New time-lapse video shows around the clock track rebuild at Hayward Station

BART crews worked around the clock on four recent weekends to complete a critical track replacement project near the Hayward Station.  The team made the most of its time in the trackway by replacing four switches, which allow trains to safely move from one track to another.  They also replaced hundreds of badly worn wooden ties and 650 tons of rock ballast, which is essential for stabilizing the rail.  

Many of the track components replaced were nearly 50 years old and had outlived their design lives.  Work is continuing near Hayward Station through December to complete the project.  Much of that work is happening during evening and overnight hours when BART is not in service but the remaining construction does not require any additional track closures that would impact riders.

Next track rebuilding project to happen in Richmond

BART is targeting stretches of trackway in the system that are in the greatest need of replacement and prioritizing work on those sections.  The next segment scheduled for replacement is near the Richmond Station.  Preliminary work for the project is scheduled to begin in October and will require four weekend track shutdowns near the Richmond Station starting in mid-January.  The four shutdown weekends are scheduled for January 16-18, January 30-31, February 13-15, and February 27-28.  Free buses will replace train service on those weekends between the Richmond and El Cerrito del Norte stations.

Track rebuilding work is supported by voter-approved Measure RR, which provides $3.5 billion to support BART’s efforts to replace its critical infrastructure.  Since the approval of Measure RR by District voters in 2016 BART has successfully completed major track replacement projects in Lafayette, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, and West Oakland.