The project will result in approximately 4 miles of new track between San Francisco and Menlo Park and additional track between Menlo Park and Santa Clara.

Alternative Bus Service

Caltrain provides limited stop bus service on weekends. Route RRX serves the San Jose, Palo Alto, Hillsdale, Millbrae and San Francisco Caltrain stations; the buses depart the terminals at the same time trains on the regular weekend schedule would originate out of San Francisco and San Jose.  However, the buses begin their last run at 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

SamTrans and the Valley Transportation Authority also provide local service along the corridor on VTA Route 22 and SamTrans Routes 390, 391 and KX.

For weekend games at Pacific Bell Park, three Caltrain express baseball routes are offered -- BB1, BB2 and BB3. Altogether, these buses serve 16 Caltrain stations.

Citizens Advisory Committee Input

The Caltrain Citizens Advisory Committee in November 2001 examined alternatives for service adjustments on the CTX Project, and endorsed two six-month weekend shutdown work windows over the course of construction. CAC action included a call for alternative bus transportation, which subsequently was added to the project.

Following the CAC's initial recommendation the work window was modified to shutdown the railroad for the entire construction period. In this way, Caltrain can speed up the duration of construction in the safest and most cost-effective way.

Industry Precedent

During the past decade, a number of North American railroads have initiated long-term service interruptions for purposes of capital construction.

• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority shut down major rail segments for two summers (approximately 4-5 months each), while providing alternative transportation on a subway line.  Within one year after its second shutdown, SEPTA recorded a six percent ridership gain.

• Societe de Transport de la Communaute Urbaine de Montreal closed a commuter rail line (Deux Montagnes) for two years to complete a rebuilding project.

• Chicago Transit Authority shut down its Green Line elevated branch from January 1994 to May 1996 for capital work, while providing alternative bus service.  Suburban ridership returned within a few months of reopening.

Project Elements

North CTX

• Bayshore - Menlo Park: install new signal/ operating system consisting of Centralized Traffic Control with reverse signaling and high-speed universal crossovers at various sites; modernize and upgrade active warning devices for seven grade crossings in Burlingame.

• San Francisco: rebuild tracks, signals; add high-speed turnouts.  Close King Street and formally close Berry Street grade crossings, open new Common Street crossing providing access to Mission Bay development and new University of California, San Francisco campus and upgrade the 16th Street crossing.

• Bayshore to Brisbane: completely rebuild existing tracks and signals; add two new express tracks between Bayshore and Brisbane.  Separate contract will construct new four-track Bayshore station with grade separated pedestrian overcrossing.

• South San Francisco: reconstruct existing Colma Creek railroad bridge, lengthening the bridge to accommodate a wider flood control channel.

• Millbrae: rebuild two miles of existing main tracks; add station track with platform; complete platforms and Caltrain portion of Caltrain/BART intermodal station.

• Redwood City: rebuild tracks and signals; add two high-speed sidings plus two switching sidings at Redwood Junction (Chestnut Street to Fifth Avenue).

South CTX

• Menlo Park - Santa Clara: install new CTC with reverse signaling with high-speed universal crossovers at Menlo Park, San Antonio Road and Sunnyvale.  Project completion will equip Caltrain with total remote dispatching and reverse running capabilities from San Francisco to San Jose.

• Sunnyvale: rebuild existing tracks, add two new express tracks from Fair Oaks to Bowers Avenue.

• Lawrence: completely reconstruct Lawrence station platforms, parking and shuttle stops; construct new ADA accessible pedestrian underpass.

Feb. 2004

North CTX

• San Francisco: track and signal work have been completed.
• Bayshore to Brisbane: track and signal work are being finalized. Bayshore station continues under construction and will be completed in Spring 2004.
• South San Francisco: work is completed with only punchlist items remaining.
• Millbrae: work is complete with only punchlist items remaining.
• Redwood City: work is nearing completion and will be finalized in Spring 2004.

• Atherton to Mountain View: active track reconstruction is complete with finalization taking place through Spring. Signal work continues into the Spring.
• Sunnyvale to San Jose: Lawrence station platforms, parking lot, shuttle stops and new ADA accessible pedestrian underpass are nearing completion. The station will begin to shift from its temporary location to its final location in Feb. 2004 with construction continuing through March. Active track construction is complete with only punchlist items remaining. Signal work will continue into Spring 2004.

Communication Efforts

An extensive communications campaign has continued to informriders and the community about the upgrade and provided information on alternative transportation, as well as construction progress.

• Caltrain has mailed notices to all residences within one-quarter mile on either side of its tracks between San Francisco and Santa Clara
• Station flyers and signboards have been posted at all 34 stations.
• Newsletter updates of project progress are mailed semi-annually to areas where construction is taking place.
• Door to door notifications are distributed in neighborhoods that are subject to unusual construction activity.
• Community presentations and forums are ongoing.
• Brochures and new timetables outlining the RRX service, baseball express bus service and local service options are available to patrons by calling Caltrain's Customer Service Center, checking the Web site, onboard trains or at all staffed stations. A hotline is in place for neighbors to call for additional construction information or to leave a message regarding construction concerns. Hotline Number 650.508.7705. Customer Service Center 1.800.660.4287 (or TDD 650.508.6448).