Updated: Mapping Bay Area Transportation Mega Projects
Just last month we wrote about Bay Area Transportation Mega Projects, which featured a map of massive transportation projects under or awaiting construction. Readers chimed in about projects we skipped, so we thought it best to update the map. It now includes 15 of the largest projects that will, for better or worse, change the way we travel around our beloved bay region.
Central Subway
The 1.7-mile addition to the existing T-Third Street line will extend from San Francisco's SOMA district to Chinatown, with a transfer station at Union Square that will link to additional Muni lines and BART. The project is expected to be open for revenue service in 2018.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
At $6.4B, the replacement to the eastern half of the bay bridge has turned into the most expensive public works project in California history. The 2.2 mile span has faced multiple setbacks and cost overruns and may or may not open this Labor Day weekend.
Tom Lantos Tunnels
After 6 years of construction the Tom Lantos Tunnels, better known as the Devil's Slide Tunnel, opened to the public last month in Pacifica, CA. The 4,200 ft. twin-bore tunnels divert motorists from the dangerous 1.1 mile "Devils' Slide" stretch of Highway 1, known for crumbling into the Pacific Ocean during bad weather.
BART Downtown Stations Expansion
In order to accommodate growing ridership and planned service increases through the Transbay Tube, BART is planning to expand the Embarcadero and Montgomery stations. The extra platforms would allow up to 6 additional trains per hour in each direction, a 25 percent increase.
Transbay Transit Center
This massive reconstruction of the Transbay Transit Center will feature rail stations for both Caltrain and California High Speed Rail, as well as bus ramps for local and regional lines all under a 5.4-acre rooftop park. The Pelli Clarke Pelli-designed building is expected to be completed in 2017.
Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore
The fourth bore of the tunnel connecting Oakland to Contra Costa County is nearing completion. The new tunnel will allow 2 bores permanently in each direction, rather than flipping the direction of the center bore throughout the day, as is currently done. The 3,700 ft. tunnel is set to open near the end of this year.
Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit
The Van Ness BRT will provide bus only lanes, priority traffic signals, and platform boarding to buses traveling along Van Ness Avenue in order to reduce travel times by up to 32 percent. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016, with revenue service in 2018.
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
When completed, the SMART passenger train will run 70 miles from Cloverdale in Sonoma County to the Larkspur Ferry in Marin County. The first phase, from north Santa Rosa to downtown San Rafael is expected in late 2015-early 2016.
Presidio Parkway
The massive redesign of the seismically-unsafe Doyle Drive will produce The Presidio Parkway, a new expressway that will connect Lombard St to the Golden Gate Bridge. Features include an expanded roadway and 2 sets of tunnels that will submerge part of the roadway allowing for easier park access and enhanced views. The first phase of the project is complete, with final delivery expected in 2015.
Caltrain Downtown Extension
While not officially started or even funded, the 1.3 mile extension of Caltrain to the Transbay Transit Center has been made a top priority for funding by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, so we expect this one to get started eventually. The tunnel will be shared with high speed rail and is dependent on the electrification of Caltrain.
BART to San Jose
BART's $1.9B plan to expand have begun with the currently under construction 5.4-mile Warm Springs extension in south Fremont. This will be followed by a 16-mile extension into San Jose with a terminus near Berryessa Street, to be completed in 2018. A third, yet unfunded phase, would bring BART through downtown San Jose, and terminate at Diridon Station in San Jose.
Caltrain Electrification
Electrification of the diesel-powered Caltrain fleet is required to accommodate the future high speed blended-rail system, as well as allow underground access into downtown San Francisco. This will be integrated into a general upgrade of Caltrain's systems and is scheduled for completion in 2019.
Geary Corridor Bus Rapid Transit
Similar to the Van Ness BRT, this project is meant to speed up bus service along the dense Geary corridor. Still in the environmental review phase, if all goes well expect construction to begin in 2017, with a 2019 opening.
Ferry Terminal Expansion Project
Plans to expand the Ferry Terminal include adding 3 new berths for ferries, removal of piers 1/2 and 2, facility upgrades, and a new public plaza. This project could start as early as 2014.
San Leandro to Oakland BRT
Running from the San Leandro BART station to Uptown Oakland near the 19th Street BART station, this BRT service will be similar to those planned for San Francisco, including dedicated bus lanes. Expected to increase ridership along this popular East Bay corridor by 11,000 per day, this AC Transit line may open by 2016.
No comments:
Post a Comment