VTA receives FTA funding allocation for Silicon Valley extension

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams yesterday 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 in California. 

The $5.81 billion, 6.5-mile extension of BART’s heavy-rail system from San Jose to Santa Clara is the first project to receive a funding allocation under FTA’s Expedited Project Delivery pilot program, VTA officials said in a press release. 

The program allows agencies to fast-track the project funding process by more than 14 months, officials said.

To receive funding under the pilot program, VTA had to fund at least 75 percent of the project cost through local, state and other non-federal contributions, including a public-private partnership. 

2000 Measure A, 2016 Measure B and California’s Senate Bill 1 are providing funding for the project. In turn, FTA will expedite the review and evaluation of application materials under a streamlined review process as authorized by law.