Draft SEIS/SEIR released for final six miles of BART Silicon Valley extension

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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SCVTA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration have released a draft state and federal document addressing the final six miles of the SCVTA BART Silicon Valley extension's second phase.

SCVTA says the release of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) is a major milestone in the project development process for the extension of BART services into downtown San Jose and the city of Santa Clara.

The Draft SEIS/SEIR supplements the environmental analysis prepared in years past to address changes to the proposed project over time that were not evaluated in prior environmental documents. Phase 2 requires an approved SEIS/SEIR to become eligible for federal and state funding.

There are two alternatives evaluated in SEIS/SEIR in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): the No Build Alternative and the BART Extension Alternative. The BART Extension Alternative consists of a six-mile extension of the BART system from the Berryessa BART Station (currently under construction) through downtown San Jose to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. The alignment would include an approximate five-mile tunnel through downtown San Jose. Four stations are under consideration: Alum Rock/28th Street, Downtown San Jose, Diridon and Santa Clara.

Two options are currently under consideration for the location of the Downtown San Jose Station (East and West) and for Diridon Station (North and South). Two tunnel construction methodology options, the Twin-Bore Option (two 20-foot-diameter tunnels) and the Single-Bore Option (one 45-foot-diameter tunnel), are under consideration.

Depending upon funding availability, initial revenue service on the BART Extension is targeted to begin in late 2025/2026.

SCVTA will hold three public hearings, which will include an open house, formal presentation and comment period. The comment period on the document will end Feb. 20, 2017.

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