Third rail on BART's Berryessa Extension goes live

[Editor's note: This story was updated on Sept. 7 at 2:20 p.m. CDT.]

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) this month will begin electrifying the third rail along Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) Berryessa Extension.

Unlike VTA's light-rail trains powered by overhead lines, the BART system consists of two high voltage substations, six traction power substations and contact rails, VTA officials said in a press release.

System testing is currently underway on the 10-mile extension. VTA is overseeing construction of the project.

Slated to open for passenger service late next year, the Berryessa Extension runs south from Fremont to San Jose, Calif. In an online feature last month, Progressive Railroading highlighted a new intrusion detection system being piloted on the extension.