The Butler Transit Authority’s compressed natural gas fueling station is expected to be operational before the end of the year.

The recent installation of a canopy over the bus fueling pumps is the latest step toward putting the station into operation, John Paul, authority executive director, told the authority board of directors Tuesday.

Work on the station is slightly ahead of schedule and should be completed in early December, Paul said.

A compressor, dryer and tanks for the gas were installed over the summer.

The fueling station is one of 29 public transit projects costing a total of $84.5 million that is being funded and constructed under the state Department of Transportation’s Public-Private partnership project run by The Trillium CNG team. The station is being built and will be maintained by Trillium at no cost to the authority.

Opening the station will save the authority the $7,500 monthly lease payments it is making for the temporary fueling station the buses currently use.