BART To San Jose Project Seems to Be Settling on Single-Tunnel, or Single-Bore Design

BART officials confirmed a single-tunnel design for the BART-to-San Jose project, aimed at reducing cost overruns and time delays. The project's cost has escalated to $12. 7 billion, with completion now slated for 2037. This design choice is expected to minimize disruption in downtown San Jose during construction, as it involves a single bore tunnel instead of the traditional dual tunnels. VTA general manager Carolyn Gonot stated that this method is the most efficient for extending BART service into Silicon Valley.

Despite the optimism, the project faces challenges, including the need for deeper tunnels that complicate access. Critics have pointed out potential inflation in VTA's cost estimates, which the agency disputes. The previous phase of the project, which included the Berryessa/North San Jose station, opened in June 2020. As the project progresses, its long timeline raises questions about future developments in the area, including Google's planned mega-campus.