Santa Clara VTA awards $22.14 million contract for grade separation project

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's Board of Directors voted Thursday, September 1, 2011, to authorize VTA to execute a $22.14 million contract with Gordon N. Ball, Inc., for the construction of the Kato Road Grade Separation in Fremont, Calif. The roadway project is a joint effort between the City of Fremont and VTA to separate Kato Road from Union Pacific tracks. Once the project is completed, Kato Road will pass underneath UP tracks and future BART tracks. The bid from Gordon N. Ball, Inc., is 19 percent below the engineer's estimate. The contract is funded by 2000 Measure A and Proposition 1B Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account. 

 "This grade separation will both enable frequent BART service in the future and reduce congestion in the area that has previously been caused by freight movements," said VTA Board Chairperson Margaret Abe-Koga.

 Under a VTA Board authorized Project Implementation Agreement with the City of Fremont in 2008, VTA is responsible for the design and construction of the Kato Road Grade Separation Project and the City of Fremont is the lead agency for the environmental clearance and right of way acquisition.

 "In addition to decreasing vehicle emissions and commute times, our partnership with VTA enhances safety by separating the freight and future BART traffic from pedestrian and auto traffic," said Fremont Public Works Director Jim Pierson.

 The project work includes construction of a steel UP bridge, a cast-in-place reinforced concrete maintenance bridge and reinforced concrete BART Bridge spanning over Kato Road. The BART bridge structure is essential to allow the Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension contractor access along the corridor over the depressed Kato Road. The grade separation activities also involve relocation of sanitary sewer facilities, installation of a pump station, removal and replacement of impacted landscape, trees and irrigation and construction of traffic improvements at the intersection of North Milpitas Boulevard and Dixon Landing Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in October with substantial completion by spring 2013. Kato Road will be closed for up to nine months during this period.