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The Link21 Program is making progress toward its goal of creating a faster, more connected train system across the 21-county Northern California Megaregion that provides equitable, affordable, and accessible travel for future generations. One key aspect is building a second underground train crossing of the San Francisco Bay, allowing riders to travel to various destinations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento area, Monterey Bay area, and Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Link21 recently completed an exciting analysis of the different benefits that standard-gauge (Regional Rail) and broad-gauge (BART) train technologies can provide to the region through this project. This Program milestone will determine which technology should operate in the new crossing as an important step toward defining a project that will provide riders with enhanced and more reliable travel options.

Through the spring and early summer, Link21 is on an informational roadshow sharing analysis findings that demonstrate how the two technologies provide similar benefits and where they differ in terms of service, equitable outcomes, connections, and operations.

“Link21 will make investments to offer more train service for future generations to thrive, connect, and flourish in our vibrant Megaregion,” said Link21 Program Director Sadie Graham. “The community and stakeholder engagement we do now and the decisions we make will help ensure the project delivers accessible, reliable, and environmentally conscious transit solutions that will benefit our communities for years to come."

Virtual Community Meetings

Register at Link21Program.org/events to attend a meeting via Zoom and hear a presentation from Link21 Team members.

• Thursday, June 6, 2024 | 6-7:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 10, 2024 | 6-7:30 p.m.

Meetings will be interpreted in Spanish and Cantonese. To request American Sign Language and other accommodations, email [email protected] or call 855-905-Link (5465) at least three days in advance of the meeting date. 

Online Open House

Visit Link21OpenHouse.com anytime 24/7, starting in mid-June, to conveniently participate when it works for you, whether it’s from the comfort of your own home or while commuting on the train. The Online Open House will be available for several weeks.

Can’t make the events? Link21 will be in local communities. Visit Link21Program.org/events for more information.

About Link21

Link21 is a long-range transportation program sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. Together with partners, Link21 will transform the train system within the 21-county Northern California Megaregion, which includes the greater San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay area, the Sacramento area, and the Northern San Joaquin Valley.  

Link21 will make it more convenient for people to take BART and Regional Rail (commuter, intercity, and high-sped train service) throughout the Megaregion. 

Learn more at Link21Program.org.

The two projects transforming entrances at downtown San Francisco BART stations made significant progress in the first month of 2025.

A newly rebuilt escalator at Civic Center Station connecting the platform to the concourse level opened on Friday, January 31st. Soon, work will begin to replace another platform at the station, the last of the four platform escalators to be completely rebuilt. 

Earlier in the month, a brand-new canopy opened at Embarcadero Station. The canopy protects the entrance on the north side of Market Street near Drumm Street. Work is already underway on a new canopy across Market Street near Main Street. 

Meantime, broken glass panels at some of the canopies are being replaced. A total of two dozen panels at Embarcadero, Powell St. and Montgomery St. Stations were vandalized late last year and a suspected perpetrator was arrested

Embarcadero’s panels were replaced the last week of January and the panels at Powell St. and Montgomery St. are expected to be installed in February. The total cost of replacing all the damaged panels is estimated at more than $500,000. 

BART is in the midst of a seven-year project to install 22 canopies above the four downtown San Francisco stations. The canopies protect new escalators being installed and improve the rider experience by providing an added layer of station security and cleanliness through motorized gates that allow the entrances to be locked at street level when stations are closed. 

UPDATE: Monday, July 15, 2024

The elevator was put back in service on Monday, July 15, 2024 just before 3pm.

UPDATE: Monday, July 15, 2024

Due to unforeseen issues, the estimated return to service date for the elevator is Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 

The concourse to platform elevator at Powell St. Station will be taken out of service on Monday, July 8, 2024 for emergency replacement of cables. The elevator is expected to be back in service by Friday, July 12, 2024.

This is the only concourse to BART and Muni platform elevator at Powell St. Station. Riders will not be able to access the Powell St. Station platforms via elevator from the concourse or street level, nor exit the Powell St. Station platforms via elevator to get to the concourse or street levels.

We recommend riders use the Civic Center or Montgomery Street stations as alternatives. Powell Street Station is 0.4 miles away from Civic Center Station and 0.5 miles away from Montgomery Street Station. Riders can use Muni at street level to travel to and from the Civic Center and Montgomery Street stations. To check if an elevator is in service before arriving at a station, please call 510-834-LIFT (510-834-5438) or 888-2-ELEVAT (888-235-3828), or sign up for elevator status alerts at www.bart.gov/elevators.

If you arrive at any station and find that the elevator(s) are out of service, you may contact a Station Agent to arrange for a lift van to take you to a nearby station with a working elevator.

We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Updated September 21, 2023

The Embarcadero Station entrance at Market and Davis streets is expected to open Tuesday, September 26th will remain upon completion of Phase II work on a new canopy.

Updated September 15, 2023

The Embarcadero Station entrance at Market and Davis streets will remain be closed until at least September 21st as Phase II work on a new canopy continues.

Updated August 31, 2023

The Embarcadero Station entrance at Market and Davis streets will be closed for up to three weeks for the Phase II work on a newly opened canopy. The Phase II work includes installing an access door, new glass panels, and a luminated handrail. The new entrance canopy protects  our escalator at this entrance from the elements to help limit breakdowns.

Original bulletin

On Monday, August 28 the Embarcadero Station entrance at Market and Davis streets will be closed for up to one week for the Phase II work on a newly opened canopy. The Phase II work includes installing an access door, new glass panels, and a luminated handrail. The new entrance canopy protects our escalator at this entrance from the elements to help limit breakdowns.

While this entrance is closed, patrons will still be able to use one of the other entrances to the station. Entrances open during construction include Pine and Market streets as well as Drumm and Market streets.

Over the next 4-5 years BART will construct 16 canopies on Market Street over downtown station entrances.  As part of a separate project, new escalators will be installed at each of these locations following the canopy construction.  In addition to protecting new escalators the canopies will improve safety and reduce station maintenance costs.

We thank you for your patience as we work to complete this important construction project.  For more information on this project visit: bart.gov/about/planning/sfentrances.

05/06/25 - Photos from the All Aboard press conference in front of the San Francisco Bay Ferry that brought transit leaders together in a bold show of force to urgently highlight the critical need for public transit across the Bay Area. BART General Manager Bob Powers joined leadership of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, SF Muni, SF Bay Ferry, Caltrain, AC Transit and more at 1 Ferry Plaza to help mark All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day.

Bay Area transit agencies in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Bay Area Air District are encouraging residents to ride transit on Tuesday, May 6, for All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day, coinciding with the start of Spare the Air summer smog season.

All Aboard Transit Day encourages people to get out and ride transit – or perhaps try it for the first time – as more people return to the office and as transit ridership grows. 

Remote work has had a significant impact on transit ridership and the fare revenue agencies rely on. Bay Area transit agencies have used federal and state pandemic emergency funds to prevent drastic service cuts, enhance safety and cleanliness on their systems, and to improve interagency schedule coordination to reduce travel times.

On All Aboard Transit Day, local transit agencies are showcasing their improved service and customer experiences. 

“Many people have not yet experienced BART’s new trains, fare gates, and safety patrols, as well as our cleaner trains and stations,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “We hope the Bay Area will join us in riding transit on May 6 to witness firsthand the improvements we’ve made and how enjoyable the transit experience can be.”

Tuesday, May 6, was chosen for All Aboard Transit Day because this day of the week has seen not only high transit ridership in the Bay Area, but also significant traffic on freeways, bridges, and roadways. 

“With spring in full bloom, more people are going more places,” noted Pleasant Hill Mayor and Metropolitan Transportation Commission Chair Sue Noack. “MTC encourages folks to take more of these trips by bus, train or ferry. We’re working with transit agencies all over the Bay Area to help them meet their funding challenges and to make the rider experience more comfortable and more convenient. All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day is a great chance to support our transit agencies and to see what’s new.”

“Muni riders experience firsthand our commitment to safe, reliable, and accessible transit,” said Julie Kirschbaum, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “More people are choosing Muni, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that public transit continues to connect communities across the city.”

“Taking the bus, train or ferry instead of driving is one of the most impactful ways Bay Area residents can help reduce air pollution and protect public health,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Bay Area Air District. “As we head into smog season, All Aboard Bay Area Transit Day is a great reminder that clean air starts with each of us making a simple choice.”

“Faster trips, more trains, and a smoother, quieter ride — Caltrain’s new electric trains deliver a better experience for riders and a cleaner future for our communities,” said Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain Executive Director. “Every ride helps cut pollution and protect the Bay Area for generations to come. We invite everyone to hop on board and experience the difference.”

“Local transit is the backbone of the Bay Area’s thriving economy, and SamTrans is proud to celebrate alongside our fellow agencies as we see ridership climbing throughout the region,” said SamTrans General Manager/CEO April Chan. “We’ve experienced tremendous growth ourselves and were recently honored by our peers as one of the best transit systems in the nation. With more routes, frequent service, free WiFi, and convenient on-demand options, there’s never been a better time to hop on board SamTrans!”

On May 6, transit agencies will offer free stickers and other swag items to riders throughout the day to thank them for riding, while also soliciting their feedback. 

MTC and Bay Area transit agencies have a joint website to share the various projects they are coordinating on to improve transit. Learn more at allaboardbayarea.com.