Published Saturday, February 24, 2001, in the Contra Costa Times
Mini-trains an option in Livermore
BART officials unveil the proposal, which could link Altamont
Commuter Express with the Dublin-Pleasanton station
By Bonita Brewer
Times Staff Writer
LIVERMORE -- Carrying commuters on diesel-powered mini-trains from
Livermore to the Dublin-Pleasanton BART station may be an interim
solution to extending BART to Livermore, BART officials said this
week.
The concept, dubbed "tBART," was unveiled by BART General Manager
Thomas Margro during a discussion of options to the $900 million-plus
BART extension to Greenville Road. Light rail service could be in
place in three to five years at a cost of $200 million, officials
said.
Livermore Mayor Cathie Brown said she's ecstatic about the light-rail
idea, especially if the trains run through downtown Livermore.
"I love it; it's a great solution," Brown said, even while stressing
that she views the service as a stopgap until BART is extended to
Livermore.
"I want a commitment that we get BART to Livermore," Brown
said. "That's what we've been banking on, what we feel was promised
and what makes sense. But the reality is that it's out there a ways,
probably 20 years or more. It's a $900 million project and the money
is not there, and this (light rail) makes sense in the interim."
Although the concept must be fully studied, "light rail connecting to
(Altamont Commuter Express) and BART is a real alternative solution
to the congestion we're experiencing," Brown said.
The project would be similar to one being explored in East Contra
Costa County, which involves running mini-trains on existing tracks
from Antioch to the Bay Point and Concord BART stations.
But unlike Antioch's "eBART," the Livermore proposal would likely
involve substantial amounts of new railroad track. The small,
lightweight trains couldn't run on downtown tracks at the same time
as much-larger ACE trains because of safety regulations. An alignment
along the north side of Interstate 580 from Greenville Road to the
Dublin-Pleasanton BART station doesn't have existing tracks.
Trains would run at a maximum 75 mph every 15 to 20 minutes during
commute hours, with other off-peak service available.
The alignment generating the most local interest would go from
Greenville Road through downtown Livermore, west down Stanley
Boulevard and up El Charro Road to the existing BART station.
BART officials discussed tBART and the option of running buses down I-
580 express lanes and the I-580 Corridor Study Committee overseeing
an upcoming state-funded study of a Livermore BART extension and
other alternatives.
Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, a member of the committee,
expressed interest in the train idea.
"True, we're talking about spending $200 million for an interim
project, but, quite frankly, BART, outside of study money, has not
identified any money for the Livermore extension," Haggerty said.
"There are so many projects competing for federal money that this
seems the most viable option for the next 20 years. In the meantime,
everyone would be served by trying to protect the I-580 median for
BART."
BART board member Pete Snyder, who chairs the corridor study
committee, said everyone needs to decide up-front whether diesel
train service would be an interim or permanent alternative to BART,
particularly in light of the cost. Snyder said Caltrans has
determined it will cost $202 million to make way for BART in the
freeway median and still have enough right of way to build car-pool
lanes.
"I'm in favor of what people want to do as long as it can be done
reasonably and everyone understands where it fits in -- if it's
permanent, semi-permanent or just an interim measure," Snyder said.
Bonita Brewer covers Tri-Valley growth and transportation. Reach her
at 925-847-2120 or bbrewer@cctimes.com.
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