Santa Clara VTA announces light-rail track work planned for February

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has announced two sections of light-rail tracks are undergoing routine maintenance in the coming weeks as part of VTA’s Rail Rehabilitation and Replacement Program.  

This work will require some temporary bus bridges and road closures, so riders are encouraged to plan ahead.  

Virginia Station track maintenance 

The first round of track rehab took place over the weekend of Feb. 5-6 adjacent to the Virginia Station (Blue Line) in San Jose. 

Crews swapped out wood ties that are due for replacement. VTA implemented a bus bridge between Convention Center and Tamien Stations to avoid construction. 

As the tracks run along CA-87, the left lane of the highway was closed in both directions to accommodate track work. 

1st & Younger Track Replacement 

The second round of track rehab will be more disruptive to both passengers and drivers.  

Starting Feb. 17, through March 4, crews are replacing the embedded tracks running through the intersection of 1st and Younger, between E. Hedding and I-880. The intersection will be closed to both vehicle and foot traffic for much of the project, so expect lane closures and detours. 

This is a crucial rail junction, known as the Younger “Half Grand,” where trains enter and exit the Guadalupe Yard maintenance facility, in addition to operating Green and Blue Line service along 1st Street. 

A bus bridge will be in effect between Gish and Civic Center Stations for the duration of the project as trains will be unable to operate through the area. Riders should plan for extra travel time, given the temporary bus bridge and ongoing operator shortages. 

Exact dates are still being finalized, but work is currently scheduled to begin in mid-February and should last for three weeks into early March. Expect station signage and social media reminders leading up to construction. 

Track replacement is a large undertaking, which will include jackhammering, dust and night work. Crews will install a temporary noise-dampening perimeter fence, and neighbors will receive notice of construction two weeks in advance.  

Some history 

The embedded rail dates to the system’s original construction in the 1980s. At the time, girder rail was the VTA standard for embedded light-rail track, while tee rail was used for open ballast track. Since then, tee rail has become the VTA standard for all track conditions.  

Using a single track type is beneficial to the state of good repair program, as it makes it easier to maintain the track and tee rail tends to last longer. The result is reduced cost of track maintenance. In addition, tee rail is more readily available and can be purchased locally in the U.S., while girder rail is typically purchased from overseas.