BART celebrated the completion of the extensive modernization project at the 19th Street/Oakland Station in January 2023, unveiling significant upgrades designed to transform the station experience for daily commuters and visitors alike. This ambitious project, building upon the framework of BART’s 2014 Station Modernization Plan, has delivered a host of improvements aimed at boosting station capacity, easing congestion, improving accessibility, promoting energy efficiency, curbing fare evasion, and ultimately elevating the overall customer journey through the bustling 19th Street Oakland transit hub.
The revitalized 19th Street Oakland BART station now boasts a series of key enhancements, each contributing to a more welcoming, efficient, and secure environment. Among the most notable improvements is the complete renovation and reopening of the public restrooms situated on the concourse level. This welcomed amenity, initially reopened in February 2022, addresses a crucial need for station users. Furthermore, the entire station has undergone a lighting overhaul, with existing fixtures replaced by modern, energy-efficient LED lighting. This upgrade has dramatically brightened all areas of the station, creating a safer and more inviting atmosphere throughout the 19th street oakland station.
The aesthetic and functional upgrades continue with the installation of sleek new glass railings and fare barriers. These modern additions not only contribute to a more contemporary and welcoming visual appeal but also enhance safety and cleanliness. Specifically, the glass barriers replacing brick walls along staircases eliminate hidden corners, improving visibility and security within the stairwells. A significant reconfiguration of the concourse area has streamlined passenger flow. The previous three separate paid zones have been consolidated into a single, continuous paid area. This redesign simplifies navigation within the station and makes locating the reopened restrooms far more convenient for all users passing through 19th street oakland.
Further improvements to fare control and accessibility are evident throughout the station. A new fare gate array has been installed at the south end, effectively enclosing the concourse-to-platform elevator within the paid area, enhancing security and fare compliance. The paid area has also been expanded at the north end of the station, incorporating a new station agent booth and additional, modern fare gates. Accessibility is further enhanced by the addition of a brand-new elevator at the north end platform, ensuring seamless access for all passengers, including those with mobility challenges.
Beyond these structural and functional upgrades, the 19th street oakland station has also received attention to detail in its finishing touches. Repairs to the terrazzo flooring and ceramic wall tiles have restored and refreshed the station’s surfaces. For cyclists, interior bike parking has been expanded, and the addition of bike stair channels makes navigating staircases with bicycles significantly easier. Adding an artistic dimension to the improved station environment, new public art installations have been incorporated throughout. Light boxes, created by a team of talented artists, illuminate the stairwells, adding vibrancy and visual interest to the commuter experience at 19th street oakland.
The artists contributing to the revitalized aesthetic of the 19th Street Station include: Ron M. Saunders, Phillip Hua, Lisa and Hailey Banks, Julio Martinez, and Merge Conception Design. These artists have brought their creative visions to the station, enhancing the daily commute with engaging and thoughtful artwork.
The comprehensive modernization of the 19th Street Oakland BART station was made possible through a combination of funding sources, reflecting a collaborative effort to enhance public transportation infrastructure. Funding was provided by the State of California Proposition 1B funds, BART Measure RR funds, Caltrans (STIP) funds, Alameda CTC Measure BB funds, and a Federal Department of Transportation TIGER Grant. This project is also a key component of the broader GO Uptown initiative in partnership with the City of Oakland, underscoring the station’s importance within the urban landscape. With substantial construction concluding in late 2022, the modernized 19th Street Oakland BART station now stands as a testament to BART’s commitment to providing a superior transit experience for its ridership.
The initial vision for this transformation was laid out in the 2014 19th Street/Oakland Station Modernization Plan, which aimed to create a long-term strategy for upgrading the station’s functionality, safety, capacity, sustainability, appearance, and overall customer experience. This phased plan is being implemented as funding becomes available, with the recently completed project marking a significant milestone in this ongoing commitment to improvement. Passenger input played a crucial role in shaping the modernization plan. BART conducted in-station events and online surveys in June 2014, gathering feedback from over 629 participants. Survey respondents prioritized improvements such as maintaining and upgrading infrastructure functionality, enhancing station cleanliness, and upgrading station lighting, all of which have been addressed in this recent modernization project at the 19th street oakland station, resulting in a significantly improved transit hub for the community.
