4 ms·

Funny that BART got to SJ via the East Bay first, but I hope they make the most of it. This does complete a missing (edit: rail) link around the Bay -- though s

Funny that BART got to SJ via the East Bay first, but I hope they make the most of it. This does complete a missing (edit: rail) link around the Bay -- though sadly across three different transit systems. Some time ago I wrote that the geography of the Bay is unfortunate for transit in many ways [1] but notably because there's no express way to get from one side to the other; instead you have to travel along the Ring touching all stops between. One of the later plans of the HSR along the Caltrain corridor wants to operate it as a hybrid system (which sounds like a big deal, but really just means operating express and slow trains on the same corridor), which would greatly improve mobility between Downtown SF and SJ, as well as regions adjacent to those with zoned trains. Similarly, the Dumbarton Rail Corridor (between Fremont and Palo Alto) would provide a radial transbay option. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12283335 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12283335

ende 9y ago
When a large body of water is the primary geographical obstacle, investing in boats seems the logical choice.
- Sanddancer 9y ago
  There's already a ferry system in the bay to points where it's feasible to to put docks. However, much of the bay is less than ten feet deep, with gentle slopes, which make ferries to other points, especially in the south bay, difficult.
- sdenton4 9y ago
  Boats, as the saying goes, are holes in the water that you throw money into. It's generally better to invest up front on a bridge or tunnel. You wind up with a much, much lower cost for daily operations...
CaliforniaKarl 9y ago
It's worth noting that, at least during weekdays, you can "cut" the bottom of the bay off of your loop using the Dumbarton Express, which goes from Union City BART to Palo Alto Caltrain (ending at Stanford). It runs from ~5:30 or 6 AM to 7 or 8 PM. More info here: https://dumbartonexpress.com https://dumbartonexpress.com EDIT: To head off one complaint: Yes, it's an expensive trip ($4.20 one-way). But, if/when Dumbarton rail gets off the ground, I would expect it to cost the same or more.
Veratyr 9y ago
There's actually already what appears to be a complete but unused (unmaintained?) rail bridge running across the bay parallel to and slightly south of the Dumbarton bridge. I find it curious that it's never used considering how useful it could be.
- niftich 9y ago
  That's the Dumbarton Rail Bridge, built in 1910 and closed in 1982. The western trestle burned down in the 90s [1] and the swinging part of the span has been welded into a perma-open position. Several studies were done in the 90s and 2000s to restart rail service, including this 2004 one from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority [2]. The bridge itself would have to be significantly refurbished, replacing the movable span and various segments. [1] http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mysterious-Fire-On-Trestle-Probed-Rail-bridge-3016220.php http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mysterious-Fire-On-Trestl... [2] https://web.archive.org/web/20160318141356/http://www.smcta.com/Assets/Dumbarton+Rail+Corridor/documentation/DRC_PSR_Summary.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20160318141356/http://www.smcta....

ende 9y ago

When a large body of water is the primary geographical obstacle, investing in boats seems the logical choice.

Sanddancer 9y ago
There's already a ferry system in the bay to points where it's feasible to to put docks. However, much of the bay is less than ten feet deep, with gentle slopes, which make ferries to other points, especially in the south bay, difficult.
sdenton4 9y ago
Boats, as the saying goes, are holes in the water that you throw money into. It's generally better to invest up front on a bridge or tunnel. You wind up with a much, much lower cost for daily operations...

CaliforniaKarl 9y ago

It's worth noting that, at least during weekdays, you can "cut" the bottom of the bay off of your loop using the Dumbarton Express, which goes from Union City BART to Palo Alto Caltrain (ending at Stanford). It runs from ~5:30 or 6 AM to 7 or 8 PM. More info here: https://dumbartonexpress.com https://dumbartonexpress.com EDIT: To head off one complaint: Yes, it's an expensive trip ($4.20 one-way). But, if/when Dumbarton rail gets off the ground, I would expect it to cost the same or more.

Veratyr 9y ago

There's actually already what appears to be a complete but unused (unmaintained?) rail bridge running across the bay parallel to and slightly south of the Dumbarton bridge. I find it curious that it's never used considering how useful it could be.

niftich 9y ago
That's the Dumbarton Rail Bridge, built in 1910 and closed in 1982. The western trestle burned down in the 90s [1] and the swinging part of the span has been welded into a perma-open position. Several studies were done in the 90s and 2000s to restart rail service, including this 2004 one from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority [2]. The bridge itself would have to be significantly refurbished, replacing the movable span and various segments. [1] http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mysterious-Fire-On-Trestle-Probed-Rail-bridge-3016220.php http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mysterious-Fire-On-Trestl... [2] https://web.archive.org/web/20160318141356/http://www.smcta.com/Assets/Dumbarton+Rail+Corridor/documentation/DRC_PSR_Summary.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20160318141356/http://www.smcta....