VTA set to begin tunnel construction for BART extension in San Jose

A San Jose, Calif., intersection will be closed for nine months starting Jan. 26 as part of the construction of one of the most complex road crossings in the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's (VTA) future BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension project.

The full closure of the Sierra Road and Lundy Avenue intersection will enable a trench to be built for the BART system to operate below the intersection, VTA officials said in a press release.

Over the next nine months, major utilities will be relocated, the roadway will be excavated, the trench will be constructed and the roadway will be restored.

The final configuration of intersection will remain at street level. BART trains will pass beneath the current street-level roadway, separating BART trains from vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. This is one of 11 grade separations along the corridor that are required for a safe and efficient BART system, officials said.

The Silicon Valley Extension is the largest transportation construction project in Santa Clara County's history. Now at the halfway point, the project is ahead of schedule and service is slated to begin in fall 2017.

The project involves a 16-mile extension of the existing Bay Area Rapid Transit system to San Jose, Milpitas and Santa Clara.