VTA Makes Progress on Light Rail Rehabilitation
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Crews worked to rehabilitate the OCS and rail.
Courtesy of VTA
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has made progress on its light rail system throughout 2024 to keep the network in a state of good repair.
Through shutdowns, crews were able to focus on “repairing and replacing items on the light rack tracks and segments where equipment was approaching the end of its useful life,” according to the release from VTA. Crews worked on two major construction efforts: Rail Rehabilitation and the Overhead Catenary System Rehabilitation.
For Rail Rehabilitation
This involved replacement on the trackway. Crews worked on installing a new crossover at Champion light rail station. This is a priority for VTA for Super Bowl 60 and FIFA 2026 events. Crews also replaced more than 2,000 ties and 2,000 tons of ballast at 12 light rail stations, replaced the grade crossing at Lawrence Expressway, realigned the track between Damien and Curtner light rail stations, replaced the Chynoweth track junction, and completed overhead catenary system foundations for the new Bonaventura crossover.
For Overhead Catenary System Rehabilitation
During the rail rehabilitation, crews simultaneously worked on rehabilitating the overhead catenary system. Crews replaced overhead light rail power cables and other structural components. This includes 200,000 feet (or 37 miles) of contact wire and 67 disconnect switch replacements. Due to the nature of this work, shutdowns were required of light rail stations during this time.
