FTA issues record of decision for BART Silicon Valley extension

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a record of decision for Bay Area Rapid Transit's Silicon Valley extension into downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, California.

The FTA decision signifies that VTA has met National Environmental Policy Act requirements. It also marks the next step in securing federal funding for the $4.7 billion project, according to a press release issued by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), which is overseeing construction of the extension.

As the project sponsor, VTA is applying for $1.5 billion in FTA New Starts funding.

The agency already has secured 70 percent of the needed funding through two local sales tax measures and a $750 million grant from California's Senate Bill 1 transportation funding legislation.

The 6-mile route is the extension's second phase. The first phase covers 10 miles from the Warm Springs station in Fremont, California, to the Berryessa area of San Jose.

The second phase also includes a 5-mile subway, three underground stations and one at-grade station.

In February, VTA and the FTA released the final environmental impact document for the second phase.