SCVTA prepares BART Berryessa Extension to go hot

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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The SCVTA’s BART Berryessa Extension will soon begin system electrification.
SCVTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) has announced that system testing is underway on along its 10-mile BART Berryessa Extension, and it will soon begin the electrification of the third rail to power future BART trains.

 

The BART system includes two high voltage substations, six traction power substations, and contact rails—a departure from SCVTA’s light-rail trains that are powered by overhead lines.

Representatives also say the BART heavy rail system differs entirely from SCVTA’s light-rail service. As a closed system with a restricted right of way, BART differs from the open light-rail platforms and tracks that typically coexist with passengers and vehicles.

The 10-mile extension is completely separate from vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic, and officials say this ensures the service will not disrupt the usual traffic flow while providing an accessible and safe public space.

“Now that we are in the system testing phase, the site becomes extremely dangerous,” Engstrom explained. “Every person needs to understand that the BART right of way is not a shortcut, it is not accessible for a reason – for people’s protection.”

Since work along the two-station extension site began in April 2012, crews have met multiple as the project moves toward launching the passenger service in 2017.

During the past four years, workers have finished crucial components of the project including:

  • Built bridges and 2.5 miles of trenches for BART trains to pass over or under 13 major intersections, which are fully grade separated
  • Constructed approximately 10 miles of track way, including a 1-mile aerial section
  • Excavated 700,000 cubic yards of dirt – equal to 58,000 dump trucks
  • Poured 280,000 cubic yards of concrete – equal to 28,000 concrete trucks

With about one year until service is slated to begin, some remaining activities that are nearing completion on the project include:

  • Connecting the infrastructure, track work and systems of the Berryessa Extension to the Warm Springs BART Station
  • Finalizing the track installation work, which is a total of 20 miles
  • Completing the installation of traction power cable (22 miles total) and communication cable (more than 325 miles)
  • Completing the Milpitas and Berryessa BART Station buildings, campus areas and roadways
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