Caltrain names Deal to Transbay Joint Powers Authority, completes San Bruno grade separation

Caltrain's board had appointed Jerry Deal to serve on the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA), which oversees a new intermodal terminal known as the Transbay Transit Center, a rail extension for Caltrain and high-speed rail, as well as adjacent transit-oriented development  in downtown San Francisco.

Deal replaces Arthur Lloyd, who announced his retirement from Caltrain's board in March, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

The TJPA is in charge of the development of the transit center in San Francisco, which is slated to one day serve Caltrain's new electrified trains and future high-speed rail service. Construction on the center, located on Mission Street in downtown San Francisco, began in 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by 2017.

"The Transbay Transit Center Project will one day act as a vital connection point for local, regional and state transportation networks," Deal said.

The TJPA also oversees construction of an underground tunnel, connecting Caltrain’s current terminus at 4th and King to the Transbay Transit Center. That plan, called the Downtown Extension, is currently in the environmental supplemental review phase. Along with that project, the TJPA and the SF Redevelopment Agency are collaborating on the Transit Center District plan, which creates significant transit-oriented development close to the transit center, officials said.

Meanwhile, Caltrain officials will mark the completion of the San Bruno grade separation at a community celebration tomorrow at Posy Park. The $155 million project involved elevating the Caltrain station and tracks at three crossings in San Bruno, Calif.