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New freeway direct connector and two off-ramps open on theRoute 85/U.S. 101 North Interchange Project

San Jose, Calif. – Two off-ramps and a dedicated freeway connector in Mountain View opened to commuters at 5 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3.  This highly anticipated milestone on the 1996 Measure B Improvement Project will reduce congestion at the Route 85/U.S. 101 North Interchange.

Ramps from left to right:   The direct-connector ramp, or new off ramp, from NB Route 85 to Shoreline Boulevard exit; the dedicated freeway connector for NB Route 85 to NB U.S. 101 traffic only; the HOV-to-HOV connector ramp still in construction in the freeway median

 The new off ramps and direct connector improve safety and freeway operations by eliminating competing traffic movements and improving merging operations. 

“I am so excited to see the VTA and its contractors reach this milestone on the largest highway project in the 1996 Measure B Program,” said Santa Clara Board Supervisor Liz Kniss.  “This is the type of improvement that County residents have dedicated time and hard earned tax dollars to.  Now it’s time to start enjoying the results.”

The direct-connector ramp, or new off ramp, from northbound Route 85 to the Shoreline Boulevard exit will open permanently after being closed last August so crews could finalize work for the Shoreline Boulevard off-ramp. This ramp provides direct access to Shoreline Boulevard while eliminating the merging movements of cars trying to access U.S. 101 from northbound Route 85. Those cars have a freeway direct-connector all to themselves, accessing northbound U.S. 101 from northbound Route 85 without having to take the long construction detour around the Old Middlefield Way exit.

Northbound U.S. 101 traffic wishing to exit Shoreline Boulevard also have a new off ramp to themselves without competing with other traffic merging onto the freeway.

Construction of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV, or carpool) direct-connector ramp in the freeway median will continue with entire project completion slated for late spring.

1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program

The 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program was made possible by Santa Clara County voters, who in 1996 approved a half-cent sales tax measure to fund a specific package of countywide transportation improvement projects. The sales tax is under the management of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and VTA has been responsible for project implementation. VTA has completed 17 of the 21 1996 Measure B rail and highway projects for which it is responsible.

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About VTA
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.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.