News Releases

Archived

League of California Cities Recognizes VTA Project

VTA Partnered with City of Cupertino to Help Fund the Award-Winning Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge

Release Number:	nr 09 10 07
Release Date:	Oct 21, 2009

San Jose, Calif. —The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) joins the City of Cupertino in celebrating the city’s receipt of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence. The recognition of the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge from the League of California Cities is in the category of public works, infrastructure and transportation.

VTA along with the cities of Cupertino and Sunnyvale formally opened the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge in April. The cable-stay bicycle pedestrian bridge is built over Interstate 280 between the two cities and connects the north and south sections of the Stevens Creek Trail; 2,000 pedestrians and bicyclists travel on it daily. In addition to serving as the link between Cupertino and Sunnyvale, the Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge is a direct connection for the students of Homestead High School and De Anza College. 

“This aesthetically pleasing footbridge was made possible through collaborations between the cities of Cupertino and Sunnyvale, community organizations, Caltrans and VTA,” said Cupertino Council Member and VTA Board Chair Dolly Sandoval. “It is due to the vision of cyclists and community leaders that we have this gem in our community.” 

While VTA is best known as Santa Clara County’s public transportation provider, it also serves as the area’s Congestion Management Agency. As such, it funds sustainable, accessible, and community focused transportation options, including bike and pedestrian improvements. The Mary Avenue Footbridge cost a total of $15 million dollars, with $5 million funded by Cupertino and Sunnyvale, and $10 million funded by VTA’s Bicycle Expenditure Program (BEP), a 25-year plan of bicycle improvements throughout Santa Clara County. 

The League of California Cities’ Helen Putnam Award is its 27^th year and recognizes cities across the state demonstrating beneficial innovations, resourceful efficiencies, improved public service and overall enhanced public trust and support. This latest Helen Putnam Award marks the fourth received by the City of Cupertino in six years.

 Go To Top

About VTA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special
district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality
of our region.  VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning and provides these services throughout the county including the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale.  VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County

###