Construction on BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSVII), one of the nation's largest transportation infrastructure projects, has surpassed 3 million work hours without a worker missing time due to injury, reflecting an unwavering commitment to safety as crews continue building the future of regional transit through downtown San José and into Santa Clara.
Working weekdays, Saturdays and select Sundays across two shifts, hundreds of workers and contractors are advancing one of the Bay Area's largest and most complex construction projects while maintaining an exceptional safety record.
To date, crews have placed 75,000 cubic yards of concrete, enough to fill more than 23 Olympic-size swimming pools, to construct critical underground infrastructure, including diaphragm walls, working slabs, cross passages for emergency egress, confinement walls and cap beams. Construction has also required 4,025 tons of reinforcing steel, creating the underground framework that will support BART service for generations, along with approximately 1,200 feet of permanent and temporary piping that has enabled construction to advance safely and efficiently.
VTA is building the infrastructure, stations and parking structures for the 6-mile, four-station extension of the heavy rail service, extending it from North San Jose/Berryesa through downtown San Jose into Santa Clara. BART will continue to operate the service.
The project's safety record is especially noteworthy given the scale of the work. During diaphragm wall construction, crews simultaneously operated 13 cranes, 12 excavators, and eight forklifts and manlifts, coordinating one of the Bay Area's most sophisticated heavy construction operations while maintaining a relentless focus on protecting workers. As construction advances into new phases, equipment needs continue to evolve, with two cranes currently supporting ongoing work.
"Surpassing 3 million work hours without a lost-time incident reflects the dedication, professionalism and shared commitment of every person working on this project," said Sarah Wilson, Director of Construction, BART Silicon Valley Phase II. "Safety is embedded in every aspect of our work. This achievement demonstrates that even on a project of this size and complexity, our first priority is ensuring every worker goes home safely at the end of the day."
BART Silicon Valley Phase II is among the largest transportation infrastructure projects currently under construction in California and the United States. Every hour worked, every truckload of concrete delivered, and every ton of steel installed reflects the dedication of skilled workers committed to safely delivering infrastructure that will improve regional mobility, strengthen the local economy and connect more residents, workers and visitors to the Bay Area's transit network for decades to come.