By Lynda Myer
The authority for implementing the first series of construction contracts for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSVII) Project, was issued to the General Manager/CEO by the Santa Clara Valley (VTA) Board of Directors at its May 5th regular board meeting. The value of this first Contract Package, that is for the Tunnel and Trackwork (CP2) and a Progressive Design-Build Contract with Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST), is a Joint Venture in the amount of $235,000,000.
Comprising of 2 stages, this contract Package (CP2) in Stage 1will include activities such as investigation of innovations, engineering and design, open-book cost estimates, and the work schedule, while its operating date is expected to be May 2022 through approximately December 2023 and it is setting the stage for major construction (Stage 2) which includes boring the tunnel under downtown San Jose.
Three other contracts to be considered in the future will be for the Systems, Stations, and the Santa Clara Station and Maintenance Yard.
Including three stations with underground platforms (28th Street/Little Portugal, Downtown San José, and Diridon), one ground-level station (Santa Clara), a train maintenance and storage facility at Newhall Yard, and additional facilities, VTA’s BSVII Project is a six-mile, four-station extension that is going to bring BART service from Berryessa/North San José through downtown San José to the City of Santa Clara. Five of the six-mile alignment is planned to be constructed in a large diameter single-bore tunnel, with the remaining one-mile at-grade rail.
Additionally, in order to review previously completed assessments comparing single and twin-bore tunnel methodologies, in a parallel track moving forward with the initial contract work, the Board has approved their request.
For more details on this project please visit their website.
