Santa Clara Valley authority OKs environmental report for light-rail extension

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) last week approved the final supplemental environmental impact report (EIR) for the Eastridge-to-BART Regional Connector project, which will extend the light rail 2.4 miles from Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge Transit Center in San Jose, California.

The final supplemental EIR includes design changes made since 2016 and an analysis of how those changes impact the environment. The revised extension design eliminates grade crossings, which will  allow light-rail service to travel at faster speeds, according to a VTA press release.

With the supplemental EIR's approval in hand, VTA can now work on utility agreements and property acquisition to advance the utility relocation.

Engineering work is expected to be completed by mid-2020. Construction of the $453 million light-rail extension could begin in 2021 with a target opening of 2025, according to the VTA.