One of the costliest transit projects in the Bay Area is a $772 million contract, closer to construction come Dec. 8. The long-awaited BART extension from Fremont to the region's largest city may be contingent on FTA funding expected in February.
"The (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority) vote on a construction bid for the (BART Silicon Valley) project will come at its Dec. 8 board meeting and is certain to be approved. That sets the stage for the much-anticipated decision by the Federal Transit Administration in February to determine how much if any federal aid will be earmarked for the $2.3 billion, 10-mile line from Warm Springs to the Berryessa area of San Jose.
Now all that stands in the way of BART commuters being able to travel south of Fremont is federal funding -- money the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) thinks it will get but which is beholden to the nation's fiscal crisis and political deadlock in Washington, D.C."
"When we get the federal funding agreement in February, that's it. It will happen", asserted a confident San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.
VTA is seeking $900 million in federal New Starts funding for the initial, 10-mile, two-station extension to Berrryessa. The full project goes another six miles to Santa Clara (Caltrain Station), including the subway through downtown San Jose that would include a stop at the Caltrain/Amtrak Station where it would meet with the planned high speed rail train from Los Angeles.
Thanks to Matthew WILLIAMS
FULL STORY: Key step for BART to San Jose

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie