Santa Clara VTA finalizes sales tax measure for November ballot

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) board yesterday adopted the framework and funding amounts for a half-cent, 30-year sales tax measure to help fund a number of transportation projects.

The sales tax is estimated to generate $6 billion to $6.5 billion. The projects funded by the proceeds would include:

    •    Phase II of VTA's Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Extension, which would receive $1.5 billion;
    •    Caltrain capacity improvements, $300 million; and
    •    Caltrain grade separations, $700 million.

The measure will go before voters in November and requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

The board's action follows an 18-month public outreach process that began in fall 2014. Known as "Envision Silicon Valley," the outreach program allowed VTA to gather input and suggestions on transportation needs from transportation professionals, stakeholder groups, community organizations and residents in Santa Clara County.