Engineering

The engineering and design of BART Silicon Valley is developed in various phases of project development in conjunction with the environmental process. Engineering phases include Conceptual Engineering (10% design), Preliminary Engineering (35% design), 65% design, and Final Engineering (100% design). These design phases represent a progression of engineering throughout project development.

Conceptual Engineering and Preliminary Engineering (PE) phases occur during the development of draft and final environmental documents, and together are generally referred to as the PE phase. The 65% design phase allows for a further refinement to project definition and the design of the facilities and systems. Engineering details for BART Silicon Valley are identified by refining station, tunnel and other facilities’ design. As engineering advances towards a final design, more accurate project costs and schedules are also developed.

A crucial part of the PE and 65% design phases is Value Engineering, by which proposals to increase the efficiency of the design or reduce capital and operating costs are evaluated for potential implementation. There are five Engineering groups responsible for Value Engineering opportunities: line, tunnel, facilities, systems, and design integration. As of March 2006, more than 40 value-engineering proposals were evaluated and over $260 million in value engineering improvements were identified.

In December 2006, the technical PE phase was completed. The 65% Engineering phase was completed in December 2008. Final design will advance the project development to 100% completion or a construction bid-ready package. Decisions will be made on design refinements, engineering issues, landscaping, as well as the type of building materials prior to or during Final Design. Final design is planned to would begin in 2010.

A comprehensive community outreach program and construction management plan will be developed in coordination with the cities and stakeholders during the final design phase. Construction of BART Silicon Valley will occur in two phases. The first phase will include two station service to Milpitas and Berryessa area of San Jose; expected completion in 2018. VTA will continue to evaluate value-engineering proposals in an effort to reduce project costs, and continue agency and stakeholder coordination on design development.