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San Jose— On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will begin work at the intersection of Second and Devine streets for the Downtown Rail Rehabilitation Project.  The scope of the project involves replacing curved rail at three intersections in downtown San Jose, which should significantly reduce “wheel squeal” caused by light rail trains traveling over worn track.  In addition, granite pavers adjacent to the trackway need cleaning or replacement as a result of lubricants being applied to the rails over the years.

VTA’s light rail system is one of the longest to be built in the U.S. in the past 50 years, stretching 42.2-miles throughout Santa Clara County.  The light rail track in downtown San Jose, constructed in the late 1980s, has been in continuous use and has experienced significant wear, especially at locations with small radius curves. This wear has resulted in increased “wheel squeal” at those locations.  Similar track rehabilitation work was completed in 2005 at the intersection of First and San Carlos streets to address concerns regarding the noise created by light rail vehicles negotiating the curves. 

In approximately two weeks, crews will also begin work at a second intersection, Second and San Carlos, with work at a third intersection, First and Devine, taking place this fall. Later in April and in May, the project will include several nights of work and a continuous weekend of work at each location.

Neighborhood and business impacts, pedestrian safety, traffic flow in the downtown area, and public transit service have all been carefully considered during the scheduling of this project. 

Construction crews will try to minimize noise from the daytime removal of granite pavers, and nighttime concrete sawcutting and demolition during the weekend closures.  Concrete trucks, other construction vehicles, pneumatic tools and air compressors may also generate noise.

Traffic lane closures will be necessary on Devine, Second and San Carlos streets while crews are working.  The only full street closure will occur on San Carlos Street between First and Second during the full weekends of work.  Sidewalks for pedestrian access will remain open but temporarily reduced in width at Second and San Carlos and Second and Devine locations.

Impacts to light rail users include the total shutdown of light rail service on two different weekends in the downtown area, with substitute bus service instead being offered.

A tentative schedule of construction and closures is posted on VTA’s website, www.vta.org, in the “projects” section.  For more information on the Rail Rehabilitation Project, contact VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300; TDD only, (408) 321-2330.

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.