Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project, C700 – Line, Track, Stations, and Systems, Penitencia Creek

Valley Transit Authority (VTA)

AVA’s Role: AVA prepared the landscape construction documents and specifications and provided construction administration for a creek and habitat restoration project in San Jose. As part of the stormwater mitigation for the Berryessa Extension — which runs from Fremont to San Jose with stations in Milpitas and San Jose — AVA served on the design-build team as architect of record, landscape architect, and engineer for the stations, street crossings, and the Upper Penitencia Creek Wetland Mitigation project.

Penitencia Creek

Description: As part of the $780 million BART extension, AVA provided architectural design for two heavy-rail stations in Milpitas and San Jose. Beyond the station campuses and street crossings, the project required stormwater mitigation. Upper Penitencia Creek was extensively restored, transformed from a narrow, channelized storm-drain corridor into a wider, open creek that reestablished habitat for native plants and wildlife.

AVA’s construction documents incorporated log retaining walls, enhanced stormwater outfall areas, rock outcroppings, and plantings propagated from source material collected within a 10-mile radius of the site. The drawings and completed work were reviewed and approved by BART, VTA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the City of San Jose, among other agencies. AVA also provided design services during construction and secured the approvals needed for final installation.