Alameda County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Smart Voter

Seismic Retrofit

By Roy Nakadegawa

Candidate for Director; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District; District 3

This information is provided by the candidate
If BART's needs are prioritized Seismic Retrofit should be the top capital item to implement.
The Board passed a motion stating -Seismic Retrofit (SR) is one of BART's top priority project-. The reason SR is the top project is when the major Earthquake strikes, the heart of BART, the oldest portion would probably be damaged to a degree where BART would be down and to restore service would take months. This is where the lines merge or cross, the heart of BART's system. After Loma Prieta quake, BART luckily was intact and able to provide the only service to San Francisco when the Bay Bridge was badly damaged. But, the center of Loma Prieta's 7.2 Earthquake was 50 miles away. BART may not be as fortunate after the next big Earthquake probably at a nearby fault. If we spent millions on extending BART, what good will these extensions be if the heart of BART collapses. Most all extension riders will use the inner city part of BART, yet, SR lingers while various BART extensions are receiving and commanding the limelight.

Santa Clara transit Measure A includes substantial funding for BART San Jose Extension. If it passes, VTA will have to arrange an agreement with BART for its operation and maintenance. Assemblyman Torlakson's Buy-In legislation did not pass, but, I will press for including some buy-in into the agreement for BART's SR and rehabbing our 29 year old inner system. The reason - San Jose extension users would take advantage and utilize parts of BART's old system and controls which is almost 30 years old which was paid for only by the 3 BART Counties and is in need of considerable system rehab and SR. Currently some portions are being rehabbed through existing funding paid by existing users and since Santa Clara extension will take advantage of it and use it, they should also help pay for it as well.

Meanwhile, most other public buildings and bridges are having SR with funds and grants from several sources so other funding may be available. In general I like to use funds on a pay as you go basis and not use bonds for bonds require interest making it cost 40-50% more. If however there are no other funding possible in the near future, I would agree to fund SR with bonds. And If BART utilizes bonds and San Jose's tax measure passes they should be included in paying off portions of the bonds.

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