BART seeks public comment on eastern Contra Costa extension

BART is accepting public comments on its proposal to build an extension between the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station and the City of Antioch.
 
The approximately $500 million extension, called "eBART" or eastern Contra Costa County BART, would add ten miles of trackway to the Pittsburg/Bay Point line.  The tracks would extend beyond the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station, go down the median of Highway 4 and end in Antioch. BART hopes to complete it in 2015.

There are two proposed stations – one at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg and another near Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch. Passengers would transfer off a BART train at Pittsburg/Bay Point Station and then board a waiting Diesel Multiple Unit, or DMU, train to ride to the other two stations. BARTtv News has produced a video showing the DMU technology and the cross-platform transfer.

"By using this technology we can deliver the much needed relief to the terrible traffic congestion in the Highway 4 corridor for Contra Costa County residents both quickly and at an affordable cost," BART Board President Gail Murray said. Murray represents many parts of Contra Costa County. "Using this technology means we won’t preclude full BART should we find future funding."

BART has released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), which the public can review and then submit comments to eBART planners. The document is available for download at www.ebartproject.org.  The public can find a list of frequently asked questions about the project there as well.
 
"BART will address the public’s comments from the DEIR when it releases the final EIR," BART Board Member Joel Keller said.  Keller represents many of the people who would use the proposed extension. "People have until November 5 to submit their remarks."
 
The public can also share their thoughts at two public hearings:

• October 13, 2008, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in Antioch
  Nick Rodriguez Community Center - 213 "F" Street Antioch, CA - Accessible on Tri-Delta Transit Routes 387 & 388
• October 16, 2008, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in Pittsburg
  City Council Chambers – Civic Center - 65 Civic Ave - Pittsburg, CA - Accessible on Tri-Delta Transit Routes 70 & 38