Caltrain is looking to expand accessibility to several key stations, including San Francisco’s 22nd Street stop, through a federal grant allowing the agency to make wheelchair-accessible upgrades.
During the Thursday, Feb. 1, Caltrain Board of Directors meeting, Executive Director Michelle Bouchard confirmed the team submitted a grant application that would make the 22nd Street station more compliant with the American Disabilities Act and would supply about $9 million out of the $11 million total projected cost.
“It was one of our largest ridership stations pre-pandemic .. and if we’re successful, it would make this station more accessible,” Bouchard said.
While regulations require key stations to be ADA-accessible, the 22nd Street stop currently does not qualify as such, although it is the only regular weekday service station without such functionality. Legacy stations built prior to certain years are exempt from some accessibility requirements, as are stations that continue to see freight movement, Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman said in an email.
Public commenters during the meeting said they were excited to know the agency is prioritizing better access. One commenter, Jeff Carter, said he has significantly seen the station grow in ridership since he started frequenting the stop in 1977. And Adina Levin, a member of the transportation advocacy group Friends of Caltrain, said the move would be welcome for those with and without physical disabilities.
“The current multiple sets of stairs are very inaccessible for people with disabilities, seniors and people with luggage and strollers and bicycles. So this is such a beneficial project that will make Caltrain usable by more people,” she said.
The move is part of an overall push to expand access to current and prospective passengers along the Caltrain corridor, with construction on similar improvements recently completed at South San Francisco and Hillsdale stations.
The 22nd Street station was built in the early 1900s, and because it is situated below ground level, riders must descend one of two staircases to get to the train tracks. Those with physical disabilities must use Bayshore or Fourth and King Street stations if deboarding in San Francisco. While some stations, such as Millbrae and San Mateo, have elevators, the 22nd Street project would add wheelchair-accessible ramps between the street and platform levels.
“The project will also provide wayfinding and increased safety improvements for riders with visual or auditory impairments, such as tactile strips, lighting, signage and accessible parking, as well as repaving work along the southbound platform,” Lieberman said.
Grant awards are expected to be announced in April.
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