The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project (formerly Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project) extends light rail from the existing Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with an elevated guideway primarily in the center of Capitol Expressway. The Eastridge extension will include an elevated light rail station at Story Road, and a at-grade station located at the Eastridge Transit Center. When this project is complete, VTA riders will be able to board light rail at the Eastridge Station, and connect directly with BART at the Milpitas Station.
Background
The...
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project (formerly Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project) extends light rail from the existing Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with an elevated guideway primarily in the center of Capitol Expressway. The Eastridge extension will include an elevated light rail station at Story Road, and a at-grade station located at the Eastridge Transit Center. When this project is complete, VTA riders will be able to board light rail at the Eastridge Station, and connect directly with BART at the Milpitas Station.
Background
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project has been delivered in phases. The first phase was delivered in two parts. In Phase 1A, VTA addressed pedestrian access and improved safety measures along the expressway between Quimby Road and Capitol Avenue. This was completed in Fall 2012 and included new sidewalks, street lighting, and a landscaping buffer. Phase 1B was the reconstruction of the Eastridge Transit Center. The improvements to the transit center included new shelters and amenities and supports BRT. This was completed in 2015.
The light rail extension is Phase 2, and the final phase of the larger Capitol Expressway Transit Improvement Project that transforms Capitol Expressway into a multi-modal expressway offering bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit, and safe connections to the regional transit system.
Project Status
The project is in final design and VTA is securing right of way along the corridor to relocate underground utilities and the PG&E towers along the expressway. Once the utilities have been relocated, construction of the light rail extension can begin. Utility relocation began in September 2021. For an updated schedule, please refer to the schedule located below, or contact Community Outreach.
Community Outreach
Eastridge to BART Regional Connector - Station Art Enhancement Meet the Artists!
VTA is hosting community meetings to meet the artists, and for the artists to meet you, the community! You are invited to participate in a virtual meeting to learn about the Art Enhancement program and engage directly with the artists.
Your knowledge and perspectives of your East San Jose neighborhoods will inspire the artists as they shape the designs for the new light rail stations coming to your community.
There are two meetings. 1/9/2023 will be in English with Spanish and Vietnamese translation available. Additional translations are available on this date by request.
On 1/11/2023, the meeting will be hosted in Spanish with English translation.
Both meetings are virtual on Zoom, and best viewed with a tablet or computer (laptop or desktop). There will be interactive activities. Pre-registration is encouraged.
For more details, read the Meet the Artists! meeting notice, or go directly to the event pages:
Project Newsletters
EBRC-Summer 2022
In addition to project updates, this newsletter provides information on the project benefits, and an introduction to the station art enhancements activities that begin this fall. Let's dive in!
EBRC-Summer 2021 & Notice of Utility Relocation
To say that 2020 and 2021 have been challenging is an understatement. Even though we at VTA have had to adjust to to the way we work, the planning work on Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project continued. Let's catch up!
Stakeholder Working Group
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been created. Each SWG member was nominated by the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board to represent the unique constituencies that live, work, and play along the project alignment. Their role is to disseminate information to the stakeholders near the project area and to give feedback to the project team. The members are listed below.
Project Videos
Curious to see how Capitol Expressway will look with light rail when the project is complete? Check out this video via VTA's Youtube: Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Video.
Stakeholder Working Group 2022 Meeting Dates
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February 24, 2022, 6:30 pm
- August 25, 2022, 6:30 pm
Stakeholder Working Group Presentations and Recordings of Meetings
In case you missed the SWG Committee meeting, you can select the following links for meeting presentations and video recordings that are direct links to the YouTube recordings.
08/25/2022 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided a review of the previous two years of topical review, community outreach update, current project updates, including utility relocation activities. To see the recording, please select August 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
2/24/2022 - EBRC-SWG Meeting today provided project updates, including current utility relocation activities. The discussion about noise and vibration, that was introduced last quarter, continued with a focus on vibration monitoring and the process for monitor and property inspections. To see the recording, please select February 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
11/18/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting provides an update active utility relocation, Community Outreach report, and further discussion on how the project team will be monitoring and mitigating vibration impacts from future construction activities.
November 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/26/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes Station Art Enhancement Program presentation, and introduction to construction noise and vibration assessment and mitigation.
August 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
6/24/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on utility relocation.
June 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
2/25/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on bridge construction, and traffic.
February 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
11/19/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes presentations on the future technology (light rail) and the history leading to the elimination of a station at Ocala in 2014.
November 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/27/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting Orientation and project description.
August 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
Reference Materials
PG&E Greenbook: Provides information about trees clearance under and around transmission lines.
SWG Members
Laura Arechiga, Welch Park Neighborhood Association, District 8
Ernesto Barajas, Cassel Neighborhood Association, District 5
Huascar Castro, Working Partnerships
Craig Ferguson, Thompson Creek Neighborhood Association, District 8
Sandy Flores, Capitol Park Goss Dobern Neighborhood Association, District 5
Julies Nunes, Lyndale Neighborhood Association, District 5
John Peterson, Eastridge Mall
Andres Solomonoff, Brahms/Edgeview Neighborhood Association, District 8
Environmental Documents
VTA has prepared the 2021 Third Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project.
The Third Addendum evaluates the removal of an additional 60 – 70 trees along the east side of Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road. The removal of additional trees is a result of new information, received from PG&E, that trees above a certain height under high voltage electric lines are required to be cleared for public safety reasons and to provide access to the lines for maintenance and repairs.
All trees removed by the Project will be replaced at ratios determined by their size and replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native). In the Second Addendum to the Final SEIR-2 approved in February 2020, the VTA Board approved the payment of in-lieu fees to replace trees within two miles of the project corridor to the maximum extent practicable given the limited right-of-way available for tree replacement within the project limits. According to a tree inventory conducted by a certified arborist, the Project will be required to provide an additional 67 – 128 replacement trees depending on the replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native).
On February 18, 2021, the Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee (CMPP) will make a recommendation to VTA's Board of Directors regarding the adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
On March 4, 2021, VTA's Board of Directors will consider adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
If you have any written comments on the adoption of the Third Addendum and the approval of the change to the Project, it is requested that you submit them as soon as possible but no later than 12:00 pm on February 17, 2021, for the CMPP meeting, and no later than 12:00 pm on March 4, 2021, for the Board meeting.
Verbal comments may also be provided at both meetings via Zoom. The agenda and zoom link are available: Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee Page
Written comments can be submitted via the following methods:
Mail: Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Environmental Programs 3331 North First Street, Building B-2 San José, CA 95134-1927
Email: Christina.Jaworski@vta.org
If you have any questions about the Third Addendum, contact Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner, at Christina.Jaworski@vta.org.
Previous Environmental Documents
Addendum to Environmental Documents
2019 Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2018 Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2014 Final Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration
2012 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2012 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2009-2011 Misc. Environmental Document
2010 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Categorical Exclusion)
Construction Notices
Utility and project construction notices will be posted here, as well as under 'Notices' on the right margin. Check here for a quick search for a notice, the area it pertains to. The latest notices will be on top. Often there is work on the corridor that isn't related to this project, and we can try to help identify if it is not project related. Utility owners will also provide notices to residents and businesses located within 300' of the work area. Any potential interruptions in service will be noticed by the respective utility owner.
10/12/2022: Ongoing Construction Activities for Utility Relocation: PG&E, and their contractor, Underground Construction, will begin the next phase of underground utility relocation of gas and electric services. Additional utility owners that share the same areas, AT&T, Comcast, and Crown Castle will coordinate their activities in same area. Most of the work is occurring on Capitol Expressway, and Capitol Avenue. This phase will continue through mid-2023.
7/25/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Weather and conditions pending, restoration/paving activities could occur through the end of August. Restoration includes paving in multiple areas, including S. Capitol Avenue near the Crossroads Shopping Center, and Highwood Drive. Restoration/Paving will also occur along S. Capitol Avenue @ Bambi Lane, Capitol Expressway @ Kollmar Dr., and Story Road. For additional details, please select San Jose Water Utility Relocation Update.
7/1/2022: West Valley Construction continues to work to connect the new water service to the new fire suppression equipment at Crossroads Shopping Center located at 459 S. Capitol Avenue. San Jose Water Company and its contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will also continue work on the underground water line along Capitol Avenue and relocate the fire hydrant on the sidewalk. The existing sidewalk and roadway next to the Crossroads Shopping Center will be restored after the water line work is completed in the area. Download a PDF copy of the notice.
6/21/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Capitol Avenue/ Crossroads Shopping Center - Weather and conditions permitting, San Jose Water Company, and their contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will continue relocating and installing new underground water lines along Capitol Avenue, next to the Crossroads Shopping Center located at 461 S. Capitol Avenue. Additional work to relocate a fire hydrant and fire suppression equipment will occur on the property in the sidewalk and landscape areas. For complete details, select SJW @ Crossroads June 2022.
6/1/22: PG&E Gas Line Relocation - Weather and conditions pending, PG&E will replace/relocate sections of their natural gas pipeline located on Capitol Avenue between Bambi Lane and Capitol Avenue. The actual time line of the relocation is about 2-weeks. Preliminary activities could delay the start. It will be complete by end of summer. PG&E crews are coordinating activities directly with private property owners. Download PDF copy of the notice.
2/11/22: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will continue relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting. Their activities are expected to last through March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive. Beginning 2/14/22, there will be overnight activities at Capitol Expressway at Story Road intersection.
2/1/2022: (Revised 3/1/2022) MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - Weather and conditions permitting, this activity takes place on the north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Tully Road, and north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Swift Lane. MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the businesses week of 1/31. They have additional work along the expressway at Cunningham and VTA will share the notification when it is received, expected for later this month. Crews will begin working in the Capitol Expressway/Tully Road Intersection March 7. Notices to nearby businesses was provided from Solcom.
11/8/2021: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will begin relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting, November 15. Their activities are expected to last through mid-March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive.
10/5/2021: MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - This is a 2-day activity to clear fiber optic cables out from the area that PG&E is relocating the transmission poles. This activity takes place on the east side of Capitol Expressway, on the sidewalk, between Tully and Quimby Road (in front of In & Out Burger area). MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the businesses week of 9/27. They have additional work along the expressway and VTA will share the notification when it is received.
This activity is complete.
9/20/2021: PG&E Transmission Lines and Poles Relocation begins. PG&E notified customers week of 9/13. This is to clear the old trellis towers in the center of Capitol Expressway with new poles to the east side of Capitol Expressway, clearing space for the future light rail expansion.
This activity was completed in December 2021.
8/27/2021: Utility Relocation Overview Description- noted in Summer 2021 Newsletter, these slides show where the utility companies will be working along Capitol Avenue, Capitol Expressway @ Story Rd, @ Tully Road, and PG&E Transmission lines and pole relocation on Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road.
7/27/2021: Advance Construction - Building Removal, S. Capitol Expressway @ Story Road - Begins on or about August 3, 2021. Summary: VTA will remove (demolish) the building located at 1093 S. Capitol Expressway. It is private property that VTA owns/acquired for the project. Activities are expected to take 4 days. The property will be cleaned and fencing removed on the last day. Community Outreach staff delivered notices to nearby businesses and residents adjacent the property on 7/27/21. There are not business, traffic, or pedestrian impacts. There will be noise impacts from construction equipment.
5/10/2021: Utility Notice - Gas Line Distribution, S. Capitol Avenue - Begins on or about May 24, 2021. PG&E will mail notices (attached above), and call residents and businesses that are located within 300 feet of the areas they are working in to provide details that could impact their service.
Summary: PG&E is replacing sections of their natural gas pipeline on South Capitol Avenue from Lombard Avenue to East Capitol Expressway at Babb Creek in San Jose. Intermittent lane closures, no parking signs in the the work areas will be posted. Please plan for minor delays when driving through the project area.
2/2/2021: Advance Construction Work - Crossroads Shopping Center Notice, expected to begin on or about February 8, 2021.
Summary: Activities are on private property with some intermittent sidewalk and traffic lane impact during tree removal. This notice was mailed on 1/29/2021 to and including the area 1/4 mile of the 461 S. Capitol Ave., emailed to project stakeholders, and to the immediate Nextdoor neighborhoods. Community outreach staff delivered notices door-door to businesses on 2/1/2021. There are no business access impacts.
Monthly Update
Check here for a monthly briefing of current activities. For full details, refer to the notices and newsletters.
EBRC Monthly Update, November 14, 2022
Utility Relocations, Stakeholder Working Group, and Art
Greetings, Since the Summer 2022 Newsletter, and a utility relocation construction notice were provided last month, we want to share a few updates to keep the community current on project activities.
Utility Relocation Activities
Beginning this week, the community will see an increase of activities on Capitol Expressway, especially at the intersection of Capitol Expressway and Story Road. There will be intermittent lane and shoulder closures as needed keep the community and work crews safe. Traffic control includes personnel to assist drivers/pedestrians/bikes, through work areas and with driveway access to businesses. Staff is working closely with the businesses to coordinate and ensure access to them is always available.
Stakeholder Working Group
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Stakeholder Working Group meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2022, has been cancelled. The project does not have major updates to funding or the construction schedule. Currently, we plan to resume our normal schedule in February 2023. To my knowledge, the EBRC-Policy Advisory Board will meet on December 14.
Community Station Art Meetings
The Station Art Enhancement Community Meetings we had anticipated for this fall are scheduled for January 9 and January 11. They will be on-line/virtual meetings. Meeting details will be provided in mid-December. Information will be mailed, posted on the webpage and shared via email.
The meeting on January 9 will be facilitated in English with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and Vietnamese. The meeting on January 11 will be facilitated in Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation in English. We are excited to introduce the artists to the community, and for the artists to meet you! Your knowledge and perspectives of your East San Jose neighborhoods will inspire the artists as they shape the designs for the new light rail stations coming to your community. These meetings are meant for all community members that work or live in the area and are meant for all ages to participate!
Next week is Thanksgiving, and we wish everyone a lovely, warm, and healthy holiday.
Timeline
Title
Preliminary Engineering
Phase Date Range
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Title
Design and Engineering
Phase Date Range
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Title
Environmental Clearance
Phase Date Range
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California Environmental Quality Act Final Environmental Impact Report, dated April 2005 is approved for the Capitol Expressway Light Rail project with an alignment from Alum Rock to Neiman Blvd. in two phases. First phase extends light rail to Eastridge. Second phase to Nieman. Scope includes:
- Elevated tracks from Alum Rock to south of Story Road
- At-grade through Ocala and Cunningham
- Tunnel under Tully Road
- New stations at Story, Ocala/Cunningham, and Eastridge
- Story Road pedestrian overcrossing at all four corners of the intersection to the elevated station
- Kiss and ride lot on the southeast corner of Story Road
- Station located between Ocala and Cunningham
- Pedestrian facilities along Capitol Expressway (new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping)
- Transit Center at Eastridge
- Original draft study evaluated an alignment between the Alum Rock Station and SR 87
California Environmental Quality Act Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, dated April 2007.
Changes are the result of preliminary engineering and include:
- Elimination of the Nieman extension
- Change from tunnel to elevated alignment at Tully Road
- Elimination of 2 of the 4 pedestrian overcrossings at Story Road
- Elimination of the kiss and ride lot at Story Road
- Move station between Ocala and Cunningham closer to Ocala
- Modify electrical transmission towers relocation (PG&E towers)
Phase 1 to include pedestrian and street improvements, followed by the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Phase 2 to complete the light rail extension to Eastridge Transit Center.
Funds to be used for pedestrian and bus improvements, and utility relocation.
California Environmental Quality Act Revised Addendum to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report.
Approves the phasing (Phase 1) of the Pedestrian and Bus Improvements as Phase 1a and Phase 1b.
Staff completes Federal Categorical Exclusion (National Environmental Policy Act, Categorical Exclusion) that makes the Eastridge Transit Center Improvements eligible for federal funding.
Title
Construction
Phase Date Range
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Title
Construction
Phase Date Range
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Phase 1b is to rebuild a new Eastridge Transit Center. Construction is expected to be complete in spring, 2015.
Community, Elected Officials, and VTA staff celebrate the groundbreaking construction of the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Including $24 M for transit center property and transfer of $18 M of available budget from Caltrain Capacity Improvement to this project.
California Environmental Quality Act, dated February 2014. This action removes the Ocala light rail station, eliminates the sidewalk widening between Foxdale Drive and Ocala Avenue, (and resulting property acquisition), and expands Eastridge parking. This was based on environmental review from FTA while VTA was preparing a Federal EIS in order to be eligible for federal funding.
Note: VTA decided to suspend the NEPA process in late 2017 due to lack of federal funding available for this project.
Community, local officials, and VTA staff celebrate the completion and opening of the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Title
Design and Engineering
Phase Date Range
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Engineering contract approved with BKF Engineers for preparation of construction documents for the light rail extension to Eastridge.
Updates to roadway geometry and light rail alignment are to improve the project and mitigate community impacts.
Eastridge to BART Policy Advisory Board recommends approval of staff recommended geometry and light rail alignment changes for VTA Board of Directors action in May 2018. Specifically, the VTA Board will be asked to approve two items:
1. Staff to perform the environmental analysis of the light rail project using California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) criteria, and the staff recommended geometry and vertical light rail alignment.
2. Funding strategy that uses a combination of SB-1 funds and projected savings from other Measure A projects to fund the increased cost resulting from the proposed changes. if the environmental document update and the project changes are approved by the Board at the completion of the environmental analysis.
Project changes to be evaluated in Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
- Extension of elevated structure between Story Road and Tully Road
- Roadway design changes
- Modification to Story Road Pedestrian Overcrossing and Median Access
- Modification to Eastridge Station and Park-and-Ride-Lot
The Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report was released for public review and 45 day comment period.
A Public Meeting was held on October 22.
Comments are due by November 19.
The FINAL Second Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector-Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project (EBRC-CELR) evaluates design changes that have occurred since the Final SEIR-2 was approved in June 2019. VTA is proposing changes to the Project as a result of advances in design and engineering, and updated electrical designs from PG&E. None of these changes are anticipated to have any new significant impacts or an increase in severity of previously identified impacts.
The purpose of today's industry review is for VTA to share an overview of the EBRC project and solicit comments, suggestions, and questions from the contractor community to allow VTA to validate the proposed design approach. The webinar was recorded and will be available July 31. The presentation is available - Industry Review Presentation
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been created. Each SWG member was nominated by the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board to represent the unique constituencies that live, work, and play along the project alignment. Their role is to disseminate information to the stakeholders near the project area and to give feedback to the project team. For more information, select SWG Orientation Meeting.
Preliminary construction activities will occur behind the Crossroads Shopping Center, on private property, in advance of future utility relocation that are expected to begin later this spring. Weather and conditions permitting, this is expected to continue through mid-March.
VTA has prepared the 2021 Third Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project. This is regarding an update to in increase in required tree removal and mitigation.
Title
Utility Relocation
Phase Date Range
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PG&E will relocate an underground 4" gas pipeline located at Capitol Avenue/Capitol Expressway. Open the Utility Notice - Gas Line Distribution, S. Capitol Avenue for details. This activity will be complete by end of July 2021.
The building located at 1093 E. Capitol Expressway has been acquired and owned by VTA. It is currently vacant. It will be removed August 3-6 to make room for construction of light rail that is expected to begin in 2023.
Relocation of PG&E transmission lines and towers begins. Activities expected to continue through December 2021.
MCI/Verizon to relocate cables.
San Jose Water begins underground relocation of water lines. Activities expected to continue through March 2022. More...
This activity takes place on the north and southwest corners of E. Capitol Expressway at Tully Road and Swift Lane. Duration @ 1 month. More...
Report on the selection of artist Pae White and artist team Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan for the project art enhancement at Story Road and Eastridge Stations
Dates and locations updated. Includes notice of overnight work beginning 2/14/22 for @ 3-4 weeks.
On or about June 6, crews will begin relocation of the gas line located along Capitol Avenue @ Story (between Bambi and Story). Select Notice for details. PG&E Crews are responsible for noticing and coordinating activities directly with residents.
Project updates, introduction to station art, project benefits, updated funding and schedule information. This newsletter is provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Download: EBRC Summer 2022 Newsletter
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
6:30 pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89745912952?pwd=OFhjVVNFK2lNeXlyZDJleEUvVGRJQT09
PG&E, and their contractor, Underground Construction, will begin the next phase of underground utility relocation of gas and electric services. Additional utility owners that share the same areas, AT&T, Comcast, and Crown Castle will coordinate their activities in same area. Most of the work is occurring on Capitol Expressway, and Capitol Avenue.
Meet the artists! Station Art Meeting Event Details
Meet the Artists. This meeting facilitated in Spanish. Station Art Meeting Details.