On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) welcomed local media for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project.
The focus was the West Portal construction site—the future launch point for the tunnel boring machine that will help bring BART service into the heart of San José.
This event offered the first-ever opportunity to see one of California’s most important infrastructure projects up close. In June 2024, VTA broke ground on the West Portal facility located at the Newhall Yard & Maintenance Facility near the border of Santa Clara and San José. The West Portal is the tunnel’s west entrance and serves as the launching point for the massive tunnel boring machine (TBM) that will create the five-mile underground connection between Berryessa/North San José and the planned Little Portugal/28th Street, Diridon, Downtown San José, and Santa Clara BART stations.
“VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II will be the largest transportation project in the history of Santa Clara County and will generate tremendous economic and mobility benefits,” said Tom Maguire, VTA’s Chief Megaprojects Delivery Officer. “Construction is underway, and we are acting urgently to align our project with the available funding so we can maintain the momentum we have.”
During the site tour, Director of Construction Sarah Wilson provided insight into current progress and what lies ahead. After a safety briefing, visitors went on a guided tour of the active construction site that includes construction activities such as:
- Excavating and stabilizing the ground to build the TBM launch shaft
- Installing underground support walls and guide walls
- Assembling heavy construction equipment and cranes
- Monitoring noise, dust, and vibration to minimize neighborhood impact
To reduce noise from construction activities and help mitigate those impacts on the nearby residential communities, a noise curtain is being installed. The noise curtain also allows construction crews to advance the construction of the tunnel launch structure, which requires extended work hours: Monday through Saturday from 6 am to 4 am. That night work commenced on June 9th.
“This is more than a tour,” said Wilson. “It’s a glimpse into the early phase of a megaproject that will transform regional mobility, reduce congestion, and bring BART service closer to thousands of South Bay residents.”