VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension awarded $40 million from state

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
image description
Columns for the future Berryessa Station.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Another $40 million in Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding was allocated to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Project by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

 

The funding approval for Fiscal Year 2014, made during the CTC August meeting, marks the fifth of six installments under the state of California TCRP Allocation Plan, which was adopted by the CTC in September 2008.

“BART to Silicon Valley is firmly on-track,” said CTC Vice Chair Carl Guardino, who is CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. “This funding will stimulate the economy and job growth, plus ultimately enhance local and regional rail access. When the BART line reaches San Jose in four years, it will provide a convenient public transportation option to the hub of the innovation economy and reduce freeway overcrowding.”

The current $40-million allocation is designated for construction of the 10-mile BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension. Current construction activities include trenching and bridge construction to separate the future BART system from major roadways, major utility relocations throughout the project corridor and the foundation for the Berryessa BART Station.

The BART Silicon Valley Extension Project was identified as one of 53 projects statewide eligible to receive TCRP funds in 2000, when legislation passed creating the program. The TCRP legislation identified $760 million for the entire Fremont to San Jose corridor. To date, BART has received a total of $111 million for the BART Warm Springs Extension and VTA has received approximately $610 million, with $39 million expected next year.

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