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On Monday, April 7, 2025, the south entrance to the Lake Merritt BART Station will be closed for the day to support the construction of affordable housing on the former BART parking lot.

The entrance being closed for the day is at the corner of Oak St. and 8th St. (see map). The elevator at this location will remain open. All other entrances to Lake Merritt Station will remain open.

For more information about the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project, visit:

bart.gov/about/business/tod/lakemerritt 

Photo courtesy Mandela Station Partners, LLC (MSP)

BART and our development partners, Mandela Station Partners LLC, are excited to start construction on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project at West Oakland Station this year. The TOD project, also known as Mandela Station, will include 762 new residential units, including 240 affordable units, retail and office space, a new bike station, improved bikeways, streetscape improvements, enhanced walking access to the station, and a new BART plaza. Phase 1 is currently scheduled to start in mid-2026 with the construction of 240 affordable housing units on the southwest portion of the station parking lot (labeled T1 in the above rendering).

As part of the required pre-construction activities, soil testing will take place Tuesday, February 10, through Tuesday, February 17, and will require temporary closures of portions of the BART parking lot. The West Oakland parking lot consists of nearly 440 parking spaces, and no more than 60 parking spaces will be taken offline at a time for soil testing. Given the high demand for parking at West Oakland Station, we encourage those who park there to plan ahead and arrive earlier, consider parking at another BART station, or consider biking or taking transit to the station.

Larger lot closures to begin mid-2026

The development team will take the results from soil testing to inform environmental remediation work needed and future construction phasing. Construction activities that will begin in mid-2026 will require the temporary closure of approximately 300 parking spaces (out of 440 total). A portion of these spaces will be restored when construction is completed, while approximately 200 of the 300 affected by construction will be permanently removed as part of the approved development project. 

Reserved parking to be phased out soon

Reserved Parking at the station will be phased out this spring prior to construction. Daily Fee parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis during and after construction. We will provide additional details on the construction date and phased lot closures on bart.gov/parking. 

We want to be transparent about this now so those who drive and park at West Oakland can start looking into alternatives for the change later this year. 

You can learn more about the upcoming TOD project by visiting this page: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) - West Oakland.

Figure 1. Temporary Parking Closures 2/10 - 2/17

BART’s safety initiative to remove potentially hazardous trees in advance of severe winter storms will next focus on Contra Costa County. To provide workers with enough room to safely do the work, free buses will replace trains between Pleasant Hill and Concord stations on 2 non-consecutive weekends in October. The work dates are October 14-15 and October 28-29. Riders in the area should anticipate delays of up to 30 minutes on work weekends. Riders in the area on work weekends will have to get off their train at either Pleasant Hill or Concord and then board a free bus provided by County Connection to the next station in their direction of travel to continue their trip.

San Francisco-bound riders who want to avoid the bus bridge should start their trips at Pleasant Hill. On each night of the weekend shutdowns the last scheduled departure from Antioch to Concord that normally leaves at 11:48 pm will be cancelled. Riders traveling westbound from Antioch must catch the earlier train at 11:28 pm each night.

BART will make the most of the time when this segment of the system will be closed by also working on trackway improvements. You can learn more about BART’s safety initiative to remove potentially dangerous trees on the project page.

You can keep up with the latest updates for trackway repair projects that impact service by going to our Alerts and Advisories page. BART’s Trip Planner has been improved to show the full customer journey including bus bridges. You can also check Real Time Departures for your station of choice.

12:45pm update: The extended single tracking from MacArthur to Richmond stations has been cancelled and the unplanned trackside equipment problem has been resolved. BART is still single tracking as planned between Downtown Berkeley and El Cerrito Plaza stations to allow City of Albany workers to safely manage vegetation near the BART tracks. 

9:30am update: The single tracking area has been extended to MacArthur to Richmond due to an unplanned trackside equipment problem. We are also requiring a transfer at MacArthur to complete your Orange line trip.  This is causing longer delays of up to one hour.  We are very sorry. 

On Sunday, September 28, BART will reduce service from two tracks to one between Downtown Berkeley and El Cerrito Plaza stations to allow City of Albany workers to safely manage vegetation near the BART tracks. The work will happen from 7am through 8pm. Riders in the area should anticipate delays of 20-25 minutes. There will also be no Red Line service for the day. 

Transbay riders leaving Richmond can instead take an Orange Line-Berryessa bound train and transfer at MacArthur Station to a Yellow Line-San Francisco bound train. Peninsula riders wanting to go to Richmond can take a Yellow Line-Antioch bound train and transfer at MacArthur to an Orange Line-Richmond bound train.

For service to and from Millbrae Station, a train will run between Millbrae and SFO stations, requiring a transfer to complete your trip.

*This notice was posted on September 12, 2025.

BART service was temporarily interrupted this morning between West Oakland and 24th St. Mission stations due to a datacenter hardware failure. The failure temporarily resulted in a loss of visibility from the Operations Control Center and train service in the area was temporarily stopped for just shy of an hour. BART crews quickly identified the root issue and were able to re-route communications to another device, which allowed for the restoration of service. The incident began at approximately 8am and service was restored around 9am. In response to the disruption the SF Bay Ferry added an extra unscheduled ferry trip, and Muni was providing free rides for impacted BART riders.

Following robust public outreach and technical and business case analysis, the BART Board of Directors voted to advance the Link 21 Program as a standard-gauge rail project that is part of the California State Rail Plan and a series of projects to be advanced by the state, while seeking federal funding. It will also be considered by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board on June 18, 2025. 

At the core of Link21 is a new transbay passenger train crossing between Oakland and San Francisco that would transform train travel options in the Northern California Megaregion. The decision to use standard-gauge tracks like most other inner-city and regional rail systems across the county, as opposed to BART’s unique broad-gauge tracks, will complement the state’s vision for a connected train network throughout the Bay Area, the northern California Megaregion, and ultimately the entire state.  Standard-gauge can accommodate modern, zero-emission passenger trains and the new crossing will improve regional rail connections and build upon ongoing rail investments across Northern California. It also opens the door to compete for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID Program to plan and fund future intercity passenger rail projects.

The day-to-day management of the Link21 Project will now be managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), in coordination with the State Transportation Agency. BART staff will continue to provide support, as will the other standard-gauge rail operators who could potentially operate through the new crossing, and other train facility owners throughout the Megaregion. 

“This change will help ensure effective coordination and maintain momentum as the program moves into its next phase,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of CCJPA. “As the project progresses, CCJPA, BART, and other key stakeholders will continue to collaborate to make sure Link21 contributes to the region’s long-term transportation and climate goals.”

Over the next several years, stakeholders will move forward with defining a Proposed Project for the new standard-gauge rail crossing between Oakland and San Francisco and advancing the environmental review, including identifying alternatives and outreach. A funding plan will be developed in concert with the state and federal government to advance Link21 and other related projects through the Corridor ID Program. 

The Link21 Program is a generational transportation initiative that is called for in two separate Bay Area regional measures (Regional Measure 3 and BART Measure RR), the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area) long-term transportation plan (Plan Bay Area 2050), and the California State Rail Plan. This project is designed to enhance the passenger experience, expand rail capacity, and contribute to the overall economic and environmental health of the Northern California Megaregion. 

The installation of Next Generation Fare Gates is scheduled to begin February 21 at Lafayette Station. The installation process is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete for each of the station’s two sets of gates. 

The opposite set of gates will remain in service during the installation. The work will not impact train service, but riders may experience a few extra minutes wait to pass through the fare gates during peak travel hours.

The latest work comes after BART has successfully installed Next Generation Fare Gates at 18 other stations across the system. All 50 BART stations will have new fare gates by the end of 2025. You can learn more about BART’s Next Generation Fare Gate project here.

Starting September 16, 2024, our exciting project to develop the land around Lake Merritt Station to include affordable and market-rate housing, offices, and retail space will officially begin. To accommodate this Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project, the parking lot will be permanently closed starting September 16, 2024. 

The lot is available for Daily Fee parking on a first-come, first-served basis until September 15. Daily Fee parking payment is required Monday-Friday, 4am-3pm, except on BART holidays. Pay for Daily Fee parking with the BART Official App or remember your stall number and pay inside the station via cash, credit, or debit. 

Reserved parking is available at Fruitvale Station, MacArthur Station and many other BART locations with parking.

This article was originally posted on August 14, 2024

(3/3/26 Update): The rail destressing work that had been scheduled for March 5-6 has been postponed. The next scheduled work for this project is March 19-21.

BART is performing rail destressing on the Yellow Line in Contra Costa County. To create a safe work space for our crews, BART will reduce service from two tracks to one while the work is taking place. The work is scheduled to start at midnight and continue until BART service begins the next morning. Riders can anticipate delays of 20-25 minutes on work nights. The next location for this rail maintenance work is between North Concord and Pittsburg/Bay Point stations March 19-21, 2026.

Dates scheduled for this project include:

*March 19-21

*April 2-4

*April 23-25

*May 14-16

*May 28-30

UPDATE March 4. 2024

There will be a short construction phase at Fremont that will affect bus locations for two AC Transit lines from Monday 3/4 to Wednesday 3/6. 

During this time, the following bus lines only will move: 

• AC Transit line 251 will be in bay C2
• AC Transit line 212 will be in bay C3

All employer shuttles will be in bays C4 and C5. On 3/7, they will return to their regular locations: 

• Line 251 will return to bay B4 
• Line 212 will return to bay B5 

UPDATE December 29, 2023

The next phase of work at Fremont will start on January 15th and will last 2-3 weeks. Buses will move locations on January 19th. During construction, all pedestrian detours will be accessible (see map below). 

On the West side of the station: 

• The central portion of the passenger loading zone on the station side of the roadway will be closed for construction and pedestrian detours around the construction. 
• Accessible loading will be located on the side farther from the station entrance. 
• A temporary crosswalk will be installed on the south side of the loading zone providing an accessible path to the temporary accessible loading and parking. 
• A portion of accessible parking south of the station will also be closed for construction. 
• A temporary accessible parking area is be installed in the small parking area next to the passenger loading area. This will remain for all phases of construction.  

On the East side of the station:  

• The passenger loading zone will be closed for construction. Passenger loading will take place just north of this. 
• An accessible pedestrian detour will be provided at the location of the stairs to the lower plaza and station entrance. 
• There will be no construction in the bus area during this phase. Buses will return to their normal locations.     Please check signs and/or the list below for the location of your bus. 

AC Transit/Stanford Marguerite Buses: 

• Line 99: B2 (B1 overflow)
• Line 200: A3 (A2 overflow)
• Line 212: B5
• Line 215: A1
• Line 216 (Union City  BART): A5
• Line 216 (Silliman Recreation Center): A6 
• Line 217: A4
• Line 232: A8
• Line 239: A7
• Line 251: B4
• Line 707: A4
• Line 801: A3
• Line U and Stanford Marguerite Lines AE-F, EB: C1

Employer shuttles: C5

UPDATE December 11, 2023:

The next phase of work at Fremont will start on December 12th and will last approximately 3 weeks.

During construction, all pedestrian detours will be accessible. 

On the West side of the station, taxis will return to their permanent location, and the north portion of the passenger loading zone and a section of accessible parking will be closed for construction. A temporary accessible parking area will be installed in the small parking area next to the passenger loading area. This will remain for all phases of construction.  

On the East side of the station, construction will close bus bays A1, A2, B1, B3, and B4, and will require the relocation of most bus routes (see map below). Please check signs and/or the list below for the location of your bus. 

AC Transit/Stanford Marguerite Buses: 

• Line 99: C1
• Line 200: A3 (A4 overflow)
• Line 212: C4
• Line 215: B2
• Line 216  (Union City  BART): A5
• Line 216 (Silliman Recreation Center): A6
• Line 217: A8
• Line 232: B6
• Line 239: A7
• Line 251: B5
• Line 707: A8
• Line 801: A3
• Line U and Stanford Marguerite Lines AE-F, EB: C3

Employer shuttles: C5

The Accessibility Improvement Program (AIP) will improve accessibility in and around BART stations to better meet the needs of people with disabilities, including replacement or upgrade of ramps, sidewalks and accessible paths, bus and passenger loading zones, as well as handrails, wall protrusion detection, wheelchair-accessible phones, TTY devices, courtesy phones, and elevator lobby lighting.

The work at Fremont Station will be done in phases with full completion by Spring 2024.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve access to the BART Station. 

UPDATE November 9, 2023: 

The next phase of work at Fremont will start on November 13th and will last approximately 4 weeks.

During construction, all pedestrian detours will be accessible. On the West side of the station, taxis will be moved to the end of the loading zone on the right as you exit the station and the accessible loading zone will shift slightly. Some accessible parking will be closed, and a temporary accessible parking area will be installed in the small parking area next to the passenger loading area. This will remain for all phases of construction.  

On the East side of the station, construction will close bus bays A3, A4, and will require the relocation of most bus routes. Please check signs and/or the list below for the location of your bus. AC Transit/Stanford Marguerite Buses will be relocated to the following bus bays: 

• Line 99: B2 (no change)
• Line 200: A2
• Line 212: C4
• Line 215: B3
• Line 216  (Union City  BART): A5
• Line 216 (Silliman Recreation Center): A6
• Line 217: A8
• Line 232: C3
• Line 239: A7
• Line 251: B4 (no change)
• Line 707: A8
• Line 801: A2
• Line U and Stanford Marguerite Lines AE-F, EB: C1 (no change)

Employer shuttles: C2, C5, B5 (Check with your shuttle operator)

The Accessibility Improvement Program (AIP) will improve accessibility in and around BART stations to better meet the needs of people with disabilities, including replacement or upgrade of ramps, sidewalks and accessible paths, bus and passenger loading zones, as well as handrails, wall protrusion detection, wheelchair-accessible phones, TTY devices, courtesy phones, and elevator lobby lighting.

The work at Fremont Station will be done in phases with full completion by Spring 2024.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve access to the BART Station. 

NOTE: The information below was originally posted on October 6, 2023

Construction for the first phase of the Fremont Station Accessibility Improvements Project will begin on Thursday, October 12, 2023 and last for approximately 5 weeks. 

During this first phase, work will take place primarily on the west side of the station. Taxis will be moved to the end of the loading zone on the right as customers exit the station. The accessible loading zone will shift slightly. Some accessible parking will be closed and a temporary accessible parking area will be available in the small parking area next to the passenger loading area (see map). On the east side, sidewalk work will take place in the remote parking lots north of the station entrance.

All pedestrian detours will be accessible and temporary wayfinding signage will be posted to direct customers.

The Accessibility Improvement Program (AIP) will improve accessibility in and around BART stations to better meet the needs of people with disabilities, including replacement or upgrade of ramps, sidewalks and accessible paths, bus and passenger loading zones, as well as handrails, wall protrusion detection, wheelchair-accessible phones, TTY devices, courtesy phones, and elevator lobby lighting.

The work at Fremont Station will be done in phases with full completion by Spring 2024.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve access to the BART Station.