A project milestone was reached on March 7, 2024, when VTA’s Board of Directors unanimously awarded the construction contract in the amount of $437,161,464 to MCM Railworks, Joint Venture, the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. The contractor expects to complete construction of the project a year earlier than originally anticipated. Activities anticipated to begin on or around mid-April.
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project (formerly Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project) extends light rail from the existing Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with an elevated guideway primarily in the center of Capitol Expressway. The Eastridge extension will include an elevated light rail station at Story Road and an at-grade station located at the Eastridge Transit Center. When this project is complete, VTA riders can board the light rail at the Eastridge Station and connect directly with BART at the Milpitas Station.
Background
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project has been delivered in phases. The first phase was delivered in two parts. In Phase 1A, VTA addressed pedestrian access and improved safety measures along the expressway between Quimby Road and Capitol Avenue. This was completed in Fall 2012 and included new sidewalks, street lighting, and a landscaping buffer. Phase 1B was the reconstruction of the Eastridge Transit Center. The improvements to the transit center included new shelters and amenities and support BRT. This was completed in 2015.
The light rail extension is Phase 2, and the final phase of the larger Capitol Expressway Transit Improvement Project that transforms the Capitol Expressway into a multi-modal expressway offering bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit, and safe connections to the regional transit system.
Project Status
The contractor is gathering their permits and plans. We anticipate they will begin preliminary activities along Capitol Expressway on or around mid April. For updated schedule and construction activities, please refer to the schedule located below, or contact Community Outreach.
Community Outreach
Outreach to the Community is delivered in many ways, from email, web page posting like this, signage, tabling at events, presenting at your neighborhood association, and by mail notifications, to name a few. We use multiple approaches to ensure the community is informed and allow for authentic engagement.
Community Meetings
Light rail construction is beginning and that means Capitol Expressway is changing! Join us and learn what to expect. It takes a significant amount of space to build light rail. Construction activities will increase traffic and drive time from permanent and temporary lane closures on Capitol Expressway. Construction activities are noisy. There will be large equipment that cause vibrations that will be felt by people that live or work along the corridor. If you live or work on or near Capitol Expressway, or drive on Capitol Expressway, we invite you to join us for a project update and to learn and prepare for upcoming construction activities.
Meeting notices for May 8, May 9, and May 11 will be posted April 15, 2024.
Station Art Enhancement
Did You Miss the Station Art Concept Meetings - August 31, AND September 13?
VTA has provided opportunities for community review of proposed light rail station art concepts. The designs the artists presented were inspired and influenced by community input shared in January’s Meet the Artists meetings and coupled with the artists’ research.
Eastridge Station
Our first meeting, held on August 31 revealed the design for Eastridge Station. Artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan presented Radiance, an abstract sculpture inspired by East San Jose’s community celebrations, agricultural history, natural environment, and quality of light.
Radiance is a metaphoric graft of aspects of the Eastridge Station’s surrounding community and nature in which its diverse cultures and landscapes come together to form a radiant whole. The sculpture forms a portal to be walked through. It is intended to be located so it will greet residents and visitors from many vantage points at the nexus of the future light rail station, bus terminals, Park & Ride, and pedestrian trails.
The sculpture changes in appearance as people move around and through it. When viewed from the front, its lower arbor pipes form a subtle heart shape. Viewed diagonally, they form a moon-like ellipse. Viewed from the side, the vertical arbor pipes with the matrix on top suggest a grove of trees. Standing beneath the sculpture will be like looking up into a tree canopy of fruit and flowers. Walking through the sculpture is intended to be a small moment of magic.
Story Road Station
Building on the momentum and spirit of weaving in community engagement and historical research, artist Amir Fallah presented his design concept for Story Road Station, Interwoven on September 13.
Interwoven was inspired by San José’s diverse patchwork of people, cultures, and landscapes. The concept transforms the three elevator towers, and pedestrian overcrossing, into a feature gateway over Capitol Expressway. Collaborating with the architects, the original metal panels design has been reimagined in a custom blueberry color palette, designed to visually connect the three towers. Standing proud of the tower cladding are sixteen glass light boxes of various sizes. The light boxes are strategically placed to be seen from every vantage point, including the roadway, sidewalks, stairs, lightrail platform, and from the train itself. The vibrant and colorful images, lit from within, will have an identity both day and night.
Interwoven features a complex array of images that portray the intersection of landscapes and cultures that is San José. The lightbox element of the artwork includes pictures and patterning from the cultures making up the tapestry of San José, including indigenous, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Persian. Throughout the artwork geometric designs refer to the larger theme of interconnectivity and community. A redwood tree refers to the nearby forests, a hand holding a mirror reflects a Mexican desert landscape, a detailed geometric motif commonly seen in East Asian artwork is placed alongside a traditional Mexican textile pattern. Driving south on Capitol Expressway a dreamed panoramic image, split in two, continues from the east elevator tower to the western tower.
Contributing an additional dimension to the work, Mr. Fallah will be commissioning four San José poets, several from east San José, to contribute lines of poetry that will be a central component of the artwork. They will be prompted to respond to themes of travel, journey, voyage, and wandering. From the submissions, Mr. Fallah will select text as part of the artwork.
Each of the recorded meetings and copy of the presentation are linked below for your review.
You have one more opportunity to see the artists presentations.
The City of San Jose Public Art Committee will receive similar presentations from the artists when they meet on October 3, 2023 at 5:30pm. Both stations will be reviewed. The San Jose Art Commission meetings are open to the public. Refer directly to the Public Art Committee website for meeting agenda and other information.
Download the Station Art Concept presentations:
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 8-31-23 – English
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 8-31-23 – Spanish
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 9-13-23-English
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 9-13-23-Spanish
Or watch the recorded meetings located on SCVTA YouTube:
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 8-31-23-English
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 8-31-23-Spanish
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 9-13-23-English
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 9-13-23-Spanish
Previously
Meet the Artists!
We have been very excited to introduce the community to the artists selected to enhance the new light rail stations planned for Story Road and Eastridge. Through a rigorous process of artist outreach and selection, Amir Fallah, and the team of Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, have been commissioned. These artists are all experienced public artists. Their work extends beyond their studios and responds to site and community. They also have track records for sizable, successfully maintainable, permanent public artworks.
The Station Art Enhancement Community Meetings held on January 9 and January 11 (facilitated in Spanish) were the “kick-off” for the artists’ design process, in advance of them doing any design work. The purpose of the meetings were for the community to become acquainted with the artists, and to get a sense of their visual vocabulary and their approach to public art. Each artists presented examples of previous public art installations, and their approach to the designs and mediums used. These meetings were also meant to provide foundational inspiration for the artists’ work, here, in San Jose.
Through an on-line activity, participants responded to four questions:
1. Which neighborhood are you connected to? What is important for us to know about it?
2. Think about a place that is special to you in San Jose. Describe the spot and why you chose it?
3. Please provide three words describing what is important to you personally, or which symbolize your community?
4. What is one of your favorite public artworks in San Jose (or anywhere)? Why?
The meetings provided an opportunity for the artists to learn about the community. It was not surprising that participants represented a wide variety of East San Jose neighborhoods! When asked about a place that is special in San Jose, we heard about the foothills, the greenery, the views, and about the Mexican Heritage Plaza, Alum Rock Park, Eastridge Mall, Marks Hotdogs, Emma Prusch Farm, and the list goes on.
Through the responses to the four questions, the artists gained a good sense of the community. The responses articulated the richness and diversity of East San Jose. It helped the artists get to know you.
In case you missed it, the meetings were recorded. Due to a technical glitch, the meeting on January 9 had to be re-recorded. Instead of watching the activity, we share how it went. The meeting on January 11 went off without any glitches and the recording, in Spanish, has the same artists presentation, and you can watch how the activity was facilitated. Links to the recorded meetings are available on YouTube:
EBRC Station Art Enhancement 1-9-2023
EBRC Majora artistica la estacion 1-11-2023
January 9, 2023 - presentation slides and script
January 11, 2023 - presentation slides and script (Spanish)
If you attended, or missed it, but had a thought to any of the questions asked that we should include, go ahead and send that to community.outreach@vta.org, and we will pass that along to the art team.
Later this spring, we will host the next meeting to update and share the concepts each of the artists’ have for the new stations!
Project Newsletters
EBRC-Spring 2024
This issue covers project updates to recent and current activities, funding, project schedules, community events happening later this spring, project benefits, and more.
EBRC-Summer 2022
In addition to project updates, this newsletter provides information on the project benefits and an introduction to the station art enhancement activities that begin this fall. Let's dive in!
EBRC-Summer 2021 & Notice of Utility Relocation
To say that 2020 and 2021 have been challenging is an understatement. Even though we at VTA have had to adjust to to the way we work, the planning work on Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project continued. Let's catch up!
Stakeholder Working Group
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been created. Each SWG member was nominated by the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board to represent the unique constituencies that live, work, and play along the project alignment. Their role is to disseminate information to the stakeholders near the project area and to give feedback to the project team. The members are listed below.
Stakeholder Working Group 2024 Meeting Dates
March 28, 6:30 pm Recording of this evening's meeting is provided below.
May 23, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87599079945?pwd=TjFtN0FXSU5EN2NVTmk3c0Fwakx1UT09
Passcode: 642058
Or One tap mobile: +1 669 219 2599
August 22, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85482913903?pwd=cnYvWnExR29xa3lzcFF6WnVpMnlFQT09
Passcode: 492414
Or One tap mobile: +1 669 900 9128
November 21, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85482913903?pwd=cnYvWnExR29xa3lzcFF6WnVpMnlFQT09
Passcode: 103093
Or One tap mobile:+16699009128
Stakeholder Working Group Presentations and Recordings of Meetings
In case you missed the SWG Committee meeting, you can select the following links for meeting presentations and video recordings that are direct links to the YouTube recordings.
03/28/2024 - EBRC-SWG meeting today shared news of the construction contract award. The SWG discussed near term community outreach and construction activities. To see/hear the recording, select March 28, EBRC-SWG Meeting.
08/24/2023 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided project updates and discussed upcoming station art enhancement meetings. In the project update, we shared elements of the contract that encourage small business enterprises to bid on the project, and project labor agreement requirements. To see/hear the recording, please select August 2023 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
03/25/2023 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided project updates to funding (fully funded!), schedule, current outreach activities, and update to current utility relocation activities. To see/hear the recording, please select May 2023 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
08/25/2022 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided a review of the previous two years of topical review, community outreach update, current project updates, including utility relocation activities. To see the recording, please select August 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
2/24/2022 - EBRC-SWG Meeting today provided project updates, including current utility relocation activities. The discussion about noise and vibration, that was introduced last quarter, continued with a focus on vibration monitoring and the process for monitor and property inspections. To see the recording, please select February 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
11/18/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting provides an update active utility relocation, Community Outreach report, and further discussion on how the project team will be monitoring and mitigating vibration impacts from future construction activities.
November 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/26/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes Station Art Enhancement Program presentation, and introduction to construction noise and vibration assessment and mitigation.
August 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
6/24/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on utility relocation.
June 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
2/25/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on bridge construction, and traffic.
February 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
11/19/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes presentations on the future technology (light rail) and the history leading to the elimination of a station at Ocala in 2014.
November 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/27/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting Orientation and project description.
August 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
Reference Materials
PG&E Greenbook: Provides information about trees clearance under and around transmission lines.
SWG Members
Laura Arechiga, Welch Park Neighborhood Association, District 8
Ernesto Barajas, Cassel Neighborhood Association, District 5
Huascar Castro, Working Partnerships
Craig Ferguson, Thompson Creek Neighborhood Association, District 8
Sandy Flores, Capitol Park Goss Dobern Neighborhood Association, District 5
Julies Nunes, Lyndale Neighborhood Association, District 5
John Peterson, Eastridge Mall
Environmental Documents
VTA has prepared the 2021 Third Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project.
The Third Addendum evaluates the removal of an additional 60 – 70 trees along the east side of Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road. The removal of additional trees is a result of new information, received from PG&E, that trees above a certain height under high voltage electric lines are required to be cleared for public safety reasons and to provide access to the lines for maintenance and repairs.
All trees removed by the Project will be replaced at ratios determined by their size and replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native). In the Second Addendum to the Final SEIR-2 approved in February 2020, the VTA Board approved the payment of in-lieu fees to replace trees within two miles of the project corridor to the maximum extent practicable given the limited right-of-way available for tree replacement within the project limits. According to a tree inventory conducted by a certified arborist, the Project will be required to provide an additional 67 – 128 replacement trees depending on the replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native).
On February 18, 2021, the Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee (CMPP) will make a recommendation to VTA's Board of Directors regarding the adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
On March 4, 2021, VTA's Board of Directors will consider adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
If you have any written comments on the adoption of the Third Addendum and the approval of the change to the Project, it is requested that you submit them as soon as possible but no later than 12:00 pm on February 17, 2021, for the CMPP meeting, and no later than 12:00 pm on March 4, 2021, for the Board meeting.
Verbal comments may also be provided at both meetings via Zoom. The agenda and zoom link are available: Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee Page
Written comments can be submitted via the following methods:
Mail: Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Environmental Programs 3331 North First Street, Building B-2 San José, CA 95134-1927
Email: Christina.Jaworski@vta.org
If you have any questions about the Third Addendum, contact Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner, at Christina.Jaworski@vta.org.
Previous Environmental Documents
Addendum to Environmental Documents
2019 Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2018 Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2014 Final Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration
2012 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2012 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2009-2011 Misc. Environmental Document
2010 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Categorical Exclusion)
Utility Construction Notices
Utility and project construction notices will be posted here, as well as under 'Notices' on the right margin. Check here for a quick search for a notice, and the area it pertains to. The latest notices will be on top. Often there is work on the corridor that isn't related to this project, and we can try to help identify if it is not project-related. Utility owners will also provide notices to residents and businesses located within 300' of the work area. Any potential interruptions in service will be noticed by the respective utility owner.
1/13/2024 - 1/14/2024: Overnight construction activities for utility relocation. Crown Castle will work to activate new fiber lines along Capital Expressway, S. Capitol Avenue, and Highwood Drive.
12/12/2023 - 12/29/2023: Ongoing night & day construction activities for utility relocation. Comcast contractor Fibertel will work to activate new fiber lines along E. Capitol Expressway, Story Road, S. Capitol Avenue, and Westboro Drive.
11/16/2023 & 11/30/2023: Utility relocations work along E. Capitol Expy and S. Capitol Ave: Fiber Company Crown Castle will be working overnight to early morning to install a new fiber line and remove the traffic pole at the intersection of E. Capitol Expy and S. Capitol Ave.
2/16/2023: Utility relocations work along S. Capitol Avenue at Crossroads Shopping Center: PG&E and its contractor, (Underground Construction), AT&T, and Comcast will continue the next phase of utility relocations along S. Capitol Avenue, and the landscaped area of the Crossroads Shopping Center located at 459 and 461 S. Capitol Avenue. Workers will be performing construction to install underground utilities.
10/12/2022: Ongoing Construction Activities for Utility Relocation: PG&E, and their contractor, Underground Construction, will begin the next phase of underground utility relocation of gas and electric services. Additional utility owners that share the same areas, AT&T, Comcast, and Crown Castle will coordinate their activities in the same area. Most of the work is occurring on Capitol Expressway and Capitol Avenue. This phase will continue through mid-2023.
7/25/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Weather and conditions pending, restoration/paving activities could occur through the end of August. Restoration includes paving in multiple areas, including S. Capitol Avenue near the Crossroads Shopping Center, and Highwood Drive. Restoration/Paving will also occur along S. Capitol Avenue @ Bambi Lane, Capitol Expressway @ Kollmar Dr., and Story Road. For additional details, please select San Jose Water Utility Relocation Update.
7/1/2022: West Valley Construction continues to work to connect the new water service to the new fire suppression equipment at Crossroads Shopping Center located at 459 S. Capitol Avenue. San Jose Water Company and its contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will also continue work on the underground water line along Capitol Avenue and relocate the fire hydrant on the sidewalk. The existing sidewalk and roadway next to the Crossroads Shopping Center will be restored after the water line work is completed in the area. Download a PDF copy of the notice.
6/21/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Capitol Avenue/ Crossroads Shopping Center - Weather and conditions permitting, San Jose Water Company, and their contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will continue relocating and installing new underground water lines along Capitol Avenue, next to the Crossroads Shopping Center located at 461 S. Capitol Avenue. Additional work to relocate a fire hydrant and fire suppression equipment will occur on the property in the sidewalk and landscape areas. For complete details, select SJW @ Crossroads June 2022.
6/1/22: PG&E Gas Line Relocation - Weather and conditions pending, PG&E will replace/relocate sections of their natural gas pipeline located on Capitol Avenue between Bambi Lane and Capitol Avenue. The actual timeline of the relocation is about 2 weeks. Preliminary activities could delay the start. It will be complete by the end of summer. PG&E crews are coordinating activities directly with private property owners. Download a PDF copy of the notice.
2/11/22: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will continue the relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting. Their activities are expected to last through March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on the Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive. Beginning 2/14/22, there will be overnight activities at Capitol Expressway at the Story Road intersection.
2/1/2022: (Revised 3/1/2022) MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - Weather and conditions permitting, this activity takes place on the north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Tully Road, and north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Swift Lane. MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the business's week of 1/31. They have additional work along the expressway at Cunningham and VTA will share the notification when it is received, expected for later this month. Crews will begin working in the Capitol Expressway/Tully Road Intersection on March 7. Notices to nearby businesses were provided by Solcom.
11/8/2021: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will begin relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting, on November 15. Their activities are expected to last through mid-March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on the Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive.
10/5/2021: MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - This is a 2-day activity to clear fiber optic cables out from the area where PG&E is relocating the transmission poles. This activity takes place on the east side of Capitol Expressway, on the sidewalk, between Tully and Quimby Road (in front of the In & Out Burger area). MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the business's week of 9/27. They have additional work along the expressway and VTA will share the notification when it is received.
This activity is complete.
9/20/2021: PG&E Transmission Lines and Poles Relocation begins. PG&E notified customers the week of 9/13. This is to clear the old trellis towers in the center of the Capitol Expressway with new poles to the east side of the Capitol Expressway, clearing space for the future light rail expansion.
This activity was completed in December 2021.
8/27/2021: Utility Relocation Overview Description- noted in the Summer 2021 Newsletter, these slides show where the utility companies will be working along Capitol Avenue, Capitol Expressway @ Story Rd, @ Tully Road, and PG&E Transmission lines and pole relocation on Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road.
7/27/2021: Advance Construction - Building Removal, S. Capitol Expressway @ Story Road - Begins on or about August 3, 2021. Summary: VTA will remove (demolish) the building located at 1093 S. Capitol Expressway. It is private property that VTA owns/acquired for the project. Activities are expected to take 4 days. The property will be cleaned and fencing removed on the last day. Community Outreach staff delivered notices to nearby businesses and residents adjacent to the property on 7/27/21. There are no business, traffic, or pedestrian impacts. There will be noise impacts from construction equipment.
5/10/2021: Utility Notice - Gas Line Distribution, S. Capitol Avenue - Begins on or about May 24, 2021. PG&E will mail notices (attached above), and call residents and businesses that are located within 300 feet of the areas they are working in to provide details that could impact their service.
Summary: PG&E is replacing sections of their natural gas pipeline on South Capitol Avenue from Lombard Avenue to East Capitol Expressway at Babb Creek in San Jose. Intermittent lane closures and no parking signs in the work areas will be posted. Please plan for minor delays when driving through the project area.
2/2/2021: Advance Construction Work - Crossroads Shopping Center Notice, expected to begin on or about February 8, 2021.
Summary: Activities are on private property with some intermittent sidewalks and traffic lane impact during tree removal. This notice was mailed on 1/29/2021 to and including the area 1/4 mile of 461 S. Capitol Ave., emailed to project stakeholders, and to the immediate Nextdoor neighborhoods. Community outreach staff delivered notices door-door to businesses on 2/1/2021. There are no business access impacts.
Videos
Project Videos
3-18-2024
VTA is excited to begin construction of the light rail extension in E. San Jose. Watch this video Eastridge to BART Project Benefits to learn of the benefits this project brings to the community, and VTA's transit service!
Curious to see how Capitol Expressway will look with light rail when the project is complete? Check out this video via VTA's Youtube: Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Video.
Contractors Information
Interested in this contracting opportunity? Please visit Doing Business with VTA. On this page you will see all open and upcoming contracting opportunities, learn how to register for contract notifications, and become certified with VTA's Business Diversity Program.
A project milestone was reached on March 7, 2024, when VTA’s Board of Directors unanimously awarded the construction contract in the amount of $437,161,464 to MCM Railworks, Joint Venture, the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. The contractor expects to complete construction of the project a year earlier than originally anticipated. Activities anticipated to begin on or around mid-April.
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project (formerly Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project) extends light rail from the existing Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with an elevated guideway primarily in the center of Capitol Expressway. The Eastridge extension will include an elevated light rail station at Story Road and an at-grade station located at the Eastridge Transit Center. When this project is complete, VTA riders can board the light rail at the Eastridge Station and connect directly with BART at the Milpitas Station.
Background
The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project has been delivered in phases. The first phase was delivered in two parts. In Phase 1A, VTA addressed pedestrian access and improved safety measures along the expressway between Quimby Road and Capitol Avenue. This was completed in Fall 2012 and included new sidewalks, street lighting, and a landscaping buffer. Phase 1B was the reconstruction of the Eastridge Transit Center. The improvements to the transit center included new shelters and amenities and support BRT. This was completed in 2015.
The light rail extension is Phase 2, and the final phase of the larger Capitol Expressway Transit Improvement Project that transforms the Capitol Expressway into a multi-modal expressway offering bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit, and safe connections to the regional transit system.
Project Status
The contractor is gathering their permits and plans. We anticipate they will begin preliminary activities along Capitol Expressway on or around mid April. For updated schedule and construction activities, please refer to the schedule located below, or contact Community Outreach.
Community Outreach
Outreach to the Community is delivered in many ways, from email, web page posting like this, signage, tabling at events, presenting at your neighborhood association, and by mail notifications, to name a few. We use multiple approaches to ensure the community is informed and allow for authentic engagement.
Community Meetings
Light rail construction is beginning and that means Capitol Expressway is changing! Join us and learn what to expect. It takes a significant amount of space to build light rail. Construction activities will increase traffic and drive time from permanent and temporary lane closures on Capitol Expressway. Construction activities are noisy. There will be large equipment that cause vibrations that will be felt by people that live or work along the corridor. If you live or work on or near Capitol Expressway, or drive on Capitol Expressway, we invite you to join us for a project update and to learn and prepare for upcoming construction activities.
Meeting notices for May 8, May 9, and May 11 will be posted April 15, 2024.
Station Art Enhancement
Did You Miss the Station Art Concept Meetings - August 31, AND September 13?
VTA has provided opportunities for community review of proposed light rail station art concepts. The designs the artists presented were inspired and influenced by community input shared in January’s Meet the Artists meetings and coupled with the artists’ research.
Eastridge Station
Our first meeting, held on August 31 revealed the design for Eastridge Station. Artists Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan presented Radiance, an abstract sculpture inspired by East San Jose’s community celebrations, agricultural history, natural environment, and quality of light.
Radiance is a metaphoric graft of aspects of the Eastridge Station’s surrounding community and nature in which its diverse cultures and landscapes come together to form a radiant whole. The sculpture forms a portal to be walked through. It is intended to be located so it will greet residents and visitors from many vantage points at the nexus of the future light rail station, bus terminals, Park & Ride, and pedestrian trails.
The sculpture changes in appearance as people move around and through it. When viewed from the front, its lower arbor pipes form a subtle heart shape. Viewed diagonally, they form a moon-like ellipse. Viewed from the side, the vertical arbor pipes with the matrix on top suggest a grove of trees. Standing beneath the sculpture will be like looking up into a tree canopy of fruit and flowers. Walking through the sculpture is intended to be a small moment of magic.
Story Road Station
Building on the momentum and spirit of weaving in community engagement and historical research, artist Amir Fallah presented his design concept for Story Road Station, Interwoven on September 13.
Interwoven was inspired by San José’s diverse patchwork of people, cultures, and landscapes. The concept transforms the three elevator towers, and pedestrian overcrossing, into a feature gateway over Capitol Expressway. Collaborating with the architects, the original metal panels design has been reimagined in a custom blueberry color palette, designed to visually connect the three towers. Standing proud of the tower cladding are sixteen glass light boxes of various sizes. The light boxes are strategically placed to be seen from every vantage point, including the roadway, sidewalks, stairs, lightrail platform, and from the train itself. The vibrant and colorful images, lit from within, will have an identity both day and night.
Interwoven features a complex array of images that portray the intersection of landscapes and cultures that is San José. The lightbox element of the artwork includes pictures and patterning from the cultures making up the tapestry of San José, including indigenous, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Persian. Throughout the artwork geometric designs refer to the larger theme of interconnectivity and community. A redwood tree refers to the nearby forests, a hand holding a mirror reflects a Mexican desert landscape, a detailed geometric motif commonly seen in East Asian artwork is placed alongside a traditional Mexican textile pattern. Driving south on Capitol Expressway a dreamed panoramic image, split in two, continues from the east elevator tower to the western tower.
Contributing an additional dimension to the work, Mr. Fallah will be commissioning four San José poets, several from east San José, to contribute lines of poetry that will be a central component of the artwork. They will be prompted to respond to themes of travel, journey, voyage, and wandering. From the submissions, Mr. Fallah will select text as part of the artwork.
Each of the recorded meetings and copy of the presentation are linked below for your review.
You have one more opportunity to see the artists presentations.
The City of San Jose Public Art Committee will receive similar presentations from the artists when they meet on October 3, 2023 at 5:30pm. Both stations will be reviewed. The San Jose Art Commission meetings are open to the public. Refer directly to the Public Art Committee website for meeting agenda and other information.
Download the Station Art Concept presentations:
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 8-31-23 – English
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 8-31-23 – Spanish
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 9-13-23-English
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Presentation 9-13-23-Spanish
Or watch the recorded meetings located on SCVTA YouTube:
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 8-31-23-English
Eastridge Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 8-31-23-Spanish
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 9-13-23-English
Story Road Station Art Enhancement Community Meeting Recording 9-13-23-Spanish
Previously
Meet the Artists!
We have been very excited to introduce the community to the artists selected to enhance the new light rail stations planned for Story Road and Eastridge. Through a rigorous process of artist outreach and selection, Amir Fallah, and the team of Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, have been commissioned. These artists are all experienced public artists. Their work extends beyond their studios and responds to site and community. They also have track records for sizable, successfully maintainable, permanent public artworks.
The Station Art Enhancement Community Meetings held on January 9 and January 11 (facilitated in Spanish) were the “kick-off” for the artists’ design process, in advance of them doing any design work. The purpose of the meetings were for the community to become acquainted with the artists, and to get a sense of their visual vocabulary and their approach to public art. Each artists presented examples of previous public art installations, and their approach to the designs and mediums used. These meetings were also meant to provide foundational inspiration for the artists’ work, here, in San Jose.
Through an on-line activity, participants responded to four questions:
1. Which neighborhood are you connected to? What is important for us to know about it?
2. Think about a place that is special to you in San Jose. Describe the spot and why you chose it?
3. Please provide three words describing what is important to you personally, or which symbolize your community?
4. What is one of your favorite public artworks in San Jose (or anywhere)? Why?
The meetings provided an opportunity for the artists to learn about the community. It was not surprising that participants represented a wide variety of East San Jose neighborhoods! When asked about a place that is special in San Jose, we heard about the foothills, the greenery, the views, and about the Mexican Heritage Plaza, Alum Rock Park, Eastridge Mall, Marks Hotdogs, Emma Prusch Farm, and the list goes on.
Through the responses to the four questions, the artists gained a good sense of the community. The responses articulated the richness and diversity of East San Jose. It helped the artists get to know you.
In case you missed it, the meetings were recorded. Due to a technical glitch, the meeting on January 9 had to be re-recorded. Instead of watching the activity, we share how it went. The meeting on January 11 went off without any glitches and the recording, in Spanish, has the same artists presentation, and you can watch how the activity was facilitated. Links to the recorded meetings are available on YouTube:
EBRC Station Art Enhancement 1-9-2023
EBRC Majora artistica la estacion 1-11-2023
January 9, 2023 - presentation slides and script
January 11, 2023 - presentation slides and script (Spanish)
If you attended, or missed it, but had a thought to any of the questions asked that we should include, go ahead and send that to community.outreach@vta.org, and we will pass that along to the art team.
Later this spring, we will host the next meeting to update and share the concepts each of the artists’ have for the new stations!
Project Newsletters
EBRC-Spring 2024
This issue covers project updates to recent and current activities, funding, project schedules, community events happening later this spring, project benefits, and more.
EBRC-Summer 2022
In addition to project updates, this newsletter provides information on the project benefits and an introduction to the station art enhancement activities that begin this fall. Let's dive in!
EBRC-Summer 2021 & Notice of Utility Relocation
To say that 2020 and 2021 have been challenging is an understatement. Even though we at VTA have had to adjust to to the way we work, the planning work on Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project continued. Let's catch up!
Stakeholder Working Group
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been created. Each SWG member was nominated by the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board to represent the unique constituencies that live, work, and play along the project alignment. Their role is to disseminate information to the stakeholders near the project area and to give feedback to the project team. The members are listed below.
Stakeholder Working Group 2024 Meeting Dates
March 28, 6:30 pm Recording of this evening's meeting is provided below.
May 23, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87599079945?pwd=TjFtN0FXSU5EN2NVTmk3c0Fwakx1UT09
Passcode: 642058
Or One tap mobile: +1 669 219 2599
August 22, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85482913903?pwd=cnYvWnExR29xa3lzcFF6WnVpMnlFQT09
Passcode: 492414
Or One tap mobile: +1 669 900 9128
November 21, 6:30 pm - Please click the link below to join the webinar:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85482913903?pwd=cnYvWnExR29xa3lzcFF6WnVpMnlFQT09
Passcode: 103093
Or One tap mobile:+16699009128
Stakeholder Working Group Presentations and Recordings of Meetings
In case you missed the SWG Committee meeting, you can select the following links for meeting presentations and video recordings that are direct links to the YouTube recordings.
03/28/2024 - EBRC-SWG meeting today shared news of the construction contract award. The SWG discussed near term community outreach and construction activities. To see/hear the recording, select March 28, EBRC-SWG Meeting.
08/24/2023 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided project updates and discussed upcoming station art enhancement meetings. In the project update, we shared elements of the contract that encourage small business enterprises to bid on the project, and project labor agreement requirements. To see/hear the recording, please select August 2023 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
03/25/2023 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided project updates to funding (fully funded!), schedule, current outreach activities, and update to current utility relocation activities. To see/hear the recording, please select May 2023 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
08/25/2022 - EBRC-SWG meeting today provided a review of the previous two years of topical review, community outreach update, current project updates, including utility relocation activities. To see the recording, please select August 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
2/24/2022 - EBRC-SWG Meeting today provided project updates, including current utility relocation activities. The discussion about noise and vibration, that was introduced last quarter, continued with a focus on vibration monitoring and the process for monitor and property inspections. To see the recording, please select February 2022 EBRC-SWG Meeting.
11/18/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting provides an update active utility relocation, Community Outreach report, and further discussion on how the project team will be monitoring and mitigating vibration impacts from future construction activities.
November 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/26/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes Station Art Enhancement Program presentation, and introduction to construction noise and vibration assessment and mitigation.
August 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
6/24/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on utility relocation.
June 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
2/25/2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes detailed presentation on bridge construction, and traffic.
February 2021 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
11/19/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting includes presentations on the future technology (light rail) and the history leading to the elimination of a station at Ocala in 2014.
November 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
8/27/2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting Orientation and project description.
August 2020 EBRC-SWG Meeting SCVTA/YouTube
Reference Materials
PG&E Greenbook: Provides information about trees clearance under and around transmission lines.
SWG Members
Laura Arechiga, Welch Park Neighborhood Association, District 8
Ernesto Barajas, Cassel Neighborhood Association, District 5
Huascar Castro, Working Partnerships
Craig Ferguson, Thompson Creek Neighborhood Association, District 8
Sandy Flores, Capitol Park Goss Dobern Neighborhood Association, District 5
Julies Nunes, Lyndale Neighborhood Association, District 5
John Peterson, Eastridge Mall
Environmental Documents
VTA has prepared the 2021 Third Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project.
The Third Addendum evaluates the removal of an additional 60 – 70 trees along the east side of Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road. The removal of additional trees is a result of new information, received from PG&E, that trees above a certain height under high voltage electric lines are required to be cleared for public safety reasons and to provide access to the lines for maintenance and repairs.
All trees removed by the Project will be replaced at ratios determined by their size and replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native). In the Second Addendum to the Final SEIR-2 approved in February 2020, the VTA Board approved the payment of in-lieu fees to replace trees within two miles of the project corridor to the maximum extent practicable given the limited right-of-way available for tree replacement within the project limits. According to a tree inventory conducted by a certified arborist, the Project will be required to provide an additional 67 – 128 replacement trees depending on the replacement species (i.e., native versus non-native).
On February 18, 2021, the Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee (CMPP) will make a recommendation to VTA's Board of Directors regarding the adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
On March 4, 2021, VTA's Board of Directors will consider adoption of the Third Addendum and approval of the proposed change to the Project.
If you have any written comments on the adoption of the Third Addendum and the approval of the change to the Project, it is requested that you submit them as soon as possible but no later than 12:00 pm on February 17, 2021, for the CMPP meeting, and no later than 12:00 pm on March 4, 2021, for the Board meeting.
Verbal comments may also be provided at both meetings via Zoom. The agenda and zoom link are available: Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee Page
Written comments can be submitted via the following methods:
Mail: Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Environmental Programs 3331 North First Street, Building B-2 San José, CA 95134-1927
Email: Christina.Jaworski@vta.org
If you have any questions about the Third Addendum, contact Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner, at Christina.Jaworski@vta.org.
Previous Environmental Documents
Addendum to Environmental Documents
2019 Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2018 Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2014 Final Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration
2012 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2012 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
2009-2011 Misc. Environmental Document
2010 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Categorical Exclusion)
Utility Construction Notices
Utility and project construction notices will be posted here, as well as under 'Notices' on the right margin. Check here for a quick search for a notice, and the area it pertains to. The latest notices will be on top. Often there is work on the corridor that isn't related to this project, and we can try to help identify if it is not project-related. Utility owners will also provide notices to residents and businesses located within 300' of the work area. Any potential interruptions in service will be noticed by the respective utility owner.
1/13/2024 - 1/14/2024: Overnight construction activities for utility relocation. Crown Castle will work to activate new fiber lines along Capital Expressway, S. Capitol Avenue, and Highwood Drive.
12/12/2023 - 12/29/2023: Ongoing night & day construction activities for utility relocation. Comcast contractor Fibertel will work to activate new fiber lines along E. Capitol Expressway, Story Road, S. Capitol Avenue, and Westboro Drive.
11/16/2023 & 11/30/2023: Utility relocations work along E. Capitol Expy and S. Capitol Ave: Fiber Company Crown Castle will be working overnight to early morning to install a new fiber line and remove the traffic pole at the intersection of E. Capitol Expy and S. Capitol Ave.
2/16/2023: Utility relocations work along S. Capitol Avenue at Crossroads Shopping Center: PG&E and its contractor, (Underground Construction), AT&T, and Comcast will continue the next phase of utility relocations along S. Capitol Avenue, and the landscaped area of the Crossroads Shopping Center located at 459 and 461 S. Capitol Avenue. Workers will be performing construction to install underground utilities.
10/12/2022: Ongoing Construction Activities for Utility Relocation: PG&E, and their contractor, Underground Construction, will begin the next phase of underground utility relocation of gas and electric services. Additional utility owners that share the same areas, AT&T, Comcast, and Crown Castle will coordinate their activities in the same area. Most of the work is occurring on Capitol Expressway and Capitol Avenue. This phase will continue through mid-2023.
7/25/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Weather and conditions pending, restoration/paving activities could occur through the end of August. Restoration includes paving in multiple areas, including S. Capitol Avenue near the Crossroads Shopping Center, and Highwood Drive. Restoration/Paving will also occur along S. Capitol Avenue @ Bambi Lane, Capitol Expressway @ Kollmar Dr., and Story Road. For additional details, please select San Jose Water Utility Relocation Update.
7/1/2022: West Valley Construction continues to work to connect the new water service to the new fire suppression equipment at Crossroads Shopping Center located at 459 S. Capitol Avenue. San Jose Water Company and its contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will also continue work on the underground water line along Capitol Avenue and relocate the fire hydrant on the sidewalk. The existing sidewalk and roadway next to the Crossroads Shopping Center will be restored after the water line work is completed in the area. Download a PDF copy of the notice.
6/21/2022: San Jose Water Utility Relocation: Capitol Avenue/ Crossroads Shopping Center - Weather and conditions permitting, San Jose Water Company, and their contractor, Pacific Underground Construction (PUC), will continue relocating and installing new underground water lines along Capitol Avenue, next to the Crossroads Shopping Center located at 461 S. Capitol Avenue. Additional work to relocate a fire hydrant and fire suppression equipment will occur on the property in the sidewalk and landscape areas. For complete details, select SJW @ Crossroads June 2022.
6/1/22: PG&E Gas Line Relocation - Weather and conditions pending, PG&E will replace/relocate sections of their natural gas pipeline located on Capitol Avenue between Bambi Lane and Capitol Avenue. The actual timeline of the relocation is about 2 weeks. Preliminary activities could delay the start. It will be complete by the end of summer. PG&E crews are coordinating activities directly with private property owners. Download a PDF copy of the notice.
2/11/22: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will continue the relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting. Their activities are expected to last through March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on the Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive. Beginning 2/14/22, there will be overnight activities at Capitol Expressway at the Story Road intersection.
2/1/2022: (Revised 3/1/2022) MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - Weather and conditions permitting, this activity takes place on the north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Tully Road, and north and southwest corners of Capitol Expressway at Swift Lane. MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the business's week of 1/31. They have additional work along the expressway at Cunningham and VTA will share the notification when it is received, expected for later this month. Crews will begin working in the Capitol Expressway/Tully Road Intersection on March 7. Notices to nearby businesses were provided by Solcom.
11/8/2021: San Jose Water Utility Relocation - San Jose Water's contractor, Pacific Underground Construction, will begin relocation of underground facilities, weather and conditions permitting, on November 15. Their activities are expected to last through mid-March. San Jose Water will directly notify their customers if there are impacts to water service. Activities will occur on the Capitol Expressway between Wilbur Avenue and Tudor Court. Addition work will occur on Capitol Expressway at Highwood Drive, Bambi Lane, and Kollmer Drive.
10/5/2021: MCI/Verizon Underground Relocation - This is a 2-day activity to clear fiber optic cables out from the area where PG&E is relocating the transmission poles. This activity takes place on the east side of Capitol Expressway, on the sidewalk, between Tully and Quimby Road (in front of the In & Out Burger area). MCI/Verizon's contractor noticed the business's week of 9/27. They have additional work along the expressway and VTA will share the notification when it is received.
This activity is complete.
9/20/2021: PG&E Transmission Lines and Poles Relocation begins. PG&E notified customers the week of 9/13. This is to clear the old trellis towers in the center of the Capitol Expressway with new poles to the east side of the Capitol Expressway, clearing space for the future light rail expansion.
This activity was completed in December 2021.
8/27/2021: Utility Relocation Overview Description- noted in the Summer 2021 Newsletter, these slides show where the utility companies will be working along Capitol Avenue, Capitol Expressway @ Story Rd, @ Tully Road, and PG&E Transmission lines and pole relocation on Capitol Expressway between Ocala Avenue and Quimby Road.
7/27/2021: Advance Construction - Building Removal, S. Capitol Expressway @ Story Road - Begins on or about August 3, 2021. Summary: VTA will remove (demolish) the building located at 1093 S. Capitol Expressway. It is private property that VTA owns/acquired for the project. Activities are expected to take 4 days. The property will be cleaned and fencing removed on the last day. Community Outreach staff delivered notices to nearby businesses and residents adjacent to the property on 7/27/21. There are no business, traffic, or pedestrian impacts. There will be noise impacts from construction equipment.
5/10/2021: Utility Notice - Gas Line Distribution, S. Capitol Avenue - Begins on or about May 24, 2021. PG&E will mail notices (attached above), and call residents and businesses that are located within 300 feet of the areas they are working in to provide details that could impact their service.
Summary: PG&E is replacing sections of their natural gas pipeline on South Capitol Avenue from Lombard Avenue to East Capitol Expressway at Babb Creek in San Jose. Intermittent lane closures and no parking signs in the work areas will be posted. Please plan for minor delays when driving through the project area.
2/2/2021: Advance Construction Work - Crossroads Shopping Center Notice, expected to begin on or about February 8, 2021.
Summary: Activities are on private property with some intermittent sidewalks and traffic lane impact during tree removal. This notice was mailed on 1/29/2021 to and including the area 1/4 mile of 461 S. Capitol Ave., emailed to project stakeholders, and to the immediate Nextdoor neighborhoods. Community outreach staff delivered notices door-door to businesses on 2/1/2021. There are no business access impacts.
Videos
Project Videos
3-18-2024
VTA is excited to begin construction of the light rail extension in E. San Jose. Watch this video Eastridge to BART Project Benefits to learn of the benefits this project brings to the community, and VTA's transit service!
Curious to see how Capitol Expressway will look with light rail when the project is complete? Check out this video via VTA's Youtube: Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Video.
Contractors Information
Interested in this contracting opportunity? Please visit Doing Business with VTA. On this page you will see all open and upcoming contracting opportunities, learn how to register for contract notifications, and become certified with VTA's Business Diversity Program.
Timeline
Title
Preliminary Engineering
Phase Date Range
-
Title
Design and Engineering
Phase Date Range
-
Title
Environmental Clearance
Phase Date Range
-
California Environmental Quality Act Final Environmental Impact Report, dated April 2005 is approved for the Capitol Expressway Light Rail project with an alignment from Alum Rock to Neiman Blvd. in two phases. First phase extends light rail to Eastridge. Second phase to Nieman. Scope includes:
- Elevated tracks from Alum Rock to south of Story Road
- At-grade through Ocala and Cunningham
- Tunnel under Tully Road
- New stations at Story, Ocala/Cunningham, and Eastridge
- Story Road pedestrian overcrossing at all four corners of the intersection to the elevated station
- Kiss and ride lot on the southeast corner of Story Road
- Station located between Ocala and Cunningham
- Pedestrian facilities along Capitol Expressway (new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping)
- Transit Center at Eastridge
- Original draft study evaluated an alignment between the Alum Rock Station and SR 87
California Environmental Quality Act Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, dated April 2007.
Changes are the result of preliminary engineering and include:
- Elimination of the Nieman extension
- Change from tunnel to elevated alignment at Tully Road
- Elimination of 2 of the 4 pedestrian overcrossings at Story Road
- Elimination of the kiss and ride lot at Story Road
- Move station between Ocala and Cunningham closer to Ocala
- Modify electrical transmission towers relocation (PG&E towers)
Phase 1 to include pedestrian and street improvements, followed by the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Phase 2 to complete the light rail extension to Eastridge Transit Center.
Funds to be used for pedestrian and bus improvements, and utility relocation.
California Environmental Quality Act Revised Addendum to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report.
Approves the phasing (Phase 1) of the Pedestrian and Bus Improvements as Phase 1a and Phase 1b.
Staff completes Federal Categorical Exclusion (National Environmental Policy Act, Categorical Exclusion) that makes the Eastridge Transit Center Improvements eligible for federal funding.
Title
Construction
Phase Date Range
-
Title
Construction
Phase Date Range
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Phase 1b is to rebuild a new Eastridge Transit Center. Construction is expected to be complete in spring, 2015.
Community, Elected Officials, and VTA staff celebrate the groundbreaking construction of the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Including $24 M for transit center property and transfer of $18 M of available budget from Caltrain Capacity Improvement to this project.
California Environmental Quality Act, dated February 2014. This action removes the Ocala light rail station, eliminates the sidewalk widening between Foxdale Drive and Ocala Avenue, (and resulting property acquisition), and expands Eastridge parking. This was based on environmental review from FTA while VTA was preparing a Federal EIS in order to be eligible for federal funding.
Note: VTA decided to suspend the NEPA process in late 2017 due to lack of federal funding available for this project.
Community, local officials, and VTA staff celebrate the completion and opening of the new Eastridge Transit Center.
Title
Design and Engineering
Phase Date Range
-
Engineering contract approved with BKF Engineers for preparation of construction documents for the light rail extension to Eastridge.
Updates to roadway geometry and light rail alignment are to improve the project and mitigate community impacts.
Eastridge to BART Policy Advisory Board recommends approval of staff recommended geometry and light rail alignment changes for VTA Board of Directors action in May 2018. Specifically, the VTA Board will be asked to approve two items:
1. Staff to perform the environmental analysis of the light rail project using California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) criteria, and the staff recommended geometry and vertical light rail alignment.
2. Funding strategy that uses a combination of SB-1 funds and projected savings from other Measure A projects to fund the increased cost resulting from the proposed changes. if the environmental document update and the project changes are approved by the Board at the completion of the environmental analysis.
Project changes to be evaluated in Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
- Extension of elevated structure between Story Road and Tully Road
- Roadway design changes
- Modification to Story Road Pedestrian Overcrossing and Median Access
- Modification to Eastridge Station and Park-and-Ride-Lot
The Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report was released for public review and 45 day comment period.
A Public Meeting was held on October 22.
Comments are due by November 19.
The FINAL Second Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector-Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project (EBRC-CELR) evaluates design changes that have occurred since the Final SEIR-2 was approved in June 2019. VTA is proposing changes to the Project as a result of advances in design and engineering, and updated electrical designs from PG&E. None of these changes are anticipated to have any new significant impacts or an increase in severity of previously identified impacts.
The purpose of today's industry review is for VTA to share an overview of the EBRC project and solicit comments, suggestions, and questions from the contractor community to allow VTA to validate the proposed design approach. The webinar was recorded and will be available July 31. The presentation is available - Industry Review Presentation
A Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) has been created. Each SWG member was nominated by the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board to represent the unique constituencies that live, work, and play along the project alignment. Their role is to disseminate information to the stakeholders near the project area and to give feedback to the project team. For more information, select SWG Orientation Meeting.
Preliminary construction activities will occur behind the Crossroads Shopping Center, on private property, in advance of future utility relocation that are expected to begin later this spring. Weather and conditions permitting, this is expected to continue through mid-March.
VTA has prepared the 2021 Third Addendum to the Final Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR-2) for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project. This is regarding an update to in increase in required tree removal and mitigation.
Title
Utility Relocation
Phase Date Range
-
PG&E will relocate an underground 4" gas pipeline located at Capitol Avenue/Capitol Expressway. Open the Utility Notice - Gas Line Distribution, S. Capitol Avenue for details. This activity will be complete by end of July 2021.
The building located at 1093 E. Capitol Expressway has been acquired and owned by VTA. It is currently vacant. It will be removed August 3-6 to make room for construction of light rail that is expected to begin in 2023.
Relocation of PG&E transmission lines and towers begins. Activities expected to continue through December 2021.
MCI/Verizon to relocate cables.
San Jose Water begins underground relocation of water lines. Activities expected to continue through March 2022. More...
This activity takes place on the north and southwest corners of E. Capitol Expressway at Tully Road and Swift Lane. Duration @ 1 month. More...
Report on the selection of artist Pae White and artist team Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan for the project art enhancement at Story Road and Eastridge Stations
Dates and locations updated. Includes notice of overnight work beginning 2/14/22 for @ 3-4 weeks.
On or about June 6, crews will begin relocation of the gas line located along Capitol Avenue @ Story (between Bambi and Story). Select Notice for details. PG&E Crews are responsible for noticing and coordinating activities directly with residents.
Project updates, introduction to station art, project benefits, updated funding and schedule information. This newsletter is provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Download: EBRC Summer 2022 Newsletter
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
6:30 pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89745912952?pwd=OFhjVVNFK2lNeXlyZDJleEUvVGRJQT09
PG&E, and their contractor, Underground Construction, will begin the next phase of underground utility relocation of gas and electric services. Additional utility owners that share the same areas, AT&T, Comcast, and Crown Castle will coordinate their activities in same area. Most of the work is occurring on Capitol Expressway, and Capitol Avenue.
Meet the artists! Station Art Meeting Event Details
Meet the Artists. This meeting facilitated in Spanish. Station Art Meeting Details.
10am. One hour pre-bid Contract Review for Contractors. Mandatory RSVP: Contract C20120-Eastridge to BART Regional Connector
6:30pm virtual meeting
6pm-English with Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters
7:15pm - Facilitated in Spanish with English interpreter
6pm - English with Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters.
7:15pm - Facilitated in Spanish with English interpreter.
11/16/2023 & 11/30/2023: Fiber Company Crown Castle will be working overnight to early morning to install a new fiber line and remove the traffic pole at the intersection of E. Capitol Expy and S. Capitol Ave. Full construction notice here.