Engineers Week 2025: BART engineers on the year’s big projects and why they’re proud to be a part of them
Every year, BART celebrates Engineers Week in recognition of the more than 180 engineers who are committed to imagining and executing the future of the BART system. BART is the Bay Area, and the future of our transportation system is deeply entwined with the future of this region. Our engineers provide us a roadmap for the fast-approaching horizon, reshaping how we experience and interact with our world.
BART is unique in that it’s home to many different engineering disciplines – construction, computer systems, electrical, mechanical, traction power, corrosion, and more! The projects our engineers undertake are like puzzles with hundreds of thousands of pieces, all of which must fit together just right to make a functioning whole. Our engineers’ ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness get this tough work done.
The theme of Engineers Week 2025 is Design Your Future – “both a call to action and a celebration of the limitless possibilities in engineering,” writes DiscoverE, which established Engineers Week more than 70 years ago. How far we’ve come!
In 2025, BART engineers are not just “designing” the future, but implementing it. It’s going to be a big year for BART, and so we reached out to the engineers themselves to tell you about some of the exciting projects BART has in store for 2025 and why they’re proud to be a part of it.
And speaking of the future – we're now looking for our 2025 class of engineering interns! Since 2018, BART has hired 15 internship participants as junior engineers, including four from last year’s program – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and gain hands-on, practical engineering experience.
Visit bart.gov/internships for information on eligibility and how to apply.
Next-Generation Fare Gates Project
BART has made the historic purchase of brand-new fare gates to be installed systemwide as part of its latest effort to improve the customer experience and overhaul safety in the system. The new fare gates bring a new look and improved experience, offering state-of-the-art technology that will boost safety by reducing fare evasion, enhancing access for people in wheelchairs and those who bring bikes and strollers on BART, and optimizing the reliability and maintenance needs of the fare gates.
A photo of the new fare gates at Embarcadero Station.
Michael Gerbracht, Senior Manager of Engineering Programs
"Creating an environment where passengers feel safe, comfortable, and are happy to ride our trains is crucial. The fare gates are something that riders from across the Bay Area have been excited to see implemented for years, and it is great to be able to deliver for them.
I am so proud of the way the team – and really the entire District - has stepped up to the challenge of delivering the new fare gates."
John Yen, Manager of Computer Systems Engineering
"The part I am personally proud of is our staff’s ability to stay flexible and adapt to changing project conditions and project complexity. There are a lot of varying site conditions and prep work by multiple disciplines (electrical, communications, buildings, etc.) before the new fare gates can be installed. This project effectively is rolling three projects into one!"
San Francisco Station Escalator and Canopy Project
The San Francisco Station Canopy Project will not only protect new escalators being installed from the wear-and-tear of elements like rain and wind-swept debris, but they will provide an added layer of station security and cleanliness through motorized gates that allow the entrances to be locked at street level when stations are closed. At present, 14 canopies have been completed, and three canopies are under construction, with an additional four canopies to be constructed in the future. The project is happening in concurrence with the San Francisco Station Escalator Replacement Project, which is installing and replacing a total of 45 escalators at Downtown San Francisco stations.
A photo of the new canopy at Embarcadero Station.
David Silva, Project Manager for the Market Street Canopies Project
"In addition to providing weather protection for patrons and escalators, the canopies assist with placemaking, providing easily recognizable entrances to the stations. They also feature real-time displays to provide patrons with train and bus schedule information as well as security features such as improved lighting, cameras, and grilles that secure the entrances at street level at night.
This project requires an enormous amount of coordination. I am very proud of how the entire project team has come together with the invaluable assistance of BART Government and Community Relations to keep the community, including neighboring businesses, rideshare companies, and other stakeholders informed about the project while working to understand and address their concerns."
Elliott Kolto, Principal Mechanical Engineer
"To date, the project has successfully completed the replacement of 17 escalators, with 24 remaining and three to six undergoing replacement at any given time. The new escalators are more modern and reliable with updated safety features, technology, and maintainability.
I am proud to be a part of this project and work with the team of engineers, maintenance, project management, and construction management, who are working so hard together to make this project successful and improve the customer experience."
Traction Power Substation Restoration and Construction
Traction power facilities take incoming power from PG&E and convert it to 1,000 Volts (V) Direct Current (DC) power for BART’s third-rail system. The facilities also monitor, regulate, and ensure safe distribution of power throughout the system. Two new power substations by Civic Center and Montgomery St. Stations will be coming online this year, and another substation east of the Transbay Tube is currently undergoing full renovation. BART is also upgrading and restoring substations, including the Oakland facility mentioned below.
A photo of 34.5kV cable replacement and fiber optic installation between the Coliseum and Union City.
Gordon Wong, Principal Electrical Engineer
"The restoration of Downtown Oakland’s KTT substation, which failed last year after experiencing a fault, allows trains to operate at full speed, reducing delay and transfer times at MacArthur and 19th Street Station.
Having the substation back in service allows for redundancy in the network; there are now multiple substations able to supply power to the area, meaning customers will have a faster, more streamlined experience.
I am proud to work with the dedicated members of engineering and maintenance, who share the common goal of making sure BART is working for those who rely on us."
East Bay Rail Replacement
BART is replacing aging track, among other rebuilding projects that impact reliability, with funding from voter-approved bond Measure RR. The equipment being replaced is decades-old and has outlived its design life.
Engineers on the Yellow Line trackway between Pleasant Hill and Concord stations.
Girish Koli, Senior Manager of Engineering Programs
"I am proud to be part of this project as it improves safety for BART staff and reduces the maintenance burden. It will also enhance customer experience by providing patrons with a smoother and quieter ride.
This project was added to my portfolio last year, and I’ve been amazed to see how much hard work, coordination, and dedication many staff members have devoted to ensuring this is a successful project for BART."
Zeeshan Ali, Division Manager Traction Power Engineering (Interim)
"Traction Power Engineering recently completed several projects that significantly enhance the reliability and safety of BART’s electrical infrastructure. These upgrades offer a more dependable, faster, and safer transit experience for riders across the Bay Area.
I am proud of myself and my team for the contributions we’ve made and continue to make in connecting Bay Area communities."