BART kicks off construction on Concord station plaza

New construction and renovation at Concord station—once the end of the line for trains headed east when it first opened in 1973—kicked off today.

The renovations will provide the station plaza with a major makeover, and will include improved pedestrian access with a more prominent, raised crosswalk, an added bike lane, energy-efficient lighting, and an improved “kiss ‘n ride” zone for passengers (click here for aerial view and diagram).

Elected leaders from BART, CCTA, the city of Concord, and county officials praised the project and the improvements it will bring to the local aesthetic.

“Downtown Concord is a vibrant, growing area. It’s rapidly becoming a destination for more than just commuters, and these renovations will improve the customer experience and how people connect to our system,” said BART Director Joel Keller. “It’s a new era for BART, and as we rebuild we want to ensure we’re an attractive alternative to driving into the city.”

When completed, the plaza will provide a well-lit, comfortable, tree-lined environment for Concord Station riders, with improved illuminated signage to light riders’ way home at night.

The renovations total $3.2 million, with funding from a combination of Prop 1B, Measure J, and BART funds. The work is expected to take a year, wrapping up by summer 2018. Approximately 60 parking spaces have been relocated across the street while construction is underway.

Separate from this project, Concord Station is also slated to receive a bike station, where commuters can securely leave their bikes as they travel through the system. The bike station project’s budget is $700,000, with construction expected to be complete by winter 2018.