US$91.3-MILLION ESCALATOR CANOPY PRICE TAG CAUSES PAUSE

The US$91.3-million price tag for building 21 canopies over escalators at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations along Market Street in San Francisco is giving members of the Board of Supervisors pause, the San Francisco Examiner is among news outlets to report. Calling for further detail, the board’s Budget and Finance Committee halted funding on July 17, with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman describing the canopies as “fancy tents” that cost roughly US$5 million each. BART canopy Project Manager Mark Dana says materials price increases and lack of competitive bidding are driving up the cost. Sporting security cameras, digital displays and LED lighting, two of the canopies have already been built as part of BART’s plan to replace, install and protect 41 new escalators at Market Street stations.