Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Embarcadero Elevator topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SFCTA amends grant for Embarcadero Station elevator; BART to deliver project in two phases
Summary
The Transportation Authority amended a Prop K grant and OBAG Cycle 2 project listing to reflect a phased delivery for the Embarcadero Station north-side elevator: phase 1 (under $25 million) is fully funded and will proceed to construction; phase 2 (about $30 million) will proceed when BART secures additional funding.
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority on Oct. 7 approved an amendment to the Prop K standard grant agreement and the OBAG Cycle 2 project list to allow Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to deliver the Embarcadero Station north-side elevator project in two phases.
Amelia Wally, senior program analyst, said the original 2017–18 OBAG allocation included $2 million for the project and a 2019 Prop K allocation added $1 million. When the project was bid in 2019, proposals came in about 75 to 100 percent higher than estimates, and the COVID‑19 pandemic and constrained contractor pools further affected costs and schedule. BART restructured the scope so phase 1 would prioritize south-stair modernization and relocation of a machine room using existing funds; Wally said phase 1 is estimated just under $25 million and all funds needed for that phase are secured. Phase 1 advertising is planned by the end of the calendar year, with construction open for use by September 2029.
Phase 2 would add the new north-side elevator, a new machine room and widening of the north stairs, with an estimated cost of $30 million that BART will fund after securing additional sources, Wally said. She added that Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) staff support the Transportation Authority’s requested amendment; MTC is expected to act on a related TIP amendment later in the month.
Chair Mirna Melgar said she appreciated the presentation but expressed disappointment the current approach did not deliver a single elevator from platform to street level. "I do want to express disappointment… I had hoped that we would replace, you know, have a new elevator that went all the way up to the street level," Melgar said, while acknowledging the constrained costs environment.
The board moved and approved the amendment. BART staff and project managers were present to answer questions during the discussion; staff said the phased approach will deliver some accessibility and modernization benefits sooner while BART pursues funding for the full scope.
