BART Set To Remove Potentially Dangerous Trees From Train Tracks

UNION CITY, CA — Bay Area Rapid Transit has plans to move forward with what the agency is calling a "critical preventative maintenance effort" between Union City and Fremont this weekend.

On weekends beginning Aug. 26 and 27 and continuing Sept. 9 and 10 and Sept. 23 and 24, BART will be removing and cutting back trees that could potentially fall on the tracks during severe weather.

"The work is happening now so the trees with the greatest potential to impact BART are removed well before winter storms arrive in the Bay Area," BART said in a news release announcing the work. "Last year tree failure derailed two trains and delayed train service a minimum of seven times. Tens of thousands of riders were delayed during those incidents but luckily none resulted in injuries."

According to BART, service will be impacted as the work is being completed with delays of up to 30 minutes expected. Free buses will replace trains between Union City and Fremont on work weekends.

To lessen impacts on riders additional crews will be on hand during work weekends performing track improvements while tree trimming and removal is being performed.

Track improvements include replacing of worn rail, destressing rail so it can better cope with extreme temperatures, brightening stations, and other maintenance projects.

"This is the largest hazardous tree removal effort in BART’s history," BART said. "Ongoing identification and removal of hazardous trees will be required yearly to continue to mitigate risks of tree failure impacting service and endangering public safety."

While more tree removal work is expected in 2024 details for those projects is still being finalized, BART said.