Project Update
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project (BSVII) continues its upward momentum halfway through 2026, having already achieved several key milestones this year.
To date, construction crews have completed constructing the structure’s walls, approximately three-quarters of the excavation, most of the structural support systems, and about one-third of the concrete ramp, which is the bottom of the structure. The work remains on schedule and on budget, paving the way for the next phase of construction. Design of the five-mile tunnel, a critical path item, is 100% designed.
Building on that progress, the VTA Board of Directors has approved transitioning the Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST) contract to a Target Price/Incentive-Based Contract model. The approach enhances cost transparency through open-book accounting, strengthens risk management and aligns incentives to support efficient, accountable project delivery. As part of its phased delivery strategy, the Board also authorized $400 million for early works. Any future funding will require additional Board approval, ensuring continued oversight and accountability as the project advances.
In the coming weeks, much of the project staff’s focus will be on submitting the 60% design package to stakeholders and the Cities of San José and Santa Clara. Additionally, BSVII is in the process of a re-baselining effort to establish updated schedule and cost figures following the significant cost-savings measures instituted over the last 18 months.
Preparing the Ground: Moving Towards Construction at 28th Street/Little Portugal BART Station Area
Summer will be a busy season of pre-construction work preparing the future 28th Street/Little Portugal BART Station site.
Following initial soils testing in March, the BSVII team has begun early-phase activities on the station block to prepare for demolition. This stage focuses on careful planning to balance construction readiness, environmental responsibility, and community considerations before demolition begins.
Teams are assessing existing conditions by identifying materials that can be salvaged for reuse while cataloging structures slated for removal. This approach supports sustainability goals and ensures demolition is carried out efficiently. In May, crews safely disconnected utilities, which is an essential step to protect workers and the surrounding community. They also began managing hazardous material removal in compliance with strict safety regulations.
A detailed Noise and Vibration Plan is also being developed. It includes baseline monitoring, projections of construction noise and vibration levels and, if needed, measures that will be implemented to comply with applicable Federal Transit Administration (FTA) thresholds.
Environmental protection remains a key priority. Pre-demolition surveys are being conducted to safeguard wildlife that may inhabit the buildings, including nesting birds and roosting bats. Species such as Mourning Doves and Black Phoebes are monitored due to legal protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, while special attention is given to sensitive bat species like Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat.
Once these preparatory steps are complete, demolition of above-ground structures will proceed, followed by site cleanup. Below ground removal will align with major construction work, helping establish a strong foundation for major construction of the 28th Street/Little Portugal BART Station.
Soils Testing at future Diridon BART Station Area to Prompt Temporary Lot Closure
As part of early site preparation for VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project, the parking lot south of Santa Clara St. between Barack Obama Blvd. and S. Montgomery St.
The future Diridon BART Station area (see map below) will be temporarily closed as early as July 20, 2026, for a duration of three months for soils testing activity. This activity is necessary to prepare the site for future construction and ensure safe and efficient project delivery.
In advance of the closure, VTA is actively coordinating with key stakeholders in the area to ensure a smooth transition. Outreach efforts include stakeholder briefings, technical coordination, public notices and external messaging to minimize impact on Diridon Transit Center users ahead of the closure. Travelers should plan ahead and allow additional time as needed. Pedestrian access to Diridon Transit Center will remain unaffected.
Construction Update
The BSVII project reached significant milestones on-site this season. We recently celebrated a major achievement with approximately three-quarters excavation of the tunnel launch structure completed! This represents years of coordinated planning and execution that marks a critical milestone, bringing us one step closer to making future stations possible.
In April, the final underground support wall panel at the caterpillar shaft was installed. Extending 133.5 feet deep, the D-Walls (underground support walls) combined with the cross walls and Y-panels, form an interconnected supportive structure for excavation and future tunnel boring machine operations.
In early May, we observed National Construction Safety Week. We recognized our hardworking crew members, who have been committed to keeping safety at the forefront of this project. Their efforts are driven through regular safety walks, meetings and site-specific onboarding and trainings. Since construction began in Summer 2024, our crews have worked a total of 800,000 hours safely.
To see just how much progress the project has made, there are drone flyovers of our construction site taken monthly available for public viewing. Watch the videos here.
To receive the BSVII monthly construction updates, sign up here.
Read the recent construction updates from this quarter:
April Monthly Construction Update
BSVII In the Community
BART Board of Directors: The BSVII team welcomed a BART Board of Directors’ Janice Li and Liz Ames, on a tour of the West Portal Launch Structure. The partnership is vital in delivering the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension.
California Transportation Commission: The BSVII team had the honor of welcoming the California Transportation Commission (CTC) on a tour of the West Portal Launch Structure construction. The commission recently distributed $1 million in grants to the project.
Viva Calle: BSVII team members took to the streets at Viva Calle, an open street event that brings people and communities together to walk, bike, skate, play and explore the City of San José. We shared the vision of what it would be like to also take public transit around the Bay with the BART extension into Silicon Valley.
San José Earthquakes: Goal! BSVII’s neighbor, San José Earthquakes, had the team out at one of its games in May to share updates on construction nearby at Newhall Yard and project information.
SJSU Earth Day: In May, BSVII team members connected with San José State University students in celebration of Earth Day to share project updates.
Employee Spotlight
The BSVII Project is fueled by a team of dedicated individuals working to bring this historic project to life. We’re excited to introduce this quarter’s Team Member Spotlight, Jason Pielech, our Program Health & Safety Manager from Bechtel Corporation.
As a young college athlete, Pielech found himself at the crossroads when he broke both his hands, ending his football aspirations.
“I found myself uncertain about the direction I wanted to take in life,” he said. “My father encouraged me to either join the military or pursue an opportunity with a family member who worked in the Environment, Safety, and Health field (ES&H).”
He chose ES&H, which ultimately launched his 25-year career in construction safety. Construction safety managers are critical to the successful execution of construction projects. They serve as leaders in worker protection, regulatory compliance, and proactive risk mitigation. Their expertise and leadership contribute to the prevention of incidents, the promotion of a strong safety culture and a productive work environment.
“Safety is personal to me because I genuinely enjoy what I do and take pride in contributing to an environment where workers can perform their jobs safely and return home to their families each day,” Pielech said.
Pielech is proud to work on the BSVII project where the team has worked more than 800,000 hours without lost time or reportable injuries, a substantial feat for a project of its size and complexity. Pielech said this proves that the project’s safety culture is strong and starts from the top.
“I don’t see safety as a priority, I see it as a value because priorities can change but values don’t,” Pielech said.
Calendar Look Ahead
Save the dates for future meetings.
Tuesday, September 15 – Downtown-Diridon Community Working Group
Wednesday, September 16 – 28th Street/Little Portugal Community Working Group
Thursday, September 17 – Santa Clara Community Working Group
In Case you missed it!
Bike to Work Day was on Thursday, May 14, and the BSVII team featured one of our regular two-wheeled commuters, Gil Navarrete, a transportation planner for the project. By extending BART service through San José and Santa Clara, we’re ringing the Bay with transit, and biking is a great way to achieve your last mile on the way to work.
