Challenge in finding funding for BART to Livermore
After the passage of Measure "B" in 1986, it was possible to build the new BART Line to Dublin-Pleasanton. This was not just an extension, but a complete new line and the first of its type in the system. Residents of the Livermore Area have felt for years that they were entitled to the same treatment, and probably rightfully so. The problem is that there is not a "pot" of money to reach into for this purpose. A decision has been made to continue the line down the center of the freeway and make the extension ultimately terminate near Greenville Road and Highway 580. $453 million dollars has been identified by the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency for the purpose of rebuilding and realigning the freeway which would include High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes while preserving a median for the future installation of the continued BART extension. This would also allow for the creation of an "Express Bus" program as an interim measure until the rail line was completed. It is estimated, by todays figures, that the actual BART part of the program would cost an addditional $900 million to one billion dollars. The source for this amount of money has yet to be identified. As in the past, it will be important to continue to lobby all conceivable sources and options for these dollars so that this project may come to fruition.
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