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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 Track workers
(BART)

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.

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