Caltrain inks contracts with Balfour Beatty, Stadler for electrification project

Caltrain on Monday signed contracts with Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. and Stadler U.S. Inc. for the commuter railroad's electrification project.

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure was awarded a $697 million contract to design and construct electrification infrastructure for Caltrain's Peninsula Corridor, while Stadler received a $551 million contract to build 16, six-car double-decker "KISS" electric trains.

The acronym KISS is derived from the German words for "comfortable innovative speedy suburban train," according to a Stadler press release.

The Stadler contract includes an option to purchase an additional 96 cars and marks the company's first sale of the KISS units in the United States.

The two contracts are the centerpiece of the overall $1.9 billion project, which calls for electrifying the Caltrain corridor from San Francisco's 4th and King Station to the Tamien Station in San Jose, Calif., and replacing diesel-hauled trains with electric multiple units.

"The Caltrain Modernization Program represents the single most transformative project in Caltrain's 150-year history," said Caltrain Executive Director Jim Hartnett in a press release. "We sought out partners that would help us deliver a world-class product that will bring Caltrain service into the 21st century."

In addition to increasing capacity, the project lays the groundwork for eventual high-speed rail service that will connect San Francisco with the rest of the state, according to Caltrain.