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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) last week marked one-year construction milestones for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension into Santa Clara County, Calif.

During the past 12 months, construction accomplishments included demolition and site preparation at station areas in Milpitas and San Jose, Calif.; realignment and restoration of the Upper Penitencia Creek at the future Berryessa Station; relocation of major utilities along the 10-mile project corridor and in station areas; commencement of station roadway and bridge construction; early support work for elevated track structure at the Berryessa Station site; completion of the BART bridge over Kato Road; and work on the Kato Road grade separation.

The Kato Road project is the first of 11 grade separations needed to complete the 10-mile BART extension, VTA officials said in a prepared statement. An added benefit of the project: The new section of Kato Road is separated from existing freight-rail service, increases safety, reduces congestion and eliminates the need for train horns at the crossings, said Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison.

Construction is ramping up for the second year of the five-year project. Upcoming work includes continuing construction on Mission Boulevard and Warren Avenue in Fremont; utility relocations throughout the corridor; trenching under Montague Expressway, Capitol Avenue and Dixon landing in Milpitas, and Hostetter Road in San Jose; and building the elevated structure for BART tracks in San Jose, VTA officials said.

"The construction of a local BART line is an economic investment that supports transit-oriented communities, which is essential given the projected 35 percent population growth in Santa Clara County over the next 22 years," said U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.).