Progress is being made in the efforts to expand the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) service in the Silicon Valley. Early work already begun as officials from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) aim to kick off major construction work for the $12.7 billion BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project early next year. Santa Clara VTA is the client for the project, with notable names such as KST JV also being part of the project.
KST JV contract cost reduction
As part of the cost reduction initiative, the VTA Board of Directors has made changes to the Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST JV) Joint Venture’s Tunnel and Trackwork Contract (CP2). This is a major step in the advancement of the Bart Silicon Valley Phase 2 project as it will facilitate the construction of the large shaft structure at the West Portal which will be TBM’s launching point.
Official statement states that this construction step is a “critical step” in the project if the 2037 completion date is to be met.
The marked cost changes in the KST JV has a $15 million negotiated reduction from the last cost estimate. This will cap the cost for the contract at $366 million. The contractor will break ground on the construction of the TBM’s large shaft structure in February 2025, and start tunnel boring in 2027.
VTA Chief Megaproject Officer, Tom Maguire, noted of the milestone as the “biggest step yet” in the project. “When we put our shovel in the ground in February, we’ll be taking the biggest step yet toward building our 5-mile tunnel” he stated.
The Tunnel and Trackwork Contract
The Tunnel and Trackwork Contract is currently being executed in two stages. The first stage began in May 2022 while the second will start in the first quarter of 2025. Much has been done all through from May, this is not limited to: programming and design services, procurement of the TBM, utility relocation, the current cost reduction initiative, and other early construction work.
As from Feb 2025, construction of the tunnel for the TBM and the trains for the Bart Silicon Valley Phase 2 will start, this will also feature the installation of concrete structures in the tunnel. Alongside this will be the construction of the key portals, station shafts and tunnel interconnections.
Another upcoming milestone in the Bart Silicon Valley Phase 2 project is the advancement of overall design way past 60%, and the securing of $5.1 billion through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Start Funding Program. This will be through a full funding grant agreement that will also include the projects’ timelines and the specific cost allocations for each of the stages.
BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 project factsheet
Location: California, U.S
Oversight body: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
Cost: $12.7 billion
Contractors : Kiewit Infrastructure West, JF Shea Construction and Traylor Brothers (KST) JV, Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation, PGH Wong Engineering, Mottmac
Expected number of subcontractors: 15
Ground breaking date: Spring of 2024
Completion date: 2036 (- 2037)
Commencement of passenger service: 2037
Overview of the BART Silicon Valley
The 6 mile(10km) extension is set to include four stations, with three of them featuring platforms. 5.5 miles of the extension will be tunneled, marking what VTA claims will be the first single-bore subway tunnel in the United States. It will also be the third biggest bored tunnel in the world.
Alongside the tunnel, the project will also feature the construction of a train maintenance and storage site together with other related facilities.
The upcoming phase II of the BSV project will expand on the $2.3 billion investment made in Phase I which was completed in 2020. Phase I introduced BART service to Berryessa/North San Jose.
During a groundbreaking event earlier this year, Carolyn Gonot, VTA’s manager and CEO emphasized the importance of creating effective and sustainable transit options to meet the demands of our growing communities.
Bechtel, serving as the construction manager for the BART Silicon Valley phase II extension will be responsible for overseeing four contract packages, systems, tunnel and track work. Construction of facilities such as the Newhall Yard maintenance facility, Santa Clara Station, the parking garage and the three underground stations will also be under its radar. Bechtel has lined 15 subcontractors for the project with 11 of them surprisingly being business enterprises.
Some notable names in the BSV II include PGH Wong Engineering, and Mottmac, who will be handling the design of the project. A meeting to discuss the update on the project and the design was held on Dec 2 and 4.
The VTA is expecting over $6 billion in funding from the Federal Transit Administration to support the project. However, additional financial support will be sourced from regional and state channels. Officials are optimistic about finalizing a funding grant agreement with FTA by the end of this year.
The TBM
To create space for tracks, platforms and necessary equipment within the tunnel, VTA procured a 54-foot diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from German manufacturer Herrenknecht in November.
The transportation agency will initiate TBM operations at the West Portal near Santa Clara’s end of the extension and aims for a digging rate of 30-40 feet.
Additionally, the $76 million TBM will operate round the clock with tunneling expected to span three to four years.
BSV Extension
The BART Silicon Valley (BSV) extension initiative involves extending the BART system by 16 miles. This will also include the addition of six stations in Santa Clara County. The project is divided into two phases.
Phase I of the project covered 10 miles while the Phase II will cover 6 miles.
BSV Phase I
BSV Phase I expanded BART service into Santa Clara County from Fremont, Alameda County with stops at Milpitas and Berryessa/North San José.
The first phase of the 10 miles(16km) BSV was completed in June 13th 2020, after work began in 2012.
This project had VTA see to the collaboration between Kiewit Infrastructure West, JF Shea Construction and Traylor Brothers (KST JV) for tunnel and track work.
Progress on the BART Silicon Valley II
The project started in the spring of 2024, and is expected to end in 2036. The commencement of passenger service is slated for 2037.
The six-mile extension of the BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSV II) will feature:
- A 5 mile(8km) single bore tunnel
- A maintenance and storage facility
- 3 underground stations
- An overground station
Once complete, the BSVII will connect to the Caltran Commuter Rail, Amtrak, VTA’s light rail, and the future California High-Speed Rail route.
June 2024 milestone
BSV II project construction workers were onsite starting April 2024. The following months saw construction associated with site preparation commence. Fencing and screening around the entire VTA property was also done. Construction trucks also entered the site.
The West Portal
The West Portal, located between Brokaw Road and Newhall Yard, is the launching point for the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
Early construction work starts at this point. This phase started in 2024 and is expected to end by the first quarter of 2025.
The West Portal will serve the following functions:
- Be TBM’s launching point
- House tunnel lining factory, and the tunnel lining storage facility where fabricated tunnel lining segments will be stored. These will then be installed, on average, up to six a day by the TBM. This will eventually create the tube underground.
- House a grout plant. This will be used to seal the tunnel lining segments as work progresses Eastwards.
- Excavated Material Bins to hold the excavated earth awaiting reuse or disposal.
- Noise curtains. These will be installed on the West side of the site.
The assembly of the TBM will also be done in this phase.
TBM Launching
This will be the last stage in the early construction phase at the West Portal. Once assembly is complete, the TBM will start the excavation process for the single-bore tunnel. The electrically powered machine also contains a conveyor system within itself to removed excavated debris.
Newhall Yard & Maintenance Facility
Construction of the facility will commence once tunnel excavation is complete.
This facility will allow for servicing of the BART vehicles without them having to go back to the East Bay at the end of service each day.
Spanning about 40 acres, the yard control tower will oversee train traffic, the facility will itself house maintenance and engineering offices and on-site parking spaces.
Downtown San José Station
Work at the Downtown San José Station area is anticipated to begin in late 2024.
Early works and major project construction activities such as site development, building demolition, support of excavation (SOE), and adit excavation will take place.
VTA will be conducting activities related to site development, including:
- On-site access points, designated crew parking, staging areas, and office space.
- Installation of temporary utilities connections to offices.
- Building demolition and hauling materials off site for disposal.
Diridon Station
Work at the Diridon Station area is anticipated to begin in early 2025.
Construction activities will include site development, building demolition, support of excavation (SOE), and adit excavation.
VTA will also be conducting activities related to site development.
28th Street/Little Portugal Station
Work at the 28th Street/Little Portugal Station area is projected to begin in late 2024.
Early works and major project construction activities such as site development, tunneling and adit excavation will take place.
Santa Clara Station
This phase of construction will also involve early works and major project construction activities.
Slated for a future date, major activities like site preparation and development will take place.
East Portal
Work at the East Portal is anticipated to begin in the early fall of 2025 and continue through the end of 2030.
Early works and major project construction activities related to site preparation activities will begin around the stated time.
BSV II Events Timeline
What has the BSV II seen since its inception?
February 2024 Milestone – Greenlight given to West Portal facility
VTA provided the tunnel and trackwork contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West, JF Shea Construction and Traylor Brothers (KST JV), the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to begin construction at the West Portal.
The West Portal is where the TBM will start digging the five-mile-long tunnel.
Late March 2024 – Advance application to the FTA
In late March, VTA submitted an application to advance into the next phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) New Starts Program funding process.
The program is a discretionary grant program that funds fixed guideway projects that have a total estimated capital cost of $400 million or more or that are seeking $150 million or more of CIG funding.
May 9th 2024 – $500 million granted to the BSV II
The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that they have allocated $500 million in the federal Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the BSVII Project.
This will be used toward a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the BART Silicon Valley Extension project.
May 24th 2024 – Project update
General project update were made. These included:
- The issuance of Notice to Proceed and Early Works Construction.
- Facilitation of FTA Risk Assessment Workshop and recipient of FTA’s $500 million allocation for the project.
- Submission of grant application to New Starts Entry to Engineering
June 14th 2024 – VTA breaks ground for West Portal facility
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) held a historic groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of its West Portal facility.
Approximately 240 guests attended the event. The event commenced with speeches by elected officials and major stakeholders that highlighted the benefits of this transformative infrastructure project, which was followed by the traditional “Golden Shovel” ceremony.
August 7th 2024 – Plans for VTA’s BSV II
The federal government made a commitment of $5.1 billion of federal funds. This will be the second largest in the history of the Capital Investment Grant program.
So far, only the initial design phase and early construction work for the tunnel and track-work contract has been awarded.
VTA has further negotiation opportunities for the heavy construction work related to the tunnel and will continue to solicit open competition for the stations, rail yard and operational systems. This means further opportunities to save money.
November 13th 2024 – BSV II Cost Reduction Initiative
This initiative by the VTA Board of Directors brought to light “major cost saving concepts” aimed at reducing the overall project cost.
This includes the use of less concrete and steel in the tunnel interior, concurrent tunneling from the east and west, and reconfiguration of the Newhall Yard and maintenance facility. Alongside this will be the conversion of the 28th Street/Little Portugal Station parking structure to surface parking and refinement of station designs in coordination with stakeholders and the community.
A key consideration in refining the station designs is to ensure that the overall passenger experience, convenience and efficiency is not compromised.
BSV II Cost Timeline
BSV II has an estimated cost of $12.7 billion. With $6.496 billion already contributed to the overall cost, the federal government also made a commitment of $5.1 billion once they qualified the VTA for its contribution in the New Starts funding process.
But even with the numerous funding commitments, there is still a gap that must be closed to fund the entire $12.7 billion dollar project. To bridge the gap, VTA continues to look at cost savings, cost reductions, as well as seeking additional funding sources.
In April, VTA board approved a ten year cost plus fixed fee contract for construction management services with Bechtel.
May 2024 saw $500 million granted to the BSV II by the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
August 2024 had the federal commitment of a funding of $5.1 billion to the BSV II.
November 2024 had focus on the BSV II cost reduction initiative to cut costs on the project.
December 2024 saw a milestone cost reduction in the cost for tunnel and trackwork contract for the KST JV.
History of BART Silicon Valley
Planners in the 1990s initially designed the BSV project to offer a solution to traffic on I-680 and I-880. They also made effort to link San José with the surrounding San Francisco Bay area. It aims to ease traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote growth along the route.
What BART Silicon Valley promises
By 2040 BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension is projected to cater to 54,600 commuters in the Bay Area. It will collectively serve 1.7 million residents in the bay area.
The proposed extension will provide a dependable and convenient travel option. It will offer an alternative to navigating through two of the Bay Area’s most crowded highway routes. Meanwhile, BART launched an Earthquake Safety Program aimed at enhancing sections of its system.
Kelvin Sims, the vice president of Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation expressed excitement about the BART Silicon Valley Extension. He also highlighted its potential to offer a quick and also convenient commuting option for busy travel routes.
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