eBART

eBART is an expansion for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system under construction in the East Bay. The plan calls for diesel multiple unit (DMU) light rail train service to be implemented from the existing Pittsburg/Bay Point station. Unlike the "traditional" rapid transit BART system which uses rails set to Indian gauge, eBART will be a standard gauge branch line not utilizing third rail power delivery, thus creating a break-of-gauge. The first phase of the expansion will proceed for approximately 10 miles (16 km) east along the State Route 4 corridor to the city of Antioch at a Hillcrest Avenue station. Revenue service is projected to begin by May 2018.

Planning

The DMU system was chosen as an alternative to the existing BART infrastructure because it was both less expensive and would more easily allow further extensions.

Initial planning had trains utilizing the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way that runs parallel to State Route 4. After Union Pacific declined to grant trackage rights or allow the construction of new tracks, the project was incorporated into widening of the highway.

Plans included an option for a station at Railroad Avenue station in Pittsburg, pending additional funding by the city.

Future expansions could connect the eBART service to Oakley, Brentwood, or Byron.

Funding and construction

A sales tax increase was approved by Contra Costa voters in 2004 in order to fund the expansion. The expansion was approved by the BART board in April 2009. Costs were set at $463 million, compared to an estimated $1.2 billion for full BART buildout. On October 14, 2010, BART issued a press release announcing that the agency had awarded a $26 million contract to West Bay Builders, of Novato, California, "to build the transfer platform and make some of the necessary rail improvements to begin extending the line to a terminus station at Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch." Construction began in early 2011.

Funding for the Pittsburg station was secured in early 2015.

Stations

Main article: List of Bay Area Rapid Transit stations

All eBART stations are in Contra Costa County.

Station	Jurisdiction	Opened	Other BART lines
Antioch	Antioch	2018
Pittsburg Center	Pittsburg	2018
Pittsburg / Bay Point	Pittsburg / Bay Point	1996

Rolling stock

Stadler GTW at Capital MetroRail in Austin

The vehicle procurement includes eight Stadler GTW trains, with two options to procure six more; the first will be delivered in June 2016. The Stadler GTW trains are diesel multiple units with 2/6 articulated power units, and are based on models previously used in Austin, Dallas and New Jersey.

External links

• East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART)