Bechtel Awarded $490 Million Contract to Manage Construction of Largest Infrastructure Project in Santa Clara County History

Santa Clara County, CA—The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has selected Bechtel, a global engineering and construction company based in Reston, Virginia, to provide construction management services for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II extension, according to a company news release. The contract is valued at $490 million.

BART’s Phase II is a massive undertaking that will extend the rail system by six miles, adding four new stations and nearly six miles of tunnels. This expansion will connect Santa Clara County residents in North San Jose and Santa Clara with the existing BART network, significantly improving regional transportation options.

Bechtel is no stranger to the BART system. The company played a key role in its development, leading the design and construction of the original system in the 1960s as part of a joint venture. Bechtel also oversaw the engineering and construction of Phase I of the Silicon Valley Line, which opened to riders in 2020.

The project is expected to cost a total of $12.8 billion, a significant increase from the original $4.7 billion estimate in 2014. This rise in cost reflects evolving project needs and construction market fluctuations. Despite the higher price tag, the VTA and Bechtel are confident that the project will deliver substantial long-term benefits to the region.

This rail expansion is part of a nationwide trend of increased investment in infrastructure projects. While transit spending has dipped slightly, experts like Marsia Geldert-Murphey, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, see a positive outlook for the sector, particularly in passenger and light rail projects.

Bechtel is scheduled to begin work on the 10-year project later this year. Upon completion, the extension is expected to serve nearly 55,000 daily passengers by 2040, significantly reducing traffic congestion and improving commutes for residents of Santa Clara County.