contact

Jorge A. Salazar, PE
Transit Project Manager
(919) 380-2771
jorge.salazar@carync.gov