Infrastructure Improvements for Berkeley’s Amtrak Rail Stop Get Underway
Berkeley, California (February 25, 2005) The Berkeley Redevelopment Agency (BRA) announces the groundbreaking ceremony of the Berkeley Rail Stop and Transit Plaza Infrastructure Improvements Project on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 2:30 PM on the Berkeley Rail Stop platform at Third Street and University Avenue. The $2.4 Million project is funded by the BRA, Caltrans, and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. The project enhancements will focus on basic safety and security infrastructure improvements.
The rail stop is centrally located in West Berkeley at the west end of University Avenue adjacent to the former Southern Pacific Train Station and within easy walking distance of the landmark restaurants of Spenger’s and Brennan’s. Its close proximity to such regional draws as the popular Fourth Street retail district and the recently established Eastshore State Park make the rail stop an important transportation hub for the entire Bay Area.
The rail stop and transit plaza infrastructure upgrades include improving the nighttime safety lighting and access to the rail stop and transit area for people with disabilities; increasing rail stop, bicycle, bus, para-transit, shuttle and taxi signage; repaving and new striping for circulation lanes; widening of existing sidewalks; improving pavement, sidewalk and curbs; creating more ramps and bicycle parking; providing trash receptacles and public telephones; and installing more landscaping and benches.
The Berkeley Redevelopment Agency has been working on the Rail Stop and Transit Plaza project since 1997 when it was identified by the West Berkeley Project Area Commission and surrounding community as a major transportation focal point in critical need of upgrade and repair. Currently, there is an Amtrak ridership of approximately 200 passengers per day from the Berkeley Rail Stop. Ridership is expected to increase in the coming years with the completion of these infrastructure improvements and West Berkeley’s growing recreational and shopping attractions, as well as improve the transit experience for existing passengers. As Berkeley’s Mayor Tom Bates expressed, “I’m delighted that the Rail Stop and Transit Plaza project is finally proceeding. It will be a great improvement for all of the riders and another example of the City of Berkeley putting Transit First. And I appreciate all of the work staff has done to move the project forward.”
For more information about this event, please contact Iris Starr, Redevelopment Coordinator of the Berkeley Redevelopment Agency at (510) 981-7520.
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Contact:
Iris Starr
Berkeley Redevelopment Agency
2118 Milvia Street, 3rd Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-7418