CARTS – Eastside Bus Plaza (Richard Moya Eastside Plaza)
Location: Austin, Texas
Owner: Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS)
Project Type: Transit Facility / Site Development
Project Description
G. Hyatt Construction completed the Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza, a transit facility designed to improve rider experience while integrating sustainable site development practices within an urban environment. The project transformed a previously underutilized roadway median into a functional public transit hub serving more than 600 daily riders.
The plaza is centered around a circular passenger station, with pedestrian-friendly gathering spaces, landscaped waiting areas, and integrated stormwater management features. It enhances accessibility, comfort, and connectivity between rural transit routes and central Austin.
Scope of Work
Work included construction of the central bus plaza, pedestrian pathways, site utilities, hardscape improvements, landscaping, and installation of site amenities such as seating and gathering spaces.
The project also involved extensive site grading and drainage improvements, with stormwater managed through passive systems integrated into the overall site design.
Key Features
The project incorporates multiple sustainable design elements aligned with SITES certification standards and Austin Energy Green Building requirements.
Passive stormwater management features include rain gardens, vegetated swales, permeable paving, and detention areas designed to retain stormwater from a 100-year storm event.
Landscape Improvements
Landscape improvements included the installation of native plantings aligned with the historic Blackland Prairie ecosystem, enhancing biodiversity and long-term sustainability. Over 3,600 plants and numerous trees were added to provide shade, visual interest, and habitat within the urban environment. Soil restoration included removing unsuitable material and installing engineered planting soils to support native species and improve long-term performance.
Site amenities include shaded waiting areas, seating, and open spaces designed to support both daily transit use and future community programming.
Challenges & Solutions
The project required careful coordination of grading, drainage, and planting systems to meet sustainability goals while ensuring constructability and long-term durability. Integrated stormwater features were designed to function as both infrastructure and landscape elements, requiring precise sequencing and coordination across trades.
Outcome
The completed Eastside Bus Plaza delivers a durable, functional transit hub that improves connectivity between rural communities and central Austin. It enhances the user experience while contributing sustainable infrastructure and landscape improvements that provide lasting value to the community.
