VTA releases final environmental report for BART Silicon Valley extension

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) earlier this week released the final environmental impact document for the second phase of Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) Silicon Valley extension.

The document environmentally clears all potential station locations, as well as both single- and twin-bore tunneling options, VTA officials said in a press release. The report also includes responses to public comments on the draft document, which was released in December 2016.

VTA's board will meet April 5 to consider approval of the project — including settling on specific station locations and tunneling methods.

Release of the final environmental document is one requirement in the project development phase, which must be completed by June. Other key project development tasks include defining the project scope, identifying a funding plan and wrapping up the environmental review process.

Last month, VTA received FTA approval to push the project development deadline from March to June.

Phase II of BART's Silicon Valley Extension involves constructing 6 miles of rail through downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, California. The alignment would include a 5-mile subway through downtown San Jose and four stations.

VTA is overseeing construction of the extension.