Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin on Wednesday will officially launch the construction of the city’s new $54 million Bus Rapid Transit System.

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The ceremony is scheduled to take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the FAX Terminal at Manchester Center, located near the intersection of Blackstone and Dayton avenues.

The system, which will encompass 15.7 miles, will feature a total of 27 stops, and will serve major shopping centers, hospitals and other significant destinations.

The transit line will connect all major north-south corridors, Blackstone Avenue, and a major east-west corridor, Ventura Avenue and Kings Canyon Road through downtown Fresno.

As part of the project’s price tag, the City of Fresno plans to spend about $11 million to purchase a fleet of new buses.

Formal construction is set to begin in mid-June with a projected date for start of service in the second half of next year.

Rep. Jim Costa, City Manager Bruce Rudd and City of Fresno Transportation Director Brian Marshall will also attend tomorrow’s ceremony.