Projects

On March 14, 2019, the BART Board of Directors approved a $96.5 million contract for the Market Street Escalators Renovation Project, the largest escalator replacement contract in BART history. The project will replace and install 41 escalators at the Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, and Civic Center stations. Of these, 22 escalators will connect the street to the concourse, while 18 will connect the concourse to platforms. One street-level escalator at Civic Center will also be relocated to improve access near the Orpheum Theatre.

The project aims to improve rider safety and reliability, with a key contract requirement for the contractor to maintain a 96% reliability rate for the new escalators throughout the nearly 10-year contract term.

Phase Two of the escalator modernization program, funded by Measure RR, will replace an additional 38 escalators at Oakland's 12th St. and 19th St. stations and San Francisco’s 16th St./Mission and 24th St./Mission stations. Future phases will address the remaining 96 escalators across the system.

Complementing this effort, on January 23, 2020, the Board approved construction of 19 new street-level entrance canopies along Market Street in San Francisco, adding to two pilot canopies already in place. These 21 canopies are designed to shield escalators from weather and debris—extending equipment life and improving cleanliness and security. In Oakland, a similar canopy has already resulted in 30% less escalator downtime.

Each new canopy will feature:

• Real-time train arrival displays
• Retractable gates for after-hours security
• LED lighting and security cameras
• Public art elements
• A potential “living roof” at select locations

Together, these investments support BART’s goals of modernizing its stations, improving reliability, and enhancing the rider experience.

Refer to BART website for more project information:

https://www.bart.gov/about/planning/sfentrances

https://www.bart.gov/about/planning/sf-escalators