BART's Station Modernization Program supports improved access, safety and security, and customer experience. Our efforts range from station glow ups to full-scale station upgrades. This page highlights capital projects and consolidates conceptual plans that were developed for selected stations.
Capital Projects
This section describes construction efforts that are in progress, upcoming, or completed.
In Progress
San Francisco Station Escalator Replacement
The Market Street Escalators Renovation Project will install and replace escalators at Embarcadero, Montgomery St., Powell St., and Civic Center Stations. Of the escalators to be replaced, 22 are street-to-concourse level and 18 connect the concourses with station platforms. Additionally, a street level escalator at Civic Center Station will be installed at the entrance nearest to the Orpheum Theatre.
San Francisco Station Canopy Project
The San Francisco Station Canopy Project is installing overhead protection of street entrances at Embarcadero, Montgomery St., Powell St., and Civic Center Stations. The canopies will protect the new escalators being installed to reduce their downtime and add new features at 19 street-level entrances in addition to the two that were previously constructed under a pilot project.
Station Glow-Ups in San Mateo County
Implementation of various key improvements began in December 2025. These station glow-ups will result in LED lighting installations and roof upgrades at Colma and Millbrae stations while those at South San Francisco and San Bruno will receive these treatments in addition to specialized cleaning. Bus shelters in disrepair at the Colma and South San Francisco will be removed. More information found at December 4, 2025, news article.
Public Address (PA) System
The District’s Public Address (PA) System consists of dated equipment that needs replacement. This project will update speakers, amplifiers, and controllers to improve sound quality and speech intelligibility for PA announcements.
Digital System Sign (DSS) Upgrades
Building on lessons from the DSS Modernization Pilot Project, BART is developing a new system to replace obsolete platform signs with modern displays.
Lighting Upgrades
BART is advancing its use of energy-efficient lighting at stations and their parking facilities by incorporating efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, fixtures, smart controls, and/or daylighting. More information found at bart.gov/sustainability/energy.
Upcoming
Concord Station Lighting Modernization
This station will receive updated LED lighting at the concourse and platform levels in 2026 in addition to a modernized emergency lighting system. More information found at the Concord Station Modernization page.
Completed
19th Street Station Modernization (completed 2023)
This project included consolidating the three paid areas into one continuous area, upgrading and reopening passenger restrooms, installing LED lighting and modern glass fare barriers, a new elevator at the north end of the station, and delightful illuminated artworks in the stairwells, among other features.
Powell Street Station Modernization (completed 2022)
This project included upgrading and reopening passenger restrooms, installing LED lighting and modern glass fare barriers, a modern metallic grid ceiling, a new external canopy, and the installation of the iconic illuminated ceiling artwork, “Elysium," among other features.
El Cerrito del Norte Station Modernization (completed 2021)
This project included expanding the paid areas, new elevators and stairwells, new passenger restrooms, accessibility upgrades, installing LED lighting, and the extraordinary “El Cerrito Homes” wall murals, among other features.
Balboa Park Plaza and Loading Improvements (completed 2023)
In partnership with the developer team for Balboa Park Upper Yard and city agencies, the passenger loading area and plaza were redesigned and implemented.
Concord Plaza and Bus Intermodal (completed 2018)
The west side of the station area was improved to provide a more direct walking and biking access to Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord as well as improving the bus intermodal.
Planning and Design
This section describes planning or design efforts that are in progress, upcoming, or completed.
In Progress
Lake Merritt Plaza Upgrade
BART is working to secure funding to upgrade Lake Merritt Plaza—an exciting opportunity to modernize the open space, enhance its role as a transportation hub, and support the vision of the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan adopted by the City of Oakland in 2014.
Upcoming
16th Street Plaza Upgrade
BART will begin working on redesigning the plazas based on input from the November 5, 2025, Community Open House.
Completed
Modernization plans have been conceptualized for 11 stations, as shown below in alphabetical order. Using these plans, some stations were completely modernized, some are or will be partially upgraded, while some await funding opportunities for design and implementation.
It’s important to note that many of the station modernization concepts were developed when BART needed to upgrade their stations to accommodate growing ridership demand, which peaked between 2010 and 2020. Ridership demand has since decreased such that implementation as some of the stations could be scaled back and/or reprioritized.
You can access the plan by clicking on the title below.
- 19th Street/Oakland BART Station Modernization Program Conceptual Design Plan (2014)
- Civic Center Station Modernization Plan (2016)
- Coliseum BART Station Modernization Program: Conceptual Design Plan (2016)
- Concord Station Modernization Conceptual Design (2016)
- Downtown Berkeley BART Station Design Concept and Modernization Plan (2017)
- El Cerrito Plaza and Del Norte Stations Modernization Concept Plans (2013)
- Embarcadero-Montgomery Stations: Capacity and Modernization Implementation Plan (2016)
- Powell Street BART Station Modernization Program (2015)
- Walnut Creek Station Modernization & TOD Access Improvements Project (2019)