Calif.’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Google Inc. entered into a cooperative agreement to conceptually study a range of transportation options to better connect the North Bayshore area in Mountain View, Calif., with adjacent local and regional public transportation networks.

In the coming years the North Bayshore area is expected to add thousands of new jobs, including the potential development of retail spaces and residential units. Study goals include reducing single occupant vehicle trips and expanding public travel choices.

“The North Bayshore area has the potential to be a world class example of mixed use and corporate enterprise,” said Mountain View Mayor John McAlister. “It is exciting to see Google working with the Valley Transportation Authority and the City of Mountain View to make sure that footprint will be sensitive to our environment.”

The study will include an analysis of possible mass transit connections to the North Bayshore area, including a light rail connection from the NASA/Bayshore station, new bridge crossings over Stevens Creek, and the development and/or application of new technologies.

The study will result in a set of near, mid and long term recommendations for further study designed ultimately to lead to the implementation of projects, programs and services.