Caltrain nears end of Guadalupe Bridge Replacement Project

Caltrain has announced final suspension of service between Tamien and San Jose Diridon stations on Sept. 19–20 in order to complete repairs to the Guadalupe River Bridge. Repairs are part of the $171 million Guadalupe Bridge Replacement Project, which encompasses the replacement of the original 1935 northbound bridge and seismic improvements to the southbound bridge.

Caltrain operates along California's San Francisco Peninsula, through the South Bay to San Jose and Gilroy. To accommodate construction, passenger rail service to Tamien station was scheduled for suspension on select weekends in July, August and September. Caltrain has completed the placement of the northbound bridge deck, seismic improvements of the southbound bridge and begun restoration activities for the river channel.

Caltrain expects to finish the bridge construction by October. The Guadalupe Bridge supports Caltrain, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter rail service. Caltrain operates on two tracks, northbound and southbound, over the Guadalupe River in San Jose, just north of Tamien Station.

The northbound track is on a wooden trestle bridge constructed in 1935 and the southbound track is on a concrete bridge constructed in 1990. Each bridge requires different levels of construction.

The bridges are located in an area of high erosion and are at risk of bank failure during storm events. Riverbank failures have occurred in several previous years, requiring emergency stabilization measures. To address these safety issues and protect the rail bridges, the project will conduct channel work, including erosion prevention, and complete the necessary enhancements to the rail bridges to maintain safe and reliable operations for all users.

The 1935 wooden Northbound Bridge has been damaged by multiple fires and will be replaced with a new concrete structure to meet current railroad structural design standards and seismic criteria. The replacement bridge structure will be 265 feet.

Because the Southbound Bridge was constructed in 1990, full replacement is not necessary; however, the southern end of the bridge structure will be extended due to river flow speeds and riverbank erosion. The bridge will be 250 feet with the extension.

Project funders include California Transportation Commission, California Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, San Mateo County Transit District, San Francisco County Transportation Authority, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, Union Pacific Railroad, and the Valley Transportation Authority. The project cost is $171.4 million.

Source: Caltrain