Caltrain Ponderosa

Completed in May 2001 by Kiewit Pacific Co., a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, this $58 million project included an overhaul of the 47-mile main rail line between San Francisco and San Jose. Caltrain operates 68 trains along the line each weekday, serving downtown centers through nearly every city on the San Francisco peninsula, as well as two major airports.

Scope of work for this 14-month project included reconstructing 10 miles of double-track, four train stations, platforms and shelters; installing $7 million worth of train signalization; renovating surrounding parking lots; realigning track with new transit centers and train stations; flattening out curves; and improving drainage.

Delays to the line reopening on schedule would have resulted in $15,000 in liquidated damages per train, but the project was completed without adverse impact on train service. Crews worked around the clock, removing and replacing track from Friday night to Monday morning while the trains were shut down. The most restrictive part of the project was the replacement of tracks in the existing tunnels near San Francisco. This work was also completed without delay or major incident affecting rail service.