AECOM and the Portal Connectors team has been selected by the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) to provide program management and construction management services for San Francisco’s Downtown Rail Extension (DTX) project, also known as the Portal.
The tunnelling and station megaproject will extend Caltrain service from its current terminal at Fourth and King Streets to the Salesforce Transit Centre and accommodate future California High-Speed Rail service. Once complete, the extension will serve as a key regional rail connection with a combined average ridership forecast of 90,000 daily riders connecting with 11 Bay area transit systems. The total planned construction length of the Portal is approximately 3.5km.
“AECOM has been proud to support the TJPA since the inception of the Transbay Program, and we’re thrilled to help deliver the next phase of this transformative investment,” said Mark Southwell, chief executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “Our world class tunneling capabilities and fully integrated service offerings address all aspects of large-scale tunnel projects, making us well positioned to deliver this crucial work that will serve as a lynchpin for the region’s long-term transit needs.”
Portal Connectors, a team led by AECOM, will be responsible for implementing an operating model to successfully deliver an array of program management and project supervision services in support of the Portal. This includes effective execution of key activities such as obtaining FTA funding, finalizing the procurement plan in 2024, activating collaborative delivery models, designing and building the tunnel stations, and integrating The Portal with existing rail systems and operations.
The 2km of rail extension is expected to be constructed principally below grade using cut-and-cover and mined tunnelling methods underneath Townsend and Second Streets. The project includes an underground station at Fourth and Townsend Streets along with the Salesforce Transit Center’s basement levels, utility relocation, track and systems work.
“Our capabilities across all forms of rail projects, from urban transit to high-speed and regional rail, continue to make us a trusted partner for our global clients seeking integrated rail solutions,” said Drew Jeter, chief executive of AECOM’s Program Management global business line. “We look forward to leveraging these capabilities as we help deliver this multi-modal transit hub, which will support transformative mobility and environmental benefits for the Bay Area and beyond.”
The Portal is the second phase of the TJPA’s Transbay Program. The first phase replaced the former Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco with the modern, multimodal Salesforce Transit Center.
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