Construction of Hawaii County’s new Mass Transit baseyard is about three months behind schedule.
Construction of Hawaii County’s new Mass Transit baseyard is about three months behind schedule.
The facility near the Hilo landfill initially was expected to be finished this month.
Tiffany Kai, director of the county bus service, also known as Hele-On, said the most recent projection is that the new facility will be ready for use in February.
She said the project faced a delay when a contractor excavated too much rock and soil, requiring it to be backfilled with concrete.
Kai said that didn’t cost the county any more money, but a change order related to the redesign of column footings increased the cost from $11.2 million to $11.3 million.
She said the redesign was required after a “shop draw review” found the building was going to be lighter than expected.
The baseyard will be located on 5 acres next to a quarry on Hoolaulima Road.
It will include a 26,500-square-foot office building and a 19,500-square-foot warehouse for bus maintenance and repairs. Kai previously said it will allow the agency to consolidate administration and mechanic operations.
The facility will have room for 55 buses and provide room for expansion as the fleet grows, she said last year.