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Federal Environmental Document on VTA’s Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor Available for Review
| Release Number: | nr03-09 |
| Release Date: | Mar 25, 2009 |
Public Meetings Scheduled in April
San Jose, Calif. – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has completed the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Corridor and is seeking public comment. VTA has scheduled three meetings in April to receive feedback from the public on the Draft EIS. This document complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Act establishes national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment. Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) to Silicon Valley is the proposed 16-mile extension of the existing 104-mile BART system that will connect to the future BART Warm Springs Station in Fremont.
The approval of the Draft EIS is a critical milestone for the BART to Silicon Valley project. This federal action is a step towards VTA securing federal funds. Last fall, the residents in Santa Clara County voted for Measure B authorizing a 1/8th cent sales tax for the operations and maintenance of the project; the sales tax is triggered only if federal funding is secured. VTA will construct the project and BART will operate it.
As part of the environmental clearance process for the entire project, the Draft EIS document evaluates and discloses the environmental effects of three alternatives for the proposed project: the “No Build” Project, the 16-mile, 6-station Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project, and the 10-mile, 2-station Berryessa Extension Project. Environmental topics covered are traffic, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, noise and vibration, and others. Mitigation measures to reduce or avoid adverse effects are also identified.
“VTA is moving ahead on the BART project with the review of the Draft EIS,” said Michael T. Burns, VTA General Manager. “We are fully committed to building the entire line, although the project may be built in phases.”
The public meetings will be held in the evenings to encourage attendance in the cities of San Jose, Milpitas, and Santa Clara. The public is invited to visit project exhibits and discuss with staff during the open house portion beginning at 6 p.m. A presentation on the Draft EIS will begin at 7 p.m. followed by an opportunity to enter formal comments into the public record. Comments and questions received will be addressed in the Final EIS document. The EIS public hearings are scheduled as follows:
Monday, April 6, 2009
San Jose City Hall
Committee Rooms W118-120
This location is served by VTA Bus Lines 11, 22, 23, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 72, 81, 180, 181, Highway 17 Express, and VTA Light Rail
Monday, April 13, 2009
Milpitas Unified School District Board Room
This location is served by VTA Bus Lines 46 and 47.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Santa Clara Senior Center Auditorium
This location is served by VTA Bus Lines 22, 32, 60 and 81.
In addition to comments received at the public meetings, written comments will be accepted through May 8, 2009 by e-mailing svrt.nepa@vta.org or fax 408-321-5787. The Draft EIS is available online at www.vta.org/bart, or you may request a CD by calling (408) 321-5789.
SVRTP Alternative
The Silicon Valley Rapid Transit Project (SVRTP) alternative would consist of a 16.1-mile extension of the BART system. Six stations are proposed: Milpitas, Berryessa, Alum Rock, Downtown San Jose, Diridon/Arena, and Santa Clara. The line would begin at the approved BART Warm Springs Station in Fremont and proceed on the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way through Milpitas to south of Mabury Road in San Jose. The extension would then descend into a 5.1 mile-long subway tunnel, continue through downtown San Jose, and end at grade in Santa Clara near the Caltrain Station. A maintenance and vehicle storage yard would be at the terminus of the project in Santa Clara. The first segment of the project is proposed to Berryessa, with subsequent phases to be built. Ridership is projected to be approximately 98,750 by 2030.
BEP Alternative
The Berryessa Extension Project (BEP) alternative would consist of a 9.9 mile extension of the BART system. The line would begin at the approved BART Warm Springs Station in Fremont and proceed on the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way through Milpitas to near Las Plumas Avenue in San Jose. Two stations are proposed for this alternative: Milpitas and Berryessa. Ridership is projected to be approximately 46,450 in 2030.
For more information about the public meetings or BART to Silicon Valley, please contact VTA Community Outreach at (408) 321-7575, (TTY only) (408) 321-2330, or visit www.vta.org. 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 to cities throughout the county including 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 ClaraCounty.
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