Forty years ago BART changed the way people travel throughout the Bay Area and the system continues to grow, building on its four decades of success. BART is currently in the process of preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Review (DEIR) for a 4.8 mile system extension into Livermore that would run along I-580. It’s one of several BART projects in the works to help make a better, more extensive regional transit network. However, while extending BART into Livermore would certainly be a first, it isn’t exactly a new proposal.
Today’s proposed BART extension into Livermore. Image via: BART
In the spirit of the school of thought that everything old becomes new again, let’s look at a proposed Livermore extension– from 1976, only four years after BART launched service in the Bay Area!
Note BART running roughly along Stanley Boulevard rather than the I-580. Images via: Eric Fischer
Proposed extension of BART, from Livermore-Pleasanton BART Extension Study 1976. Images via: Eric Fischer
A whole host of proposed route alternatives of BART in east Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Map from Livermore-Pleasanton BART Extension Study, Final Report, July 1976. Images via: Eric Fischer
Examining the former proposals one can’t help but to wonder how regional transportation would be different today if BART had developed its system earlier or with different routes. We may not be able to change past decisions but we have the pleasure of seeing BART’s system unravel before us today to improve transportation for future generations.
