Santa Clara VTA looks to save $400 million by switching tunnel contractors on BART project
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is said to be seeking a new tunneling contractor for the $12.7 billion Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) extension through downtown San Jose, Calif., Progressive Railroading reported. Authority leaders this week will make a board recommendation to exit its current contract with Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST).
According to Progressive Railroading and an agency press release, VTA, which is overseeing the project, wants to switch contractors for the tunnel project due to budget concerns, citing that the current contractor has been unable to meet budget expectations.
VTA Chair Sergio Lopez stated that the Authority staff have identified a potential cost savings of around $400 million by conducting a thorough review of the project.
Through confidential discussions, multiple nationally recognized tunneling contractors have affirmed an interest in partnering with VTA to deliver the work, VTA officials said.
The off-ramping decision and new procurement may extend the project's timeline, agency staff acknowledged. KST, a joint venture, will complete the early BART to Silicon Valley construction activities that the company initiated, which includes building the portal for the future tunnel work, they said.
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