AECOM named prime consultant for Ottawa’s new electric-bus garage
The City of Ottawa has selected infrastructure consultants AECOM to act as the prime consultant for the development of a new electric-bus garage.
The project is part of a multi-year exercise to convert the city’s bus fleet from diesel to zero-emission by 2036.
“We are drawing on more than 15 years of North American experience in zero emission technology to support the City of Ottawa’s transition to greener transit,” said Richard Barrett, chief executive of AECOM’s Canada region. “The City’s investment in their energy transition to zero-emission vehicles is one of the most impactful actions it can take to meet its reduction targets.”
As the prime consultant, AECOM has teamed up with GRC Architects to provide building and site infrastructure for the planning, design, and construction administration.
The zero-emission bus facility, located at the St. Laurent Boulevard Campus, will house and charge 84 of the city’s new electric buses.
“We have a proven track record of collaborating on a variety of decarbonization projects for transit agencies, municipalities and private organizations,” said Walter Gaudet, AECOM’s regional business line lead for Buildings + Places Canada. “Our experience designing LEED-certified bus facilities means we understand the unique requirements of evolving transit operations and maintenance facilities.”
The City of Ottawa says the project will play a crucial role in its Climate Change Master Plan, an overarching framework which addresses the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to the current and future effects of climate change.
Ottawa’s transportation sector contributes 44 percent of the city’s community greenhouse gas emissions. The plan aims to transition Ottawa into a clean, renewable and resilient city by 2050 through the implementation of short, mid, and long-term reduction targets.