Eight canopy bus shelters designed, fabricated and installed by Birdair, Inc. are a prominent part of the First Street Transit Gallery in Long Beach, Calif.
The newly designed shelters feature approximately 6,440 square feet of PTFE fiberglass membrane. The curved 38 by 21 foot canopies mimic the waves of the nearby Pacific Ocean while providing shade and protection for 25,000 transit passengers each day.
Each shelter includes a digital transit schedule that shows when buses are arriving in real-time. The bus shelters also display photography and poetry by local artists. Sidewalks along the transit mall between shelters feature new landscaping and ocean-inspired tile mosaics created by San Diego artist Robin Brailsford.
The PTFE, Teflon-coated woven fiberglass membrane is immune to UV rays, waterproof and flame resistant. PTFE fiberglass reflects the sun's energy while allowing natural daylight to pass through.
"The PTFE fiberglass membrane canopies provide visual appeal and functional benefits for the First Street Transit Gallery," explains Michele Roth, marketing manager for Birdair. "The beautiful canopies offer a welcoming look to downtown Long Beach while providing shade and protection for passengers. The fabric membrane is long-lasting, durable and requires minimal maintenance to retain its pristine look."
The First Street Transit Gallery regional transportation hub services the Metro Blue Line, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Long Beach Transit, city of Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Torrance Transit, accommodating approximately 29 million commuters per year.
The First Street Transit Gallery modernization was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and also includes the addition of an information center with a touch screen kiosk, public restrooms and multicolored night lighting.
In addition to Birdair, the project team included architect MIG of Berkeley, CA and general contractor Fast Track Construction of Culver City, CA. Long Beach Transit of Long Beach, CA is the owner.
