Caltrain Tracks to be Ripped Out

What:

Caltrain construction crews will begin track reconstruction in Millbrae on Saturday, Aug. 17. This labor-intensive work will require that approximately 1,400 feet of track be pulled out and replaced with upgraded track. Caltrain is inviting the news media to view and photograph the activities.

Who:

Caltrain's North CTX construction manager will be present along with the Public Information team to answer questions about the 22-month construction project.

When:

Saturday, Aug. 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:

North of the new Millbrae Intermodal Station.
From Highway 101:
Exit at Millbrae Avenue heading west towards El Camino Real
Make a right turn on El Camino Real
Make a right turn on Center Street
Make a right on Monterey Avenue
Park near the Santa Paula Avenue pedestrian crossing,
where Monterey Avenue dead ends.

Why:

The CTX project, the largest rail improvement in Caltrain's history, is modernizing Caltrain for the 21st century. The project will result in a centralized traffic control system, known as CTC, passing tracks in three locations. Caltrain is also taking this opportunity to upgrade and replace jointed rail along the 139 year-old rail corridor with newer continuous welded rail, which offers a smoother ride. CTC eliminates the need to manually operate track switches, a key to decreasing travel time. When the improvements are completed in the spring of 2004, Caltrain will be able to offer safer, more flexible service, including Baby Bullet express service between San Francisco and San Jose.