BERKELEY -- The east parking lot at the Ashby BART station will be closed for a year-and-a-half starting next Monday.

Commuters who park at the station will have to drive to the lot on the other side of the station and leave their keys with an attendant.

BART says it's working hard to make sure it's ok. The transit agency says with the valet-style parking attendants can fit a lot more cars in the remaining lot.

Officials estimate only about 60 spaces will be lost, but BART is saying Monday may be a scramble as riders get used to the new system.

“Expect confusion the first week, because even though we sent out passenger bulletins and we've been talking about if a long time there will always be some people who don't realize what's happening,” said Linda Johnson, BART spokesperson.

What's happening is a major construction project-- the new Ed Roberts campus-- an independent living center for people with disabilities will be built here.

Once the project is done -- BART passengers will again be able to park in the area next to the new campus.

“During construction there will be virtually the same number of parking spaces as pre-construction, then post construction virtually the same number as pre-construction,” said Johnson.