Valley Transportation Authority moves forward on Phase II extension project

VTA’s BART Phase II extension.

VTA

The Valley Transportation Authority is moving forward on the BART Phase II extension.

Overview

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project is a six-mile, four-station extension of the regional BART system from the Berryessa/North San José Station (opened in 2020) through downtown San José to the City of Santa Clara. The Phase II Project is planned to include an approximately five-mile subway, three stations with underground platforms (28th Street/Little Portugal, Downtown San José, and Diridon), one ground-level station (Santa Clara), a train maintenance and storage facility, and additional facilities.

The Phase II Project is estimated to carry 54,600 passengers each weekday to destinations throughout the Bay Area by 2040. This alternative mode of transportation will allow passengers to benefit from faster, more efficient travel throughout the Bay Area while the region simultaneously benefits from reduced traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.  

Funding Update

As a part of President Biden’s upcoming proposed budget, VTA’s BART Phase II Extension Project is designated to receive an additional $200 million in federal funding—the third allocation planned to be provided under the federal Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program. As one of only two projects nationwide to be allocated EPD funding, the Phase II Project represents the country’s critical need for increased transit investment. This latest allocation, which brings VTA’s federal funding total under this program to $425 million, demonstrates the federal government’s confidence in VTA’s ability to successfully complete the largest transportation infrastructure project in Santa Clara County history.

Contracting Update

VTA is in the process of delivering VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project in four Contract Packages (CPs).

• CP1 is Systems, which focuses on systemwide train control and rail communication systems
• CP2 is Tunnel & Trackwork, which includes the procurement of the tunnel boring machine, excavation and building of the tunnel, support of excavation of the underground stations, construction of the tunnel portals, two mid-tunnel facilities, and trackwork for the project.
• CP3 is Newhall Yard and Santa Clara Station, which includes the Newhall Maintenance Facility and storage tracks, ground-level Santa Clara Station, and associated parking garage
• CP4 is Stations, which include 28th Street/Little Portugal and associated parking, Downtown San José, and Diridon Stations.

Over the past few months contract packages have continued to progress forward. The final draft RFP for CP1 was issued in April 2022 and the final RFP is anticipated to be issued in late Summer 2022. Additionally, in May, VTA’s Board of Directors gave the General Manager authority to negotiate the initial Stage 1 services contract for CP2 and VTA began negotiations with the joint venture of Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST).  A Limited Notice to Proceed to KST is planned to be issued this week, which is a major milestone for the project.  Stage 1 services include a review of proposed innovations, advancing design, and construction planning, among others.

Furthermore, the CP3 draft RFP was issued March 2022 and the final RFP is planned to be issued in Summer 2022. Design coordination with the City of San José, utilities and other key stakeholders for CP4 is also ongoing while technical documents are being developed to support other Contract Packages.  The CP4 solicitation has been paused and a new solicitation is under development and targeted for a Q2 2024 award.

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