Caltrain kicks off pre-construction work for electrification project

Caltrain has begun performing pre-construction work for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project.

Until the end of February 2017, the San Francisco-area commuter railroad will locate utilities, confirm soil conditions and test cables in preparation for the electrification project, which will electrify Caltrain's corridor from San Francisco's 4th and King Station to approximately the Tamien Station. The railroad also will replace its diesel-hauled trains with electric multiple units.

The project team is slated to begin construction in summer 2017, according to a Caltrain press release.

The overarching project calls for electrifying Caltrain's corridor from San Francisco's 4th and King Station to the Tamien Station in San Jose, Calif., along with replacing the railroad's diesel-hauled trains with electric multiple units.

The project is aimed at improving Caltrain's performance and reducing its environmental impact.