Caltrain updates cost and schedule projections for electrification project

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board received updated information about the projected cost and timeframe for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP), which includes Caltrain electrification and the purchase of new electric vehicles.

 

In a presentation made to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and oversees the Caltrain rail service, the cost for electrification now is projected to be between $1.47 billion and $1.5 billion. The previous projection, originally calculated in 2008, was $1.2 billion.

With the new figures, the projected cost for the total Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) Program is $1.7 billion to $1.76 billion. The previous cost projection was $1.45 billion. The projected cost of the new signal system, CBOSS PTC, which is part of the CalMod Program, is unchanged at $231 million.

The board also received a new projection that electrified service will begin between the winter 2020 and the spring 2021. The original projection for the electrified service to begin was the winter 2019.

“We are all anxious to get Caltrain electrified so our communities can benefit from expanded and improved service,” said Adrienne Tissier, a member of the Caltrain Board of Directors and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which is helping to fund the project. “With a project of this size and significance, we expect the cost and schedule projections to be adjusted, especially when the previous projections are six years old. This update allows the project to move forward with environmental clearance so we can get to work building a system that accommodates growing ridership demand.”

The PCEP will convert the rail system from a diesel-based service to an electrified system with performance advantages that will accommodate rapidly growing ridership demand.

The increased cost is a result of inflation, updated industry information, additional engineering and an analysis of the challenges associated with constructing the project while also maintaining train service that continues to see dramatic increases in ridership demand. The range reflects cost containment measures associated with scope reductions and deferments that are under consideration. The last electrification project cost update was prepared in 2008.

The PCEP is expected to complete the environmental process in January 2015 with construction starting in 2016.While the cost update has been prepared by experts in the field of electrified systems, the final cost for the project will be known when the design build and vehicle procurement contracts are awarded in 2015.

Caltrain is working with its regional, state and federal funding partners to explore opportunities to secure the additional investment needed to complete the project. Additional funding opportunities include, but are not limited to, California’s cap-and-trade program, Federal Transit Authority’s Vehicle Replacement and Core Capacity programs, regional bridge toll program and Caltrain fare. Caltrain financing and/or Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan would also help address the funding gap and meet cash flow needs.

 

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