There is a projected $10 million cost overrun for the completion of the South San Francisco ferry terminal that may force the elimination of a planned breakwater.
Published: February, 2007
South SF Ferry Terminal
A breakwater is, essentially, a stone reef that pokes above bay level in order to calm waters exposed to a long fetch. Eliminating the breakwater results in a $1.2 million cost savings, but could expose the new dock to weather hazards. The Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry installed a dock near the BART ventilation exhaust near the World Trade Center Club, without a breakwater; it was destroyed by weather in nine months. A breakwater was established near Gate E and has experienced no problems. The Water Transit Authority is exploring new sources of funding for South City’s terminal.
FasTrak Becomes Popular
In January, Bridge tolls were raised by yet another dollar, but those who were signed up or signed up in December for FasTrak got a one month reprieve. In December, signups rose from 300 to over 1,000. Drivers have started to realize that FasTrak transponders speed them through the toll booths. The January discount didn’t hurt either.
Caltrain Swears in New Member, Elects Officers
Caltrain (Peninsula Corridor) elected a new board at their last monthly meeting, which included San Jose City Council Member, Forrest Williams.
Baby Bullets On-time
Caltrain’s Baby Bullets, which skip certain stops have been credited with improving ridership by 13 percent, and achieving an on-time performance of nearly 95 percent.
Third Street Light Rail Opens, Partially
The new Third St. light rail line is open for partial service. Full service is scheduled for Apr. 7. This $667 million project is around $120 million over budget (mostly related to bridge enhancements), and nearly a year behind schedule. Some items are still not complete, including station shelters. The one completed glass shelter was destroyed by vandals, perhaps causing officials to re-think shelter design.
What is the Value of the Latest Toll Bridge Hike?
The additional $1 we are paying to cross our toll bridges is aimed at directing seismic repairs to prevent a catastrophic failure during a major seismic event. The dollar will be firmly directed at funding seismic repair on the bridge you are driving over. Nobody likes a toll hike, but this is one we have to live with.
BART Finally Experiencing SFO Ridership Increase
Nearly 52,000 people elected to take BART to the Airport (SFO) during the 2006 holiday season, which represents a 4.5 percent increase over last year at the same time and a 29 percent increase over the first year of service in 2003.
BART Board Elects Two Women
In December the BART Board of Directors unanimously elected two women to BART’s most powerful posts – Board President and Vice President. Newly elected President, Lynette Sweet and Vice President Gail Murray assumed their posts after the nine-member Board of Directors cast their votes at BART Headquarters in Oakland. President Sweet said she would use her position to lead BART into an era of better representation for women and minorities in the transit district’s upper management ranks.
