VTA is committed to providing transparent information on the funding for BSVII and will continue to update cost estimates and funding strategies as the Project advances into construction.
To make VTA’s BSVII Project a reality, a diverse funding strategy has been identified with varied revenue funding sources. Voters have approved multiple local and statewide measures, showing their support for bringing BSVII service into Santa Clara County.
The Project team provides transparent information regarding the Project’s funding and will continue to update cost estimates and funding strategies as the Project advances into construction. One of the primary objectives in delivering the BSVII Project is to provide the community and stakeholders access to transparent and up-to-date project information. With this information, all parties can make informed decisions, fostering greater confidence in the project’s progress.
Timelines
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VTA has a diverse funding strategy for the BSVII Project, with sources at the federal, state/regional, and local levels.
The BSVII Project is currently in the New Starts Project Development Phase of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts Program. The New Starts Program is part of FTA’s Capital Investment Grants Program. FTA’s New Starts program is the federal government’s primary discretionary financial resource that supports new locally planned commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, and bus rapid transit projects, streetcars, and ferries, as well as extensions to existing transit systems in every area of the country. VTA continues to coordinate with the FTA for New Starts Engineering as VTA prepares for the Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA).
In May 2018, VTA was awarded $238.4 million of a total award of $750 million from the State of California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). The additional $511.6 million will be distributed over the life of the project.
TIRCP was created by Senate Bill 862 and modified by Senate Bill 9 to provide grants from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to fund transformative capital improvements that will modernize California’s transit systems while curtailing emissions from greenhouse gases by reducing congestion and vehicle miles traveled throughout the state.
In June 2018, 55% of voters in the nine Bay Area counties approved Regional Measure 3. This measure added a $1 toll increase on seven state-owned bridges in January 2019, with additional $1 increases in 2022 and 2025. Regional Measure 3 will provide $375 million to the BSVII Project.
In June 2016, the VTA Board of Directors unanimously adopted the framework and funding amounts to place an additional half-cent 30-year sales tax measure on the November 8, 2016, ballot to help fund transportation priorities. An extensive 18-month public outreach process gathered input and suggestions on how to best improve Santa Clara County’s transportation needs. Through this process, a list of priorities and transportation projects was approved, including a plan to invest $1.5 billion into the BSVII Project. The 2016 Measure B, which required a two-thirds majority vote, was approved by voters with more than 71% of the vote in April 2017.
On November 4, 2008, a second Santa Clara County ballot measure supporting the BART extension passed, receiving 66.78% of the vote, exceeding the two-thirds super majority. The 30-year eighth-cent Measure B sales tax will generate dedicated revenue to fulfill VTA’s obligation to BART for the operation, maintenance, and future capital reserve of the BART extension that VTA constructs.
On August 9, 2000, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors voted to place a 30-year half-cent transit sales tax on the November 7, 2000, General Election ballot, giving Santa Clara County voters the opportunity to vote on transportation improvements in the county including construction of a BART extension from Alameda County to Santa Clara County.
- Early Works Construction – Spring 2024
- Single Bore Project Configuration Decision – Fall 2025
- At the October 17th VTA Board meeting , Directors voted in favor of advancing the project configuration with one large single bore as the most viable option, offering the best balance of constructability, feasibility, and lower overall risk. It avoids the high cost, complexity, and downtown disruption associated with the alternative concurrent tunneling approach of using two boring machines with a smaller single bore tunnel from the east in addition to the large single bore tunnel from the west.
- Amended & Restated Agreement Signed – Late 2026
- VTA and Kiewit Shea Traylor entered the A&R Agreement for Contract Package 2, which includes the tunnel scope, brings the project contract into one comprehensive document that reflects the project’s current status. It provides a clear contractual framework for the work ahead and reinforces the project’s continued momentum as construction advances. Importantly, the agreement locks in a target price while keeping this critical work moving in a challenging heavy construction market.
- Tunneling and Ongoing Construction – Late 2028
- VTA Board Approves Staff Recommendation for BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project – April 2018
In a unanimous vote Thursday evening, April 5, VTA Board members approved the staff recommendation for VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project. The Board approved a single-bore tunneling… Read more about the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project
- VTA awarded General Engineering Consultant contract to Mott MacDonald/PGH Wong – January 2019
- Tunnel Configuration Exploration – 2019
- Launch of Small Business Task Force – Fall 2019
- Progress Application for FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery Grant – 2020
- Contract Package 2 Tunnel & Trackwork Request for Qualifications Released – Winter 2020
BART Phase II Project First to Submit for Critical Federal Funding Program – January 2021
VTA achieved two critical milestones for the BART Phase II Project being the first transit agency in the nation to submit an application for $1.735 billion through the Federal Transit Administration’s… Read more about the BSVII Project funding milestone- Contract Package 1 Systems Request for Qualifications Released – Winter 2021
BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project Advances with Two Milestones – May 2021
The BART Silicon Valley Extension into Downtown San Jose and Santa Clara is moving forward with two critical milestones achieved this week. The Project has advanced to the final step in the… Read more about the BSVII Project milestones- Contract Package 2 Tunnel & Trackwork Request for Proposals Released – Summer 2021
The environmental process establishes the purpose and need for a project, examines the potential environmental impacts to the project corridor, and includes measures to mitigate those impacts.
On March 5, 2026, the VTA Board of Directors approved a CEQA Addendum to the Final SEIR, and it is available at the link below:
On June 28, 2024, the VTA Board of Directors approved a CEQA Addendum to the Final SEIR, and it is available at the link below:
On April 6, 2023, the VTA Board of Directors approved a CEQA Addendum to the Final SEIR, and it is available at the link below:
On December 1, 2022, the VTA Board of Directors approved a CEQA Addendum to the Final SEIR, and it is available at the link below:
FTA and VTA prepared a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) / Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) and Section 4(f) Evaluation (SEIS/SEIR) that was approved in 2018. The Draft and Final SEIS/SEIR addressed environmental effects of VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project (Project) and is available below.
The Draft SEIS/SEIR was released in December 2016, and the Final SEIS/SEIR was released on February 21, 2018 and published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2018.
Previous Environmental Documents
- VTA Adopted Major Investment Study – November 2001
External Reports and Documents
Project Management Oversight Reports
The FTA, along with their Project Management Oversight Consultant (PMOC), closely monitors the progress of a project. They conduct regular reviews and issue Project Monitoring Reports that summarize their observations and findings.
PMOC Project Monitoring Reports
AG Oversight Monitoring Reports
AG Oversight Monitoring Reports
Major Contracts
BSVII Major Contracts
Copies of current major BSVII professional Service contracts can be found below.
Professional Services Contracts
VTA Board and Committees
VTA organizes various boards and committees around specific topics that set VTA policy and/or provide oversight of VTA-related projects. Learn more about the VTA’s boards and committees here.
The VTA Board of Directors (BOD) sets Santa Clara County’s bus, rail and highway policy and consists of 12 voting members, six alternate Board members, and one ex-officio member. The VTA BOD meets on the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 pm.
Visit the VTA Board and Committees Portal to view past Board of Director meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings.
VTA Board of Directors Recent Meetings
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Oversight Committee provides oversight and guidance on the BSVII Project. This committee is responsible for reviewing project progress and budget, assessing key milestones, and providing guidance in mitigating the risks and issues that may arise during the Project’s life cycle. Members also assist in communicating and distributing project information.
Visit the VTA Board and Committees Portal to view past Oversight Committee meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings.
VTA BSVII Executive Monthly Progress Reports
The Joint VTA / BART Working Committee is an official forum for VTA and BART Board members to convene and discuss BSVII Project updates. This committee receives project updates, remarks from VTA and BART general managers, and discusses project updates.
Visit the VTA Board and Committees Portal to view past Joint VTA / BART Working Committee meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings.
VTA Organization Chart
Explore the BSVII Project’s management structure by hovering over each tab to see more information. Click here to view the Detailed Staff Organization Chart as of September 2026.
Explore the BSVII Project’s management structure by clicking on each tab to see more information.
Stakeholders
VTA
BART
Program Management Consultant
- Firm: BSV Delivery Partners (HNTB/WSP Joint Venture)
- Contract Award: June 2026
- Program, Engineering, and Contract Package Management
- Project Controls and Reporting
- Procurement Development and Contract Management
- Contract Award Information
General Engineering Consultant
- Firm: Mott MacDonald/PGH Wong Engineering Joint Venture
- Contract Award: January 2019
- Design Services
- Design Support during Construction
- Plans, Specifications
- Recent Contract Amendment
Construction Management
- Firm: Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation
- Contract Award: April 2024
- Oversight of construction contractors and all field activities
- Construction contract management including change orders and claims
- Inspection, Testing, and Acceptance
- Contract Award
Project History
The effort to bring BART into Santa Clara County has been decades in the making.
When the BART District was formed in the 1960’s, Santa Clara County opted out. Faced with growing congestion along the I-880 corridor, a Major Investment Study was conducted in 2001, which identified the need for transit alternatives and laid the groundwork to start the environmental process for the BART Silicon Valley Extension Program.
The original project would have extended service in one 16-mile extension from South Fremont to Santa Clara. The VTA Board committed to building the project in two phases in February 2009, with Phase I carrying passengers to Berryessa/North San José and BSVII serving downtown San José to Santa Clara.
Phase I broke ground in 2012 and opened for passenger service on June 13, 2020.
The BSVII Project has completed the environmental process and is currently in the design and engineering stage. The project recently celebrated its West Portal Groundbreaking event at the future Newhall Yard & Maintenance Facility site on June 14, 2024.
West Portal Groundbreaking Ceremony, June 14, 2024