VTA Offers Initial Response to Management and Oversight Report of BSVII

BART Silicon Valley Phase II

Courtesy of VTA

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has reviewed the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury's report of the BART Silicon Valley Phase II and has offered clarifications.

The Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury released a Management and Oversight report of BART Silicon Valley Phase II on June 17, 2026. The 40-page report goes into the background and methodology before detailing its investigation of financial risks and oversight concerns. It details 10 findings and subsequent recommendations. The first of which is that the project “currently requires voter approval of additional sales tax measures to address gaps in construction and operations funding” with the recommendation that it adopt and publish a strategy “for the completion and operation of the project that reduces dependency on new sales tax measures” by the end of the year.

The VTA says while it “appreciates” the review of BSVII, there are “several factual inaccuracies” in the findings. The report (below) references project funding sources. The VTA says any reference to $375 million of Regional Measure 3 (RM3) is related to the RM3 bridge toll that was enacted by voters in the area in 2018. None of the project funding is contingent on pending sales tax measures. The VTA has also said no funding from a potential November 2026 ballot measure will go toward the project. The VTA will address “other factual inaccuracies” in a formal response due within 90 days.

VTA’s Management and Oversight of BART Silicon Valley Phase II Report

The BSVII project is under construction and “continues to make measurable progress,” says VTA. Crews finished support of excavation work for the tunnel launch structure, and work remains “on schedule and within budget.” Additionally, the VTA says it has increased project oversight in recent years with the creation of the BSVII Oversight Committee, which provides updates every month to the VTA Board of Directors. The VTA states that issues discussed in the report have already been raised and either already resolved or are actively being addressed.