To better serve one of Southern California’s busiest transit regions, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) completed a major modernization and expansion of the South Bay Bus Maintenance Facility. The original site’s constrained footprint made it difficult for operators to maneuver buses and perform essential fueling, servicing and maintenance. The completed expansion provided the space, functionality and sustainable features needed to support growing operational demands.
What challenges did STV address?
Before the expansion, limited space at the South Bay facility hindered efficient bus circulation and daily maintenance activities. The site offered little room for fleet growth or operational flexibility. Modernizing the facility required reconfiguring the campus, adding new service buildings, integrating sustainable systems and maintaining ongoing transit operations throughout construction.
What solutions did STV deliver?
As part of the design‑build team, STV provided architectural design along with structural, mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering services. The firm also supplied construction‑phase support and managed the project’s LEED® certification process. The completed campus features a new 49,000‑square‑foot high‑bay maintenance facility, a 12,000‑square‑foot operations and administration building, and a two‑bay bus wash building. Sustainable elements – such as natural daylighting, photovoltaic power generation, and a high‑performance building envelope – contributed to the project achieving LEED® Silver certification.
How does this project benefit the region?
The expanded facility improves operational efficiency, increases capacity and enhances working conditions for supervisors, operators and maintenance staff. Its sustainable design reduces energy use and environmental impact, while the reconfigured campus improves safety and streamlines bus circulation. The project strengthens transit service reliability across the South Bay region.
Key Stats and Accolades
- ACEC Engineering Excellence Awards (state and national)
- 49,000-sf high‑bay maintenance building
- 12,000-sf operations and administration building
- Two‑bay bus wash building
- LEED® Silver certification
