By Lynda Myer
The process of extending BART into Downtown San Jose and Santa Clara is undergoing by award of US$375m (£304m) budget to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) by the State of California.
The funding is an important step for VTA to qualify for roughly US$4.6bn (£3.75bn) in a federal contribution, approximately 50% of the estimated project cost.
The design-build contract for the tunnel and track work has been granted to Kiewit Shea Traylor joint venture (KSTJV) in May 2022, while in order to digging an 8km (5-mile) tunnel beneath Downtown San Jose KSTJV plans to use an approximate 16.5m diameter TBM. As the first rail project in the US to be constructed by a single bore, it is allowing both tracks and station platforms to be constructed within the tunnel.
The results of an independent peer review, that was held in November and lad by the American Public Transportation Association, shows that due to saving construction time, decreasing the station footprint and property needs, increasing the potential for transit-oriented development, as well as reducing disruption to communities, a single-bore tunnel was the best option for the project.
The Phase II extension includes 9.6km of track and four stations to be added to the Phase I 16km alignment from the Warm Springs/South Fremont Station, through Milpitas and Berryessa/North San Jose.
With the permission of federal government, VTA is allowed to advance design on the project and start certain activities. The scheduled date for commencing early pre-construction activities is this spring, whereas the major construction is due to begin next year.
