Union City Intermodal Station, Phase 1 Project, Union City
The Project
This project modifies the existing 14-acre one-side Union City BART Station by reconfiguring the existing BART surface parking lot, the one-way access road, the bus facility and station building. The new configuration will accommodate future commuter rail services, expanded transit services, a planned Transit Oriented Development (TOD) development and access for all modes- pedestrians, bicyclists, transit and vehicles to and from the existing BART Station.
The Challenges
The project required the nurturing of a project partnership between BART, AC Transit, Union City Transit, City staff (Community Development, Public Works and Redevelopment) and the consultant design team to determine and agree upon on the purpose and need for the project. In addition to the project partnerships, coordination with other transit providers and funding agencies including Dumbarton Express, Capitol Corridor, VTA, Dumbarton Commuter Rail, ACE, California High Speed Rail, Alameda County CMA, Sam Trans/Caltrain, FTA, Caltrans and MTCo were required to gain consensus in the planning and development of a intermodal station (rail, transit, bicyclists, pedestrians and vehicles) plan at this BART Station that would service both near-term transportation needs and future transportation needs surrounded by the planned 30-acre Union City Intermodal Station District TOD site.
The Results
A modified BART Station, which has overwhelming support by many local, regional, State and Federal agencies along with the local community. This intermodal project significantly improves access to and from the station for pedestrians/transit users and bicyclists, creates a 16-bus bay transit facility, improves circulation for buses and vehicles and enhances the front door to the Union City BART Station. Project enhancements include a 30-foot wide landscaped pedestrian corridor, a new transit canopy structure with a photovoltaic roof and an architecturally designed “block glass” entrance to the front door of the BART station along with relocated escalators to and from the southbound platform.