Just a couple weeks after rebranding the city’s transit system, Huntsville has been awarded a $12.5 million grant to build another transfer station and renovate the current station off Church Street.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced today the Federal Transit Administration will make the award. Some $464 million in infrastructure grants to 96 projects in 49 states and territories were awarded to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems. Huntsville was the only Alabama city to receive a grant.

Huntsville will receive $12.5 million to construct a multimodal transfer station and renovate its existing operating facility. The project will improve safety and reliability, and accommodate growing ridership for Huntsville Transit.

“This grant will provide a major upgrade in our transportation system,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “When complete, we’ll be able to provide more services for those who want and need alternative methods of transit.”

Transportation Director Tommy Brown said the new transfer station will be able to accommodate additional buses, taxis, Greyhound, and ride-share programs such as Uber and Lyft.

“As we look to add more routes and options to our transportation network, we’ll need an expanded facility for our central hub,” said Brown. “Our population and demand for service is growing and this puts us in a great position for the next 20 years to accommodate ridership and improve our reliability and efficiency.”

The multimodal transit facility will be built on the site of the old Sherman Concrete plant just off of Church Street and Pratt Avenue. The city acquired the property to make room for the University Drive/Church Street roadway improvement project, now under construction.

“Moving the transfer station will give us more room for waiting areas and public amenities like charging stations for cell phones, laptops and even electric vehicles,” said Brown. “Following this project, we’ll add a new building at our existing location with services for bus drivers such as a lunch room, break rooms, locker facilities, automated bus wash and employee parking.”

Phase 1 of the project is expected to cost approximately $15.7 million. Phase II renovations on Cleveland are estimated at about $3.4 million.

“We can’t start tomorrow because of the Church Street road project, but hopefully we’ll get started in 2021 and be open by 2022,” said Brown.

The funding is from the FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program.