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Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) of Harris County, Texas, plans to break ground Dec. 3 for its Texas Medical Center Transit Center (TMC), which will offer bus and light-rail service.



On Nov. 21, METRO's board awarded a $9.2 million contract to Satterfield & Pontikes for the center's construction.


Scheduled to open in time for METRORail's early-2004 debut, TMC will feature 16 bus bays, a pedestrian skybridge connecting TMC to a METRORail station, two loading/unloading platforms conveyed by a canopy, elevators and various passenger amenities (vending machines, telephones, benches, information kiosks, etc.).



To be built on five acres, TMC will offer connections to several local and commuter bus routes, TMC circulator shuttles and METROLift paratransit service. During peak hours the facility will accommodate up to 160 buses.



METRO plans to finance the project with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent local funds.