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On Sept. 23, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) plans to move its San Mateo Station about one block north to Downtown Transit Center.

The current station is mainly a platform. When one of the system’s 68 trains per day stops there — on average every half-hour from 5:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. — three intersections are closed, either by the train or the triggering of crossing gates. Moving the San Mateo stop one block north eliminates those traffic disruptions.

Caltrain’s new 650-foot-long northbound and southbound platforms are designed to accommodate a locomotive and six commuter cars. And Downtown Transit Center’s design, by San Francisco-based Roma Design Group, includes the platforms, SamTrans bus stops, 250-car parking lot and 24 bike lockers.

Plans also include a "shell" for a bookstore or restaurant, space for coffee shop or newsstand, and a police substation.

"We want to make sure everyone knows it’s more than just a train station," says Hecht.

Caltrain’s southbound platform is complete, but the northbound platform currently is a temporary structure. Plans call for a pedestrian underpass, and an elevator and stairs leading from an underground garage to the platform. Pedestrians also can access the platform at a First Avenue at-grade crossing with gates, bells and flashing lights.

Although San Mateo officials plan to begin using the station Sept. 23, follow-up work — including the northbound platform — is scheduled for completion by mid-December.

— Kathi Kube