Facing $700M shortfall, Santa Clara transit agency picks single tunnel for BART extension

SILICON VALLEY TRANSIT officials are moving forward with plans to dig a single tunnel and close their BART extension funding woes. The strategy is steeped with risk.

After a fallout with the main contractor and scathing rebukes from BART officials, the VTA board of directors voted 8-1-3 to lock in on a new set of design, construction and delivery choices to help close a $700 million funding gap and trigger the full release of federal dollars promised for the extension. Board member and Santa Clara Councilmember Suds Jain — who expressed a lack of confidence in the plan — voted no. Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas voiced similar criticisms, but left the meeting alongside Mayor Matt Mahan before the vote. San Jose City Councilmember Rosemary Kamei was absent.