It’s no secret that BART’s elevators can be filthy – and part of that problem stems from shortcomings surrounding the original design and building material. Differently abled riders people with luggage shouldn’t have to hold their noses to get where they need to go, so to better serve our customers BART will begin to clean and replace the flooring in all 127 passenger elevators starting Aug. 24.
The work will be done in stages during the week on elevators in both parking garages and stations through December 2016. This means elevators will be removed from service when the work moves to that station, requiring people dependent on elevators to change transportation plans on the dates work is being done.
BART strongly advises that riders check before travel if the elevator is in service at both the home and destination stations.
The first closures are as follows:
- Pleasant Hill Parking Garage Aug. 24 – 28
- Lafayette Station Sept. 18 – 23
- Walnut Creek Station Sept. 24 – 29
- 12th Street Station Oakland Sept. 30 – Oct. 5
- 19th Street Station Oakland Oct. 6 – 9
BART has selected a high quality aluminum diamond-plate flooring to replace the current material, which readily absorbs liquids and odors that can corrode and damage underlying structures. After tearing out the old flooring, technicians will thoroughly clean, disinfect, and repair the entire elevator, including any areas under the floor that have been damaged by urine or liquid intrusion. The new flooring will then be installed, and the floor completely sealed to prevent this problem from reoccurring.
The full schedule of closures will be updated as new information becomes available, as will the phone lines listed above and LED signs on Station Agent booths.
