BART unveils draft environmental report for Livermore extension

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has issued a draft environmental impact report for its proposed Livermore extension in California.

The project involes adding 5.5 miles of rail along Interstate-580 and building a new station. The extension would link an existing station in Pleasanton to a new one in Livermore.

The report evaluates the environmental impact of constructing the rail, as well as the new BART station, associated parking, and storage and maintenance facilities.

Building the extension would cost $1.6 billion, according to the project's website. The extension would be funded by local and regional sources.

The BART project team also developed conceptual plans for alternatives to the proposed project. The alternatives include creating a bus rapid transit route and using diesel multiple units on standard gauge tracks.

The agency will hold public meetings on the report Aug. 22 and 29.