The BART Extension to Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara
recently received a
“Not Recommended” rating from the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA). So, how does that rating impact the future of BART?
The BART Extension to Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara recently received a “Not Recommended” rating from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). So, how does that rating impact the future of BART?
FTA project evaluation is an on-going process that occurs annually. Projects rated “Not Recommended” do not currently meet FTA’s expectations for demonstrating local financial commitment and/or project justification. This rating does not necessarily mean that the project does not or will not ever have any merit nor does it indicate that it will or will not receive a recommended rating in the next evaluation process. It is a snapshot in time that reflects conditions as of November 2004.
Ratings are updated to reflect new information or project refinements such as costs, financial information, ridership, benefits, schedules and impacts. Based on new project information, ratings on projects are often changed.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) continues with preliminary engineering which is scheduled for completion in late 2006. In December 2004, VTA Board of Directors certified that the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) met the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and adopted the recommended project description approving the BART Extension Project.
The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be processed through 2006 with a record of decision from the FTA slated in early 2007. Final design is proposed for completion in 2008. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2008, with construction completed in 2015. This schedule is contingent on the resolution of funding issues.
The most significant financial hurdle is the availability of operating funds. VTA has been working with the VTA Board to address the forecasted shortage of operating funds for the continued operation of existing VTA services as well as the additional operating funds needed for Caltrain, BART, downtown East Valley, Bus Rapid Transit and other improvements included in Measure A.
In January 2005, the VTA Board decided not to pursue a phasing alternative for the construction of the project. As noted by the FTA in this rating, VTA is looking at alternatives to complete the entire project while federalizing only a segment. VTA anticipates submitting such an alternative for formal consideration by FTA in the next New Starts Funding submittal in August 2005.
Per FTA’s request, VTA is currently working to report reliable ridership estimates and will submit those estimates of ridership and travel time benefits to the FTA in June 2005. Although the project is currently rated “Not Recommended,” FTA recognizes the merits of this project and continues to work with VTA to resolve issues relative to operating financial commitment and cost effectiveness.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and, countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.
If you have any questions concerning VTA Bus or Light Rail service visit us on the web at www.vta.org or call (408) 321-2300, or TDD for the hearing-impaired (408) 321-2330.
Bernice Alaniz is deputy director of public affairs for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Readers interested in writing a guest column should contact editor Walt Glines at
ed******@mo*************.com
or 408-779-4106.
