BART Celebration Marks Completion of Long Route to Warm Springs

Steady rain this morning failed to dampen enthusiasm among participants in a public celebration held at BART’s new Warm Springs/South Fremont station to christen the agency’s long-awaited Warm Springs Extension, which will open for service tomorrow, Saturday, March 25.

The $890 million Warm Springs Extension, which connects the new station with the 45-year-old Fremont station, comes in at more than $100 million under budget. In addition to serving a fast-growing community, the opening of the new station paves the way for BART to Silicon Valley, a 10-mile Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority project that’s under construction and expected to open for service later this year.

MTC Vice Chair and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, noting that funds administered by the Commission — including revenue from the $1 Regional Measure 2 bridge toll increase approved by Bay Area voters in 2004 — account for a large portion of the Warm Springs Extension funding package, remarked, “MTC is extraordinarily proud to be here today to witness the reward for nearly two decades of hard work. But none of us would be here today if the voters hadn’t consistently shown up when asked.”  

BART Director Tom Blalock, who serves Fremont and has been a leader in making the extension a reality, said, “The new station and 5.4 miles of new track will be a difference-maker in addressing the gridlock on interstates 880 and 680 by taking thousands of cars off the road each day. We’re also helping people reduce their carbon footprint by making the station fully accessible to pedestrians, bus riders and bike riders.”    

When the workweek begins Monday, BART will run 10-car trains between Warm Springs/South Fremont and Daly City each weekday morning during commute hours. The new station features 2,082 parking spots, including 42 solar-powered electronic vehicle charging stations as well as intermodal connections to AC Transit and private shuttles.

The solar panels installed on the roof of the station and on several parking canopies will produce more than enough energy to meet the station’s daytime power needs. Additionally, BART has installed bioswales that naturally filter silt and pollutants in surface run-off water before it enters the Bay watershed.

Accessibility was also key in the station’s design. The primary entry plaza is linked to pedestrian walkways and bike lanes. Warm Springs/South Fremont Station offers bike lockers and racks on the ground level and bike channels in stairways, making it easier for bicyclists to carry their bikes up and down.