The Downtown Rail Extension (DTX) is a planned extension of the Caltrain commuter rail system from its current terminus at Fourth and King Streets to the new Transit Center in downtown San Francisco. Successful delivery of this multi-billion-dollar rail extension will require the careful coordination and alignment of numerous project partners including Caltrain and CHSRA who will be operating train service using the future infrastructure. 

Access is leading an initiative to explore and select the best institutional governance arrangement for the delivery of the DTX Rail Program through design, construction, and operational phases. A set of recommendations were developed and reviewed in close collaboration with project partners and stakeholders. Access worked collaboratively with the project team and stakeholders to build consensus and resolve challenges observed by stakeholders – tailoring the recommendations to the specific needs of the DTX project. The recommendations of the initial phase of work (the Governance Study) were accepted by the delivery agency’s board (TJPA). 

With the completion of the Governance Study and the TJPA Board’s approval, the Access team worked closely with SFCTA and MTC to develop the Governance Blueprint – a plan to put into place the required governance structure to deliver the DTX project. The Governance Blueprint draws on the input of project partners and outlines an actionable plan for implementing the necessary project governance structure ahead of the start of procurement. The work to date has successfully navigated a complex network of stakeholder interests to find a framework for governance that will maximize the probability of a successful project going forward.