Mountain View Double Track
Project Summary
VTA’s Mountain View Light Rail Double Track Project, when complete, will have added a second light rail track between the Mountain View and Whisman stations in Mountain View. Work is scheduled to be completed late in 2015, with all improvements fully operational for the 2016 SuperBowl being held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.Project Benefits
Adding a second light rail track between the Mountain View and Whisman stations will allow VTA to provide:
- Better on-time service for commuters transferring between Caltrain and VTA Light Rail at the Mountain View Station.
- A direct connection to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
- Additional service to Mountain View as ridership increases.
Construction Updates
- 10 30 15 Early November Construction Update
- 10 29 15 November Bus Bridges
- 10 06 15 Middlefield-Mountain View Bus Bridge Oct. 10-11
- 10 06 15 Weekend Work for Whisman Station Area
- 09 24 15 Night Work Near Whisman Station to Continue
- 09 16 15 Central Expressway Traffic Advisory
- 09 15 15 Weekend Light Rail Shutdown between Mountain View and Whisman
- 09 10 15 Ride Light Rail to Art and Wine Festival on Sunday!
- 09 08 15 Whisman Station Closed Wednesday and Thursday
- 09 01 15 Major Lane Shifts on Central Expressway This Weekend
- 09 01 15 MV to Middlefield Bus Bridge Sept. 5-13
- 08 26 15 Big Construction Push Coming Labor Day Week
- 08 12 15 Expect Increased Construction Work Labor Day Weekend
- 07 31 15 Weekend Construction Activities Slated
- 07 27 15 MV to Lockheed Bus Bridge on August 1 and 2
- 07 17 15 MV to Lockheed Bus Bridge on July 18 and 19
- 07 17 15 Weekend Construction Update
- 07 10 15 2015 Community Newsletter
- 07 10 15 Eight Days of Mountain View Bus Bridging Starts Sunday
- 07 06 15 No Light Rail Service to Mountain View July 12-19
- 07 01 15 Temporary Central Expressway Lane Shifts at Light Rail Crossing
- 06 17 15 Full Closure of Whisman Station Drive This Weekend
- 05 28 15 Continuous Weekend Work June 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
- 05 27 15 Mostly Day Work Scheduled Near Whisman Station
- 05 27 15 Light Rail Shutdown between Mountain View and Lockheed June 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
- 05 27 15 Bus Bridge Flyer
- 05 14 15 Full Weekend of Construction Activities at Evelyn Station
- 05 14 15 Weekend Work Scheduled Near Whisman Station
- 05 13 15 No Light Rail Service in Mountain View this Weekend
- 05 04 15 Evelyn Station Demolition Continues
- 04 28 15 Evelyn Station Demolition Update
- 04 23 15 No Light Rail to Mountain View April 25-26. Substitute bus Service Provided
- 04 22 15 Expect Continuous Construction Activity this Weekend
- 04 09 15 Demolition of Closed Evelyn Light Rail Station Begins
- 04 06 15 Nighttime Dirt Hauling, Sampling Scheduled
- 04 02 15 Night Activities Near Whisman Station to Begin
- 03 16 15 Evelyn Station Now Closed
What is Phase 1?
Phase 1 will include the construction of a second light rail track from Mountain View Station to just short of the SR 85 overcrossing and also a new, longer storage track to replace the existing storage track located east of Mountain View Station. Phase 1 will shift both Caltrain tracks closer to Evelyn Avenue to create room for the second light rail track.
Phase 1 will include the installation of communications and signal systems. Project construction will begin in summer 2014 and will be completed by summer 2015.
What is Phase 2?
Construction of Phase 2 will begin early in 2015 and includes extending the second light rail track from SR 85 to Whisman Station. This work includes crossing Central Expressway and working in the residential area near Whisman Station. Phase 2 also requires the closure of the Evelyn Light Rail Station. This work is scheduled to be completed in late 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does VTA talk to the community?
Electronic communications, in the form of e-mail updates, will be regularly utilized. An extensive stakeholder list has been created and VTA will work with the City of Mountain View community outreach and social media staff to share project information. On-site signage is planned and flyer drops will take place as appropriate. Targetted outreach will also be directed toward local residents and Evelyn station users.
Are there service impacts?
Construction will take place in a narrow, active railroad corridor. Construction activities will be coordinated to minimize impacts to both VTA and Caltrain operations. On Caltrain, one track is planned to be taken out of service for two weekends. Both Caltrain and VTA work is being scheduled to avoid special event weekends. For Phase 2, the Evelyn Light Rail Station will be closed permanently early in 2015. VTA anticipates the possibility of up to three weekend shutdowns of light rail service for completing major work during Phase 2. Any service changes required for construction activities will be announced well in advance. For both Phase 1 and 2, alternate bus service will be provided during service shutdowns to ensure transit service is available.
Will there be impacts to local streets and Central Expressway?
Lane closures on Central Expressway will take place as required. Closures are typically only allowed during no commute hours; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and after 8 p.m. at nighttime. Any lane closures on local streets will be announced using public outreach methods detailed elsewhere on this page.
Will there be impacts to residents?
Work will take place mostly within the Caltrain and VTA rail corridors. Evelyn Avenue and Central Expressway provide separation from nearby residences. Signal work and other construction that does not require light rail shutdowns will take place during the daytime for both Phase 1 and 2. Other project work will occur during nighttime hours. Phase 2 impacts a residential neighborhood and VTA is working closely with the home owners associations in this area to address construction concerns. VTA will issue construction updates to inform residents and will diligently monitor and respond to any incoming comments.
Tree removal along Central Expressway:
There are four trees alongside Central Expressway that will be removed as part of the Phase 1 project when a new access driveway to the VTA rail corridor is constructed. VTA issued a public notice earlier this year and will do so again before the work proceeds. The Phase 2 project will remove up to 21 trees along Central Expressway. VTA is funding tree planting in city parks medians, and public areas throughout the community, as the City and County have identified no suitable locations for replacement trees within the project corridor, as Central Expressway is very densely planted.
Phase II Environmental Documents
Final Environmental Document (July 2014)
- Notice of Availability of the Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration
Draft Environmental Document (May 2014)
- Notice of Availability/Notice of Intent (PDF)
- Draft Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (PDF)
Click here to download the accessible presentation and display boards from the May 22, 2014 public input meeting in Mountain View (large file).
