BART debuts glass canopy entrance

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) last week opened a new glass canopy entrance structure at its 19th Street Station in Oakland, Calif.

Illuminated by LED lights inside and out, the structure is designed to protect the station's newly-refurbished escalators from the elements and increase security.

It also features street-level screens that will display real-time arrival information.

"This canopy is part of our efforts to modernize our aging stations," said BART Director Robert Raburn in a press release. "It's bright, welcoming, and enhances escalator reliability while adding artistic elements to the neighborhood."

The new station design is part of a $2 million pilot program funded by Proposition 1B, which allocated money for a variety of state transportation projects. BART has plans to test similar canopy structures at two other stations.