VTA Board of Directors Authorize Amendment to Advance BARTSV Tunnel Work
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
VTA advances BARTSV tunnel work.
Courtesy of VTA
SAN FRANCISCO - The Santa Clara County Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors authorized an amendment to the Kiewit Shea Traylor Joint Venture's (KST) Tunnel and Trackwork Contract (CP2).
This comes as an attempt to “facilitate preparatory efforts and construction of the large shaft structure from which tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be launched,” according to the release from the VTA. This move will advance the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project. Construction of the TBM launch structure is important in keeping with the project’s scheduled date of service in 2037.
The amendment will not exceed $366,357,987 and reflects a negotiated reduction of $15 million. The launch shaft will be constructed at the same time as the TBM is manufactured. Tunnel boring is scheduled for 2027.
VTA Chief Megaproject Officer Tom Maguire said, “When we put our shovel in the round in February, we’ll be taking the biggest step yet toward building our 5-mile tunnel.” This CP2 is taking place in two stages. Within the first phase, there are “cost saving and delivery innovations, programming and design services, procurement of the TBM, demolition, utility relocations, and other early site and general preparatory construction activities.” Phase 2 focuses on the remaining tunnel work which includes constructing the “tunnel, concrete structures in the tunnel, portals, station shafts and tunnel connections, underground boarding platforms and trackwork.” The VTA states a decision and suggested path forward for Stage 2 will be revealed in early 2025.
This past summer, the VTA broke ground on the Santa Clara Station where it will include the “station, rail and maintenance yard and tunnel’s west portal where the TBM will be launched from and ultimately where passenger trains will descend to or ascend from the 5-mile tunnel.” So far, crews have completed work at the site that includes drainage, utility relocations, and constructing fencing and on-site access points. Looking forward, crews will install a noise curtain to reduce noise pollution for nearby residents and businesses, build a launch shaft, and construct a tunnel liner factory and storage area.
