VTA Funds Ongoing Caltrain Safety Improvements
Agencies Working to Construct Second Set of New Railway Track

San Jose, Calif. –The South County Caltrain Improvement Project funded by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is underway for future double tracking and capacity improvements. The project aims to increase Caltrain service capacity and improve safety by constructing a second set of new railway track along the Caltrain railway corridor and various intersections from Tilton Avenue in Morgan Hill, to Blanchard Road in south San Jose. The focus of this construction work is on utility relocation.

Current project activities include potholing, open-trenching and directional boring. Although there are no scheduled road closures, flashing signage, lane delineators and traffic cones have been placed along Monterey Road for the safety of the travelling public and the construction crews.

Most of the construction effort will be completed within the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way. It is not expected to generate significant community impacts, with the exception of activities surrounding the construction site and at the grade crossings. The impacts at grade crossings will be restricted to lane closures for both the utility relocation and civil construction, which includes mostly grading, retaining wall and crossings improvements. However, UPRR will temporarily close grade crossings and detour traffic for a day or two, to install trackwork. These closures are expected in late 2011 and early 2012.

The total budget of the South County Caltrain Improvement Project is $61 million, which includes the $13 million it costs for the utility relocation phase of the work. Work for the utility relocation consists of two segments. The first segment is the northerly 5-mile segment, scheduled for completion around February 2010. Utility relocation in the southerly 3-mile segment will start around March 2010 and is schedule for completion by August 2010.

For additional information please contact VTA’s Customer Service Center at (408) 321-2300, TTY for the hearing-impaired only, (408) 321-2330. Or log onto www.vta.org and click on the blue envelope icon to sign-up for VTA bus/light rail email updates.

About VTA Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning and provides these services throughout the county including the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

11/2/09
Media Contact: Jennie Loft, (408) 464-7810