Bois Forte gets grant for new transit facility

In the bitter cold, sometimes Bois Forte has to leave their buses running all night long, to make sure they’ll make it to their runs the next day.

That’s because they don’t have an indoor facility. But that’s about to change.

The reservation got a $9.5 million dollar USDOT grant to help build a new transit facility.

It will feature a non-traditional design to parallel park buses and maximize the use of space.

Plus there are other unique parts of the project. Jennie Rowland, transportation manager, explains. “”We are going to add hiking/biking trails to connect to the school. a joint plaza, raised garden beds, meeting rooms, solar panels, and solar energy storage batteries.”

There will also be a new bus wash and work bay for maintenance, according to a press release from Senator Tina Smith.

Rowland hopes they can break ground in the spring.

Smith’s office also said Bois Forte is getting nearly $740,000 for low-emission buses and filling stations.