15 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND The BART to Livermore Extension Project is a proposal to extend the BART rail line by 5.5 miles along 1-580 from the existing Dublin/Pleasanton transit station to a new station located in the median of 1-580 at the Isabel Avenue interchange. This station would include a 3,400 space parking garage to the south of 1-580. BART staff has developed conceptual engineering plans and a project-level DEIR for the proposed project. The project-level DEIR builds upon the 2010 program-level EIR, which looked at ten alignment alternatives. The project-level EIR evaluates the construction of the BART rail extension, including the BART station, associated parking, storage and maintenance facilities. The BART project team also developed conceptual plans for alternatives to the proposed project. These alternatives include: • Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) or Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) • Express Bus/Bus Rapid Transit • Enhanced Bus • No project The proposed project and DMU/EMU alternative both include storage and maintenance facilities. The DEIR was released for public review on July 31, 2017. BART is seeking public input to assist the BART Board of Directors in their selection of a preferred extension plan. The BART Board anticipates making this decision in the spring of 2018. The BART Board has until June 30, 2018 to select a preferred alternative. If the Board is unable to meet this deadline, the newly formed Tri-Valley San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority will select the preferred alternative. The Tri-Valley San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority was created on January 1, 2018 by Assembly Bill 758. This Authority is tasked with planning, developing, and delivering cost-effective transit connectivity between BART and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter rail service. The Authority is required to complete a feasibility report by July 1, 2019 and, in order to meet this 18 month timeline, a preferred alternative for the Bart to Livermore project must be selected by June 30, 2018. Assembly Bill 758 gives the BART Board until June 30, 2018 to make this selection. DISCUSSION In general, the goal of the Bart to Livermore Extension Project is to improve the region's transit network to better serve the greater Bay Area. The project would reduce travel times and improve service reliability, thus increasing BART ridership from this part of the region, and ultimately reducing traffic congestion and vehicle miles traveled within the Tri-Valley. Page 2 of 4