Downtown SF Rail Extension Project receives $3.38B in federal funding
(KRON) — Officials gathered Monday at the Salesforce Transit Center to celebrate $3.38 billion in funding from the Federal Transit Administration for work on “The Portal,” otherwise known as the Downtown Rail Extension Project. Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) said the project is now two-thirds funded.
After a three-decade-long promise, The Portal is intended to extend Caltrain services from Fourth and King streets and, ultimately, the California High-Speed Rail system in downtown San Francisco and connect 11 transit systems.
Contra Costa County residents can get cash for buying an e-bike
The six-level transit hub project has been over 30 years in the making. Organizers TJPA envision delivering a “seamless” transportation service through the Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco.
The 1.3-mile extension will be constructed principally below ground using mined tunneling methods underneath Townsend and Second streets. The project includes an underground station at Fourth and Townsend streets, along with the Salesforce Transit Center’s basement levels, six structures for emergency exit, and ventilation.
When The Portal is complete, the already-built two-level train box will serve as the lower concourse and train platform levels.
The Lower Concourse will house rail ticketing, passenger waiting areas, and support spaces. At its east end, it will connect to the intercity bus terminal and a pedestrian tunnel leading to the Embarcadero BART/Muni station, approximately one block north of the Transit Center.
Along with ticketing and passenger waiting areas for rail and support spaces, the Lower Concourse will also contain retail space.
The Train Platform will contain six tracks and three platforms for Caltrain commuter and high-speed rail service. To support rail service, back-of-house support spaces will also be built on the Train Platform level.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is a major funder of the Salesforce Transit Center, providing more than $360 million for the $2.3 billion project.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
