BART Board Approves Livermore Stations/Route

It’s still years away but a big preliminary step was taken when the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors approved station locations for a BART extension to Livermore. The Board approved stations in downtown Livermore and Vasco Road.

According to The Independent, the extension “would travel down I-580 from the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station to Portola Avenue where it would enter a subway under Portola Avenue and Junction Avenue to downtown Livermore. In the downtown, it would turn east, come back to the surface in the vicinity of the First Street overpass and follow a route along the rail-lines to Vasco Road.”

The route chosen was the one overwhelmingly supported by Livermore residents. BART officials stated that that support was critical in their decision. Property will need to be acquired, possibly through eminent domain proceedings. Much work is left to be done, not the least of which will be to fine the funding to pay for it. Given the current environment for funding large projects, it could be years before we actually see construction begin. But it’s nice to know they are working on it.

A BART station in downtown Livermore will help further fuel Livermore’s revitalization, coming on the heels of a revamped and greatly improved downtown, their continuing push to develop the regional arts and the ongoing growth of the area’s blossoming wine industry. That in turn, can only benefit other Tri-Valley communities like Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville by making the region a more attractive destination.