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Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority building with glass tower, brick facade, and parking garage.Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority building with glass tower, brick facade, and parking garage.

Streamlining transit for Erie County 

By consolidating four transit facilities into one modern campus, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) improved operational efficiency, reduced disruption and created a new headquarters for the transit authority’s team.  

Client

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority

Location

Erie, Pennsylvania

Connect with an expert

Person in a dark suit and white shirt in a modern interior with wooden panels.
Tim King RA, LEED AP
Facilities/Architectural Services Practice Leader

Erie consolidates transit operations into a single, efficient campus 

Since 1966, the EMTA served Erie County through a dispersed network of transit facilities. As operations expanded, maintaining efficiency across four separate sites became increasingly complex. To support current and future needs, EMTA advanced a Joint Operations Facility that consolidates maintenance, fleet storage, administration and support functions into one location. Delivered in two phases, the project updated and consolidated transit facilities while maintaining uninterrupted bus service throughout construction. 

Designed fleet storage facility 

CDM Smith designed the 147,000 square foot fleet storage facility, providing storage for EMTA’s fleet of 160 buses and paratransit vehicles. 

Delivered integrated administration building 

The team designed a two-story administration building that consolidates offices for operations, maintenance and leadership, bringing staff together in one functional location. 

Planned parking and revenue-generating space 

CDM Smith designed a three-story parking garage that accommodates employee parking and includes 10,000 square feet of transit-oriented retail space. 

Maintained transit operations during construction 

To avoid service disruptions, CDM Smith planned a phased demolition and construction approach that preserved access, circulation, fueling and parking throughout active transit operations. 

With the Joint Operations Facility complete, EMTA now operates from a single, purpose-built campus that supports current service demands and future growth. By addressing site constraints, regulatory requirements and operational complexity, the project provides an energy-efficient, functional workplace and establishes a clear, visible identity for public transit in Erie. The campus supports current service demands and future growth. 

A look inside the EMTA operations campus 

Curious to learn more?

Connect with an expert to find out how we delivered this project.

Person in a dark suit and white shirt in a modern interior with wooden panels.

Tim King

Architect

Tim is an architect focused on design and construction documents for diverse facilities, with expertise in transit projects and LEED sustainability.

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