The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has begun construction on the first all-electric South Dade Transit Operations Center (SDTOC) that will charge, service, operate, maintain and house the department’s future 100 60-foot battery-electric buses.
The new facility is being built on a 20-acre site in South Dade, Fla., and will include green energy features such as solar power and a water reclaim system for the bus wash and will considerably improve efficiency for bus routes that will employ bus rapid transit service on the TransitWay Corridor of the SMART Program.
WSP was awarded a design-bid-build contract for the design and construction services for the SDTOC. WSP says the new facility will bring more than 270 jobs to the area and better serve the mobility needs of the county’s fastest-growing area, which stretches from Homestead and Dadeland to Florida City.
“This groundbreaking is a proud moment for DTPW,” said Angel André Chavarria, senior vice president and alternative delivery project director at WSP. “Planning, design and construction for this one-of-a-kind facility is a testament to the determination and forward-thinking project team working to address future climate conditions.”
WSP notes that in a major storm or crisis, the facility can be used as an emergency command center for DTPW bus operations.
“This project is moving forward thanks to the fantastic collaboration between the county, Florida Power and Light and community stakeholders across the region,” Chavarria said. “The new TOC will anchor Miami-Dade’s future transit operations and serve as a model for other communities seeking more sustainable transit systems.”
Chavarria notes retractable platforms will be installed on the facility to reach bus rooftops, where batteries are charged.
“When a bus backs in, maintenance staff can step directly onto and off of the roof, making their work safer and more efficient,” Chavarria said.
The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2026, with a portion opening as soon as summer 2025.
