California is ready to embark on a $490 million rail extension project as construction is set to commence soon.
Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation has been awarded a contract by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the extension of the Silicon Valley Phase II extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).
According to the organizers, the upcoming railway line is set to become the most significant public infrastructure project ever launched in Santa Clara County. They estimate that it will transport approximately 55,000 commuters every weekday by the year 2040.
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The expansion of the BART project will encompass a six-mile extension, complete with four additional stations and a length of five and a half miles of tunnels. This development is set to connect commuters in the San Jose region to the rest of the BART system.
Kelvin Sims, Senior Vice President of Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm for the new rail extension, stating that it will serve as a quick and practical transit option for crucial commute corridors. He also expressed pride in the company’s partnership with VTA in delivering this significant project for the region.
Tom Maguire, Chief Megaprojects Officer at VTA, expressed his satisfaction in having Bechtel on board for the construction of the final extension for BART riders in San Jose. Bechtel was one of the original designers and builders of the first phase of the project. Maguire emphasized the importance of this extension, as one-third of the expected growth in the San Francisco Bay Area is predicted to happen in and around San Jose. The extension will support this growth and ensure ongoing connectivity throughout the region.
Bechtel played a significant role in both designing and constructing the original BART system, which has now become a crucial element of the Bay Area’s public transportation network. Moreover, Bechtel also oversaw the engineering and construction of Phase I of the Silicon Valley Line, which commenced providing services to passengers in 2020.
The second phase of construction is scheduled to commence later this year with great enthusiasm.
Last month, the initial station designs for the much-anticipated California High-Speed Rail system were revealed in various parts of the state.
Four stations, including Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Kings Tulare, were the recipients of the designs.
According to Stefan Behling, head of studio at Foster + Partners, the Central Valley stations are being designed with an architectural language that includes tall canopies to provide fresh air and protection from the sun for waiting passengers. The station design aligns with the overall sustainable approach of the project.
According to the current plan, the high-speed rail project’s initial phase is set to be operational between the years 2030 to 2033.
On Monday, the Gateway Development Commission signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, securing full funding for the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project. The rail project aims to connect New York and New Jersey via an underwater tunnel.
