This new transit center in Lauderhill, Florida sits on 1.5 acres in the existing Lauderhill Mall includes three new buildings with 10 bus bays, a security office, public restroom and two platforms. The Transit Center will serve more than 8,000 passengers daily as a hub for the entire Broward County Transit Division’s fixed route bus fleet as well as the smaller coach and community buses. In addition to Lauderhill, Broward County Transit uses three other terminals, Broward Central Terminal, West Regional Terminal (Plantation), and Northeast Transit Center (Pompano Beach) to provide multimodal transportation and system-wide connections to the community. 

The two platform areas are covered with a flat roof to protect passengers from the elements. The canopy along State Road 7 (US 441) is an entrance feature providing a gathering space for those waiting to purchase bus passes. The west end of the parcel, opposite the mall entrance, has a separate, covered drop-off area. Two canopies will hold a solar array to help power a portion of the transit center. 

The canopies at the new transit center will be an important feature for travelers. Lauderhill, FL receives 63 inches of rain per year, 65% more than the US average. In additional to rainfall, large volumes of vehicle traffic will expose the new structures to corrosive exhaust fumes constantly. Selecting an adequate coating system is important for the longevity of the new structure and as a taxpayer funded facility, future costs would need to be kept to a minimum. 

In addition to functionality, the team wanted the canopies to blend with the colorful, vibrant surroundings. They knew paint or powder coatings would provide the aesthetic appeal, but the corrosion resistance and durability would be compromised. On the other hand, hot-dip galvanizing would provide the necessary protection, but wouldn’t match the desired color scheme. So, the team opted to use a duplex system satisfy all of their requirements. 

Utilizing hot-dip galvanizing and paint together in a duplex system provides a synergistic effect providing 1.5 to 2.3 times the lifespan of either system used alone. Furthermore, the blue top-coat pops against the mosaic architectural façade on the buildings. The supreme duplex coating system will beautifully protect the canopy from its environment and passengers from the elements in this vibrant transit center for years to come.