Caltrain Board authorizes release of electrification design build RFP

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The Caltrain Board of Directors authorized the release of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) Design Build Request for Proposals (RFP), which is the next step in the design and construction of the project to electrify the Caltrain system. Electrification, a $1.5-billion project, is expected to be operational late in 2020.

 

With this this action, six previously qualified firms now can provide proposals for the contract to design and construct the project. The action also specifically directs the winning bidder to design the project in a way that minimizes tree impacts and addresses other issues important to communities along the corridor.

The electrification project calls for the installation of poles to support overhead wires that will power a new fleet of electric trains. Ten traction power facilities will be constructed to provide electricity to the wires.

The RFP requires that the project be designed to include alternative pole configurations, such as a center-pole design, to significantly reduce the impact on trees. During the environmental review period, Caltrain applied these alternative designs to five test cases. In one case, the number of trees required for removal was reduced from 50 to 14 using the alternative design. The design alternative will be used unless physical conditions, existing utilities or other extenuating circumstances require a different approach.

The RFP will be formally released later in February. Once bids are received an extensive review process will then take place with the award of the contract scheduled for late 2015.

In addition to trees, another key topic for communities along the corridor is the final location of the project’s traction power facilities. This action on the RFP confirms the locations of traction power facilities for the following jurisdictions: South San Francisco, San Francisco, San Mateo, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.

The selection of the options was based on technical feasibility and local jurisdiction preferences. The remaining final traction power facility locations in San Jose, San Mateo County and Burlingame will be selected after additional coordination with the local jurisdictions.

The Board RFP action also determines:

• Maintenance options that, if exercised, would commit the successful proposer team to provide specialized maintenance services for the new electrical infrastructure, which may include maintenance of the signal system.

• Deferments/eliminations to contain project cost, including eliminating the electrification of Union Pacific-owned tracks, deferring electrification of storage tracks at the 4th and King Rail Yard in San Francisco and Michael Yard in San Jose. These options were presented to the board as part of the PCEP cost/schedule update in 2014 and the cumulative effect of these components amount to approximately $85 million in cost savings.

• Construction work windows that minimize the impact to service to the greatest extent possible while expediting the completion of the work. Reduced rail service will operate on the weekends to accommodate the installation project and additional work windows will be provided overnight on Thursdays and Mondays.

The Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project is scheduled to be completed by winter 2020 and will greatly upgrade the performance, operating efficiency, capacity, safety and reliability of Caltrain’s commuter rail service.

 

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