A new generation of transit projects is reshaping how public transportation is structured to improve community connections. Across the United States, public agencies are advancing multimodal hubs that do more than move passengers, they anchor development, improve access, and redefine the rider experience. This shift comes at a time when transit systems are under pressure to modernize aging infrastructure, respond to population growth, and compete with evolving mobility options.
Federal infrastructure funding, combined with state and local investment, has accelerated planning for projects that emphasize seamless transfers, pedestrian-friendly design, and integration across transportation modes. Increasingly, transit centers are being viewed not simply as infrastructure assets, but as catalysts for economic development and long-term community growth.
Transit officials in DeKalb County, Georgia, are advancing a $37.5 million project to create a new central transfer hub for riders. The initiative is designed to consolidate transit options into a single, purpose-built location that will simplify connections and improve system efficiency. Once completed, the transit hub will serve as a major transfer point for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus routes in a rapidly growing service area.
Planned improvements include a new passenger area with covered waiting spaces to provide protection from the elements, along with upgraded transit amenities to enhance safety and rider comfort. The project will incorporate real-time information systems, fare collection equipment, and improved pedestrian access points. Additional components include designated drop-off areas, bike racks, and a staffed service building that will house customer service functions, public restrooms, and operational space.
Project delivery will be phased as planning and design efforts progress. MARTA is targeting construction to begin in 2028, with procurement solicitations anticipated in 2027.
The NJ TRANSIT system will soon undertake a $250 million project to overhaul the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, New Jersey. The existing facility will be replaced with a modern, expanded multimodal transit hub designed to improve connections between regional and local systems while supporting ongoing redevelopment in Camden’s downtown and surrounding institutional corridors.
The new facility will serve as a central transfer point for multiple transit partners, including NJ TRANSIT bus routes, the PATCO Speedline, the River LINE light rail system, and intercity bus services. The project is designed to improve bus circulation, passenger flow, and overall operational efficiency. Planned features include expanded passenger areas, upgraded ADA-compliant infrastructure, and enhanced intermodal connections to streamline transfers between modes. Additional components may include parking facilities, administrative office space, and infrastructure for retail. The surrounding area may also support future transit-oriented development, including housing, hospitality, and additional retail. The project is currently in the design and pre-procurement stages. While no formal procurement timeline has been announced, local leaders indicate the project could be completed between 2028 and 2030.
City officials in West Baltimore, Maryland, are advancing a $33.5 million transit hub project to modernize one of the city’s most critical transfer points. Led by the Maryland Transit Administration in partnership with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, the project is designed to create a safer, more accessible, and better-connected hub while supporting future transit-oriented development.
The scope includes upgrades to station infrastructure and improved passenger access. Planned work involves reconstruction of the bus loop, drainage and plaza improvements, and rehabilitation of existing station elements. Additional upgrades include a new customer service kiosk, improved wayfinding, real-time information displays, and enhanced lighting. Improvements will also extend beyond the station footprint, strengthening connections to surrounding areas through redesigned intersections, ADA-compliant upgrades, expanded bicycle facilities, and a new linear plaza to enhance pedestrian accessibility. Sustainability features include energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and bioretention systems, requiring coordination among multiple agencies.
The project is currently in the planning and concept design phase, with scope development expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.
Plans have also been announced for a $56 million multimodal transportation center in Monterey County, California. The project will establish a rail station in King City connecting the Amtrak Coast Starlight with the planned Coast Daylight service.
Project plans include construction of a new platform, track improvements, and connections to regional and intercity bus services to enhance multimodal accessibility. Additional components include a parking lot for transit users, drop-off and loading zones, and a staging area for soldiers training at the U.S. Army’s Fort Hunter Liggett. The project will also incorporate pedestrian and bicycle improvements and an extension of a rail siding. Once completed, the facility is expected to improve transportation efficiency, expand access, and enhance passenger comfort. The project remains in the planning and design phase, with construction likely delayed until approximately 2029.
Officials in Wake Forest, North Carolina, are planning a $31 million multimodal transportation project tied to the future S-Line passenger rail corridor. Led by the Town of Wake Forest with financial support from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the project will be located at the site of the historic freight and passenger rail depot in downtown Wake Forest.
The project will establish a new multimodal facility designed to connect multiple transportation modes in a single location. Planned components include passenger rail station functions, bus connections, pedestrian infrastructure, and multimodal transfer amenities that support both local and regional mobility. The hub is intended to improve first-mile and last-mile access while strengthening connectivity for residents, visitors, and transit users. It will also support walking, biking, ride-sharing, and other transportation options linked to the broader corridor.
The project is currently in the design and preconstruction phase, with final design and right-of-way activities underway. Construction is expected to begin in 2028.
While each of these upcoming projects reflect unique local priorities, together they illustrate a broader national commitment to improving mobility and strengthening communities. Multimodal hubs are emerging as long-term assets that connect people to jobs, services, and opportunities while encouraging more resilient and accessible urban growth patterns.
As these projects move from planning into procurement and construction, their impact will extend well beyond transportation. They will influence land use decisions, support private-sector investment, and shape how residents and visitors experience their communities. In that sense, these transit centers are not just points along a route, they are becoming defining elements of the regions they serve, helping to determine how people live, work, and connect for decades to come.
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