Hamilton Light Rail Station Elevator Gets an Upgrade

The Hamilton Light Rail Station was opened in 2005, connecting Campbell to its surrounding neighbors as part of the Vasona line.

Now, the station is one of 10 light rail stations that will receive upgrades and renovations to their elevators, beginning March 21.

According to a release by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the upgrades being done include:

• the installation of new cab walls,
• ceilings and flooring,
• new controllers,
• new speakers
• and emergency communications and video systems.

In addition to these, there will be new overhead canopies installed above elevator entrances to for weather protection.

The escalators will also be addressed, with step and step chain replacement as well as the installation of new controllers, wiring and safety switches, the release stated.

The project, which will be done in three phases will cost approximately $4.2 million and is about 70 percent federally funded, with VTA providing the remainder.

Campbell's Hamilton Station will be part of the third phase, starting tentatively July 9 and finishing July 19.

"It's a relatively short closure," Childress said. "Hamilton is a newer station and part of our newer recent extention, which we refer to as the Vasona Line. It is not that old compared to the rest of the system."

This third phase will also include the Curtner and Virginia stations, but these will be tentatively closed from July 9 to Sept. 5.

Phase one began March 21 and impacts the Blossom Hill, Branham and Cottle stations. The second group includes Capitol, Tamien and both elevators at Snell.

For more information or to find alternatives during the closures, visit the VTA's website.