+ BART story began in 1946—Bay Area facing a post-war migration to the area, and consequent automobile boom: How to ease mounting congestion clogging the bridges?
+ Solution—underwater tube devoted to high-speed electric trains
+ Plan was initially a five-county plan, to include Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Marin; San Mateo removed itself and then Marin
+ Completion of transbay tube structure in 1969 was a significant accomplishment of civil engineering: constructed in 57 sections and resting on bay floor as deep as 135 feet beneath surface
+ Financial difficulties and greater inflation than expected caused construction delays; finally, state legislature granted request for funds, levying sales of bonds pledged against tax revenues
+ First 250 transit cars cost $18 million more than original estimate for entire 450-car fleet
+ First segment of system to open was 28 miles between Fremont and MacArthur stations
+ Mid-1972, the District Board set Monday, Sept 11, 1972 as first day of revenue service
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