California Construction News staff writer
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) has awarded a $490.8-million construction management services contract to Bechtel Infrastructure Corp.
The $12.7 billion undertaking will extend BART from its current end of the line at Berryessa Station in North San José and will run west to create four new stations: 28th Street/Little Portugal near East San José, Downtown San José, Diridon and Santa Clara, KQED reported.
The six-mile extension includes four stations, three with underground platforms and the scope of work also includes construction of a train maintenance and storage site, plus other related facilities.
About 5.5 miles of the extension would the first single-bore subway tunnel in the U.S, according to the VTA.
Under the contract, Bechtel will establish a program-wide organizational structure, processes and procedures for effective management of all phases of construction. Additionally, the contractor will manage and administer construction contracts, construction costs and schedule, change orders, claims and disputes as well as construction quality and safety, VTA officials said.
Construction is expected to begin later this year to prepare for the arrival of the tunnel-boring machine.
A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction of West Portal facility, where a tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be assembled and launched to bore the five-mile underground tunnel for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project (Phase II Project).
The milestone event, held at the future Santa Clara Station and Newhall Yard & Maintenance Facility located in San José and Santa Clara, included union representatives from Laborers Local 270, and was followed by a traditional “Golden Shovel” ceremony.
VTA’s extension of the regional BART system is the largest transportation infrastructure project in the history of Santa Clara County. It will integrate Santa Clara County with the greater Bay Area BART system, enhancing regional connectivity and providing numerous economic, environmental, and social benefits.
To design and deliver the Phase II Project, VTA has collaborated closely with community groups, stakeholders, and local businesses, forming Community Working Groups, Design Review Committees, and the Small Business Task Force, to ensure the Phase II Project meets the community’s needs.
The Phase II Project promotes inclusive, transit-oriented communities and supports the development of 60 million square feet, including affordable housing. These communities foster diverse economic opportunities and sustainable, vibrant neighborhoods. By prioritizing equitable access and affordable housing, the project connects 1.7 million transit-dependent riders annually to high-quality transit, reflecting VTA’s commitment to inclusive growth and social equity.
