BART Closures Planned for 12 Upcoming Weekends: Complete Closure List
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Ever notice how BART trains slow down on certain sections of track? They do that because the 40-year-old wooden ties are so old they could come loose at higher speeds, potentially causing a train to not only derail, but go plummeting off the elevated tracks as nearly happened during a 2014 derailment at one of the problem sections in Concord.
According to a federal report, tracks like those used by BART have an expected lifespan of 25-years, but most of BART's tracks are more than 40-years-old. Now, 15 years after that period, BART is beginning several closures to repair and upgrade the sections of track.
BART writes, "A switch (which allows the trains to be guided from one track to another) is in very bad shape, requiring trains currently to reduce speed in the area for safety. In addition, the wooden ties between the tracks are very worn out. "
Many of the wooden ties are completely rotted out.
The first of 12 closures of the Fruitvale to Coliseum tracks began Easter Sunday, and the next will be in two weeks, on April 18th and 19th, depending on the Warriors playoff game schedule.
CLOSURES BETWEEN FRUITVALE AND COLISEUM:
Date | Track Work Times |
April 5 | All day Sunday |
April 18*-19* | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
April 25-26 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
May 2-3 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
May 9-10 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
May 23-25 | Starts Saturday at 6am and all day Sunday to 8am Monday |
June 5-7 | Starts Friday at 7pm and all day Sat & Sun |
June 13-14 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
July 11-12 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
July 18-19 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
Aug 1-2 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
August 15-16 | Starts Saturday at 7pm and all day Sunday |
FULL DETAILS: BART Statement On Track Work
BART officials say that similar work needs to be done near the Daly City, San Leandro, and Bayfair stations.