August 2025 Project Update: Alternatives Development Report Published

The Diridon Partner Agencies (Caltrain, California High-Speed Rail Authority, City of San José, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and Valley Transportation Authority) are excited to share the Diridon Station Alternatives Development Report (formerly known as the Diridon Business Case). This is a major milestone in the transformation of Diridon Station into a world-class transit hub.

The Alternatives Development Report is the result of a two-year planning and design process to identify the best path forward for Diridon Station. It documents the evaluation of multiple station layout options, developed through extensive engineering, ridership forecasting, and urban design analysis. The report's recommendations were shaped by over 5,700 points of input from the community across over 40 engagement events.

The Alternatives Development Report explains:

  • the vision, goals, and objectives of the project

  • the different station design alternatives that were considered

  • how the alternatives compare in terms of cost, constructability, access, and passenger experience

  • the reasons that the At-Grade Alternative emerged as the recommended option

  • how the at-grade design supports long-term transit growth, neighborhood integration, and historic preservation

  • the Diridon Program of Projects that are separate from, but complimentary to the Diridon Station

  • upcoming work and next steps

An artist's concept of the view from Santa Clara Street toward a plaza on the eastern side of the future station with lots of people walking, talking, and dining

On May 21, 2025, the Steering Committee approved the At-Grade Alternative to move into environmental review (read more here). The At-Grade Alternative keeps tracks and platforms at today's street level. This alternative will dig under the tracks to create a new worldclass station, improving passenger experience and invigorating Downtown San José. It was selected for its constructability, operational feasibility, cost effectiveness, and customer experience.

The Partner Agencies will now begin the state and federal environmental review process for Diridon Station. That process will take three to four years.

As environmental review progresses, we will keep working on the Diridon Program of Projects. Those projects include more complex street crossings at Park Avenue, San Carlos Street, Auzerais Avenue, and West Virginia Street. We will also begin technical studies to explore strategies to deliver the project, including construction phasing and strategies to minimize the construction timeline.

To read the full Alternatives Development Report and learn more about the future of Diridon Station, please read the Executive Summary, Main Report, and Appendices.

Colin Heyne