Calif.'s VTA lands first of its kind FTA funding allocation for rail extension

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams announced the allocation of $125 million to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II project. The project is the first to receive a funding allocation under FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program.

Williams made the announcement at the Berryessa Transit Center, one of two stations VTA has built for the BART Silicon Valley Extension. The Berryessa station and the BART Station in Milpitas are set to open for passenger service at the end of this year.

The allocation through the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program streamlines project delivery, allowing VTA to fast track its funding process by more than 14 months.

To receive funding under the pilot program, VTA must fund at least 75% of the project cost through local, state, and other non-federal contributions, including a public-private partnership. Measure A in 2000 and 2016’s Measure B, passed by Santa Clara County voters, along with California’s SB 1, are all providing funding for the $5.81-billion-dollar Phase II project. In turn, FTA will expedite the review and evaluation of application materials under a streamlined review process as authorized by law.

The BART Silicon Valley Phase II project is a 6.5-mile, four-station extension of the BART system from the Berryessa Station through downtown San Jose to the City of Santa Clara.