Construction of a major apartment project at West Oakland BART station has begun, removing 240 of the 440 parking spaces used by commuters travelling into San Francisco and seeking to avoid Bay Bridge traffic.
The first phase of Mandela Station started on Monday, September 14, with only 200 spaces now available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eleven of the remaining spaces are reserved for disabled passengers. ([bart.gov](https://www.bart.gov/about/business/tod/westoakland))
The development will initially deliver a 240-home affordable housing building on the south-western part of the site. The wider West Oakland transit-oriented development is planned to include 762 homes, ground-floor shops, office space and improved walking and cycling links around the station. ([bart.gov](https://www.bart.gov/about/business/tod/westoakland))
The parking reduction is expected to affect commuters who drive to West Oakland before taking BART across the bay. The station’s weekday parking charge is $18, and BART’s latest information says spaces typically fill by 9am from Tuesday to Thursday.
Passengers will also face changes to other station facilities while the work is under way. Bicycle parking has been moved from the south side of the station to Seventh Street, while AC Transit buses have been redirected to the junction of Seventh Street and Mandela Parkway.
Pick-up and drop-off points have been relocated to Seventh Street at Chester Street for southbound journeys and Seventh Street at Center Street for westbound traffic. BART has advised passengers to check the revised access arrangements before travelling. ([bart.gov](https://www.bart.gov/stations/woak))
The remaining phases of Mandela Station are expected to add market-rate housing, retail units, offices, public open space and upgraded streets around the West Oakland BART station. The project is being developed on land that has largely been used for station parking. ([bart.gov](https://www.bart.gov/about/business/tod/westoakland))
