Facing 700M shortfall, Santa Clara transit agency picks single tunnel for BART extension - Local News Matters

The VTA board approved a single tunnel approach for the BART extension, addressing a $700 million funding gap and aiming for project completion by 2037. This strategy, which was supported by an 8-1-3 vote, seeks to secure federal funding by avoiding the complications of concurrent tunneling methods. Board member Suds Jain expressed his opposition, highlighting VTA's management issues and lack of transparency. The project now rests on the performance of a specialized tunnel boring machine, which has faced scrutiny from an independent panel of transit agencies. VTA claims the new plan reduces risks compared to previous designs and avoids disruptive construction methods.

However, uncertainties remain regarding the timely release of federal funds and the project's overall budget. Earlier disputes with contractor Kiewit-Shea-Traylor have added to the project's challenges. As VTA moves forward, concerns about its capacity to manage this complex initiative continue to be voiced.