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CPSD/RTSS/MLC/DAR/SCA/E9J/vdl Date of Issuance 3/23/2012

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Consumer Protection and Safety Division

Rail Transit and Crossings Branch

Rail Transit Safety Section

Resolution ST-139

March 22, 2012

R E S O L U T I O N

RESOLUTION ST-139 GRANTING APPROVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT'S (BART) SAFETY AND SECURITY CERTIFICATION PLAN FOR THE EAST CONTRA COSTA BART EXTENSION PROJECT (eBART)

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Summary

This resolution grants San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District's request for approval of its "Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension," dated June, 2011.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) transit operations consist of 104 miles of rail line and 44 stations serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

The East Contra Costa BART Extension Project (eBART) will extend transit rail service eastward from the existing Pittsburg Bay Point Station. This new service will use Diesel Multiple Unit trains on standard gauge tracks. The Project will include vehicle procurement; modifications to the existing BART rail tracks at the Pittsburg Bay Point Station; construction of a Transfer Platform at the Pittsburg Bay Point Station that will interface with the existing BART system; approximately 10 miles of double track in the median of California State Route 4 (SR4); a station in the median of SR4 at the Railroad Avenue Interchange; a station in the median of SR4 at the Hillcrest Interchange; and a parking lot, yard and maintenance facility east of the Hillcrest interchange and north of the SR4 Right-of-Way. Additionally, widening work on SR4 including improvements that interface with and facilitate the eBART Project is being performed by the Contra Costa Transportation Agency and Caltrans.

Background

Commission General Order 164-D, Rules and Regulations Governing State Safety Oversight of Rail Fixed Guideway Systems, requires Rail Fixed Guideway Systems to prepare a project-specific Safety and Security Certification Plan (SSCP) for each major project and ensure that all entities involved in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project comply with its requirements.

The SSCP verifies the organizational authority and responsibilities, safety certification activities, processes, procedures, documentation requirements and responsibilities, and reporting requirements are defined and all stakeholder parties are compliant and in agreement with the contents of the SSCP.

At the conclusion of construction and testing the rail transit agency will submit a written Safety Certification Verification Report (SCVR), as required by General Order 164-D, at least 21 calendar days prior to start of service. California Public Utilities Commission staff (staff) shall respond to the SCVR within nine (9) calendar days of filing by indicating that it approves the SCVR, or identifying areas that are not acceptable to staff. Staff shall give its approval of the SCVR by issuing a formal letter to BART.

On August 18, 2011, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) submitted the "Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension Project" to staff for review. On August 18, 2011, BART also submitted a letter to staff requesting the Commission's approval for the "Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension Project."

Discussion

The SSCP was filed as required by General Order 164-D. BART worked with staff to ensure the SSCP is comprehensive. Staff reviewed the final Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension, dated June 2011, in accordance with General Order 164-D Section 11, Requirements for Safety Certification Plan. The SSCP is in compliance with General Order 164-D and staff recommends that the Commission grants approval of the BART SSCP.

Notice

Notice of the filing was made in the Commission's Daily Calendar on February 22, 2012.

Comments

The draft resolution of the Consumer Protection and Safety Division in this matter was mailed in accordance with Section 311 of the Public Utilities Code and Rule 14.2(c) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. No comments were received.

Findings

1. On August 18, 2011, BART submitted its "Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension Project" to staff for review.

2. On August 18, 2011, BART submitted a letter to staff requesting the Commission's approval of the "Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension Project."

3. Staff reviewed the SSCP and found it in accordance with General Order 164-D.

Therefore, IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District's request for approval of its Safety and Security Certification Plan for the East Contra Costa BART Extension Project is granted.

2. Bay Area Rapid Transit shall submit the Safety Certification Verification Report to CPUC staff upon project completion, at least 21 calendar days prior to the start of service.

3. This resolution is effective today.

I certify that this resolution was duly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Commission at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 22, 2012. The following Commissioners voted favorably thereon:

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