eBART
| eBART | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Diesel light rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | Bay Area Rapid Transit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Under construction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale |
East Bay Counties: Contra Costa Cities: Pittsburg, Bay Point, Antioch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termini |
Antioch Pittsburg / Bay Point | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 2018 (projected) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Character | grade separated in highway median | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 10 mi (16 km)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | no | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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eBART is an expansion for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system under construction in the East Bay. The plan calls for diesel multiple unit (DMU) light rail train service to be implemented from the existing Pittsburg/Bay Point station. Unlike the "traditional" rapid transit BART system which uses Indian gauge, eBART will be a standard gauge branch line not utilizing third rail power delivery,[2] thus creating a break-of-gauge.[1] The first phase of the expansion will proceed for approximately 10 miles (16 km) east along the State Route 4 corridor to the city of Antioch at a Hillcrest Avenue station.[3] Revenue service is projected to begin in 2018.[4]
Planning
The DMU system was chosen as an alternative to the existing third-rail BART design because it was both less expensive and would more easily allow further extensions. Initial planning included an option for a station at Railroad Avenue station in Pittsburg, pending additional funding by the city.
Future expansions could connect the eBART service to Oakley, Brentwood, or Byron.[5]
Funding and construction
Funding for this expansion was approved in April 2009.[6] On October 14, 2010, BART issued a press release announcing that the agency had awarded a $26 million contract to West Bay Builders, of Novato, California, "to build the transfer platform and make some of the necessary rail improvements to begin extending the line to a terminus station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch."[7] Construction began in early 2011.[1]
Funding for the Pittsburg station was secured in early 2015.[8]
Stations
All eBART stations are in Contra Costa County.
| Station | Jurisdiction | Opened | Other BART lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch | Antioch | 2018 | |
| Pittsburg Center | Pittsburg | 2018 | |
| Pittsburg / Bay Point | Pittsburg / Bay Point | 1996 |
Rolling stock
The vehicle procurement includes eight Stadler GTW trains, with two options to procure six more; the first will be delivered in June 2016.[9] The Stadler GTW trains are diesel multiple units with 2/6 articulated power units, and are based on models previously used in Austin, Dallas and New Jersey.[2][10]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART)". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). April 3, 2013. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- 1 2 "Stadler awarded eBART train contract". Railway Gazette (DVV Media UK). April 28, 2014. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
- ↑ "East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART) Alignment". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). January 25, 2013. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- ↑ "East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART) Chronology". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). June 11, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- ↑ CDM Smith. "eBART Next Segment Study" (pdf). Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ↑ "BART moves forward with $1 billion in extension projects". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). April 27, 2009. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
- ↑ "BART Board approves contract on Eastern Contra Costa County extension". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). October 14, 2010. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
- ↑ Gartrell, Nate (January 22, 2015). "Pittsburg secures last piece of funding for eBART, expect new station in 2018". Contra Costa Times (Digital First Media). Retrieved 2015-11-18.
- ↑ "East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART) Implementation". Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). May 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
- ↑ "Stadler Rail delivers trains to Oakland". Stadler Rail. April 26, 2014. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
