City staff detail Durham Station overhaul: $10.8M federal award, cost increases push total toward roughly $26M

City transportation staff told the council they are advancing a multi‑million‑dollar project to revitalize Durham Station, citing rider needs for more covered waiting areas, restrooms on the platform and increased boarding capacity.

"We submitted that in November 2021 to the Federal Transit Administration with a request for $10,800,000, and we were awarded that funding in March 2022," said Sean Egan of the transportation department. The project schematic increases canopy coverage from roughly 20% to about 80%, improves platform walkways, adds restrooms and customer information on the platform, and would grow the station from 20 bays to 28.

Staff said initial estimates placed the project at about $13.5 million, but costs have risen substantially and the project is now approaching about $26 million. To bridge the gap, staff reported $1,700,000 in city-controlled federal funds already allocated and a pending Durham County Transit Plan request for $3,560,000 (county approval and a GoTriangle finance committee vote remain outstanding). The project team said it also expects final county and GoTriangle approvals this month as remaining funding pieces.

Council members asked whether the federal award was secure amid federal administration changes. Egan said the award came through the FTA bus and bus facilities competitive program and noted that the bipartisan infrastructure law had increased available formula and competitive funds; USDOT told staff it aims to have current awards reviewed and made by Jan. 20, 2025.

Staff said the station serves about 14,000 riders a day and framed the project as a signature transit investment for Durham. No contract award or final appropriation was approved at this meeting; the council had pulled the item for separate consideration and discussion of funding sources.

Next steps identified by staff included securing final county and regional approvals and returning with contract terms and guaranteed maximum price recommendations before an execution step.