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In February, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) placed Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) proposed Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) extension to the Silicon Valley on the "not recommended" list to receive federal New Starts funding. However, the FTA earlier this week accepted a revised proposal.

The previous proposal didn’t meet FTA’s local financial commitment and/or project justification expectations. Now, the authority will pursue federal funds for a portion of the 16.3-mile extension, and construct the remainder with state and local funds.

FTA’s approval will increase VTA’s chances of receiving a "recommended" rating through the New Starts process. The administration now will evaluate the Warm Springs-to-Berryessa portion of the extension for federal funding.

Scheduled to be complete in 2015, the $4 billion, seven-station extension would extend BART service to Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara, Calif.