BART to Shut Down Fremont Line For Repairs

FREMONT, CA -The ongoing service disruption on BART won't keep the agency from shutting down part of the Fremont line later this month, BART officials say.

The shutdown this weekend, March 26 and 27, will be the first of this year's weekend shutdowns to repair and replace track. The work on the Fremont line between the San Leandro and Bay Fair stations will require six weekend shutdowns between the end of March and the middle of June.

The schedule of the shutdowns may change depending on the Golden State Warriors' playoff schedule, BART officials said. Later this year repairs are planned for an area near BART's Hayward maintenance complex and on a section of track between Daly City and Balboa Park.

In the BART system 90 of the total 210 miles of rail need to be replaced, BART spokesman Taylor Huckaby said. "A lot of work needs to be done everywhere," Huckaby said.

Much of the BART system is original 1972 infrastructure, including the section to be repaired on the Fremont line.

Crews will replace 2,000 feet of rail, more than 950 wooden ties and other components on the Fremont line, BART officials said. Eight miles of track is scheduled for repair this fiscal year at an estimated cost of $20 million.

AC Transit District buses will offer service between Bay Fair and San Leandro stations during the shutdown, according to BART officials. Fifteen buses will operate during peak weekend travel hours. Passengers should add 30 to 60 minutes to their travel time if they use the bus bridge.

BART employees who speak English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese will be on hand to help people get to their destination, BART officials said.

--Bay City News