Sarnia council will consider awarding the contract to build the new Clearwater Transit Terminal on Monday.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the Transit Master Plan recommended relocating the existing transfer terminal on Murphy Road to the Wellington Street site.
"This is a plan that council's been working on for a number of years," said Bradley. "There will still be a stop at [Real Canadian] Superstore. But, what you'll see over by the Clearwater Arena is that eight buses can park there safely, and at the same time, and it will give the passengers a more safe and convenient means to transfer. It will also provide more amenities for our drivers, which is important too."
If the contract is awarded, construction is expected to start this summer.
"This is a good investment in the community. Over the years the focus of transit, until about two decades ago, was downtown. Because of the expansion of the community, because of the growth of the community especially on the eastern side, it's time to renew and invest in the transit facility," he said.
Bradley thinks the new terminal will better serve the community in the long term.
"That building will not be recognizable in a year or two, with the new transit facility there, with the creation of a new community hub, with the library relocating there from Lambton Mall," Bradley said.
There were 18 proponents registered for the bid and five provided submissions.
It's recommended council accept the lowest tender, submitted by Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozing Limited., for $2,955,000.
A renovation to accommodate an expanded library space at the Clearwater site was scheduled to start last month.