At the Joint Powers Board meeting on November 5, Caltrain provided an update to the ongoing process to award contracts to construct the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project and purchase new electric trains.
The agency indicated that three firms were shortlisted to move forward in the design-build procurement process. Six firms were originally prequalified to submit proposals on the construction of the project.
Caltrain will go through a “best and final offer” process with the three shortlisted firms before selecting the design-builder and awarding the contract. A “best and final offer” process is a standard practice used by agencies to negotiate the price and project delivery schedule that best reflects available funding and agency needs. Following the negotiation process, a contract, originally planned for award in 2015, will be proposed for award in summer/fall of 2016. The electric vehicle contract award date will be determined after bids are received in December.
The Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project is part of the Caltrain Modernization Program, which will electrify the corridor between San Francisco and San Jose and purchase new high-performance electric rail vehicles known as electric multiple units (EMUs), upgrade the railroad’s signal system and implement the advanced safety technology known as Positive Train Control.
By 2040, an electrified Caltrain system will reduce Caltrain emissions by up to 97 percent, dramatically increase current weekday ridership with additional service and the downtown San Francisco extension and take more than 600,000 daily vehicle miles off the region’s roadways.
The increased ridership and improved performance from electrification are critical for Caltrain to sustain its services, to meet future demand and restore and improve service at current stations. Weekday service will be restored at Atherton and Broadway (Burlingame) stations.
Caltrain continues to work towards the goal of launching electrified service before the end of 2020.
