S.F. breaks ground on multi-modal transit center
Touted as the "Grand Central of the West", the center will serve more than 100,000 people per day through nine transportation systems once completed in 2014.
[IMAGE]Transbay-Transit-Center-full.jpg[/IMAGE]San Francisco's Transbay Joint Powers Authority broke ground Wednesday on the new Transbay Transit Center Program, a multi-modal transportation center touted as a “Grand Central of the West.”
The ceremony launched the first step of the project -- construction of a temporary facility that will serve bus passengers while the new center is under construction.
The Transbay Transit Center Program will replace the current Transbay Terminal with a new, multi-modal transportation center and centralize the region’s transportation network by accommodating nine transportation systems under one roof.
In addition to replacing the outdated Transbay Terminal with a modern transit hub, the project plan includes extending the Caltrain rail line 1.3 miles into the heart of the Financial District and redeveloping the area surrounding the center with 2,600 new homes (35 percent affordable), parks and a retail main street.
"The Transbay Transit Center Program is a critical part of San Francisco’s transit-first policy, and with today’s groundbreaking, we are one step closer to creating a truly sustainable City where our public transportation system works seamlessly to enhance the quality of life and economic health for San Franciscans," said Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Once completed in 2014, the Pelli Clarke Pelli-designed center will serve more than 100,000 people per day through nine transportation systems including AC Transit, Caltrain, MUNI, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, Greyhound, BART, WestCAT and the future California High-Speed Rail.
The center, which will have a LEED Silver rating, was designed to embrace the goals of green architecture and project an image of sustainability. The heart of the Transit Center is “City Park,” a 5.4-acre public park that will sit atop the facility and feature a living green roof.
Costs for the Transbay Transit Center and Caltrain Downtown Rail extension Program — funded through local, regional, state and federal sources — are estimated at $4.185 billion, escalated to the year of expenditure (YOE).
For more information about the project, visit www.transbaycenter.org
More Rail
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →
Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Launches New Sounder Railcars into Service
Alstom manufactured all the cars under a $46.5 million contract and came into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.
Read More →
Alstom Partners With Universities to Build Rail Talent Pipeline
The partnerships include a new engineering scholarship fund at Alfred State College in Western New York and collaborations with transportation centers at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Seattle’s Sound Transit Adopts Updated ST3 System Plan
The updated system plan incorporates cost savings across the agency, including new revenue sources and financial policies, to set the agency on a sustainable path for the future.
Read More →
Inside Look: EMBARK Expands Fare-Free Transit Program Through New Public-Private Partnership
The OKC transit agency says sponsorship helps subsidize the Third Friday Free initiative while reducing barriers for first-time riders and boosting ridership across buses, streetcars, and river cruises.
Read More →