On September 19, Wharton-Smith team members joined the School District of Osceola County to break ground on a new School Bus Transportation Facility on the county’s east side. See pictures here.
The $36 million project includes a school bus fleet maintenance building and associated parking areas. The facility will be equipped with six double-length bus/vehicle drive-through servicing bays for buses and fleet vehicles, with necessary servicing tools and repair equipment. Each bay will be capable of supporting a portable bus/vehicle lift. The design also includes lockable storage space for bus and vehicle parts, a workspace for radio repair, upholstery repair, painting, and bodywork, a large space with exterior access for tire storage separated from the mechanical part storage, and conditioned electronic part storage. The facility will also provide an aboveground fuel depot with the ability to fuel 200 school buses with diesel fuel and regular fuel for fleet vehicles. An exterior bus washing facility is also planned.
The design of the administration building includes office space for administrative and support staff, a computer training lab, and a driver’s lounge, in addition to room for meetings and staff training. The building will also house a breakroom, restroom facilities, and lockers.
The school bus parking lots will allow for 200 bus parking spaces and 350 car parking spaces.
Erika Booth, District 5 School Board Member, said, “This project will enhance our transportation services by reducing travel times and improving efficiency for our routes on the east side of town.”
The project is expected to be complete by the Fall of 2024
