BART to Livermore Phase 1 Concept Update
The Tri-Valley Regional Rail Policy Working Group met yesterday afternoon and received updates regarding the California High Speed Rail/Altamont Corridor Rail Project and the Alameda County Measure B Reauthorization. The focus of the meeting was an update regarding the BART to Livermore Phase 1 Concept.
Because of the high price tag associated with extending BART to Livermore ($3.83 billion), the district’s current strategy, which was unveiled by Board Director John McPartland before the Tri-Valley Regional Rail Policy Working Group on July 26, 2011, is to implement a first phase extension. While the initial vision was to construct a temporary limited-access transfer station as far east as funds would allow, a more robust plan was unveiled at yesterday’s meeting. Below are some of the key facts about the Phase 1 Concept Plan:
The extension would run within the I-580 median to a station at the new Isabel Avenue/I-580 Interchange
Station design would accommodate “seamless” transfers between bus and BART
The station would also accommodate pedestrian, bicyclist and drop-off/pick-up access, as well as a limited number of parking spaces (current estimate is 2,500)
The current capital cost estimate for the Phase 1 Concept Plan is $1.15 billion, which is only 30% of the full extension cost; however, this value will be refined as the project is developed.
The next step is to kick off the environmental review, conceptual engineering and preparation of a ridership development plan. The environmental review will consider other viable alternatives, such as cheaper, alternative rail technology or an extensive bus system in place of rail service, and will occur over the next two years. The attached Fact Sheet provides a rendering of the proposed station at the Isabel Avenue/I-580 Interchange.