VTA’s El Camino Real BRT Project Clears Important Funding Hurdle

"The goal of this project is to improve transit service along El Camino Real and meet the future growth and travel demand that is expected within this corridor," said Michael T. Burns, VTA General Manager. “This endorsement by the FTA validates that the vision and the work that has been done so far is consistent with federal standards and overall policy objectives, and should be continued."

 

VTA has been analyzing the environmental impacts of seven project alternatives for the El Camino Real BRT Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act. With this entry into PD, VTA has pre-award authority to incur costs for project development activities prior to the approval of FTA grant funding. Activities include as much engineering and design work necessary to support and complete the environmental review process. The Draft Environmental Impact Report is slated for public review and input by summer 2014. 

 

The project would upgrade existing Rapid 522 Bus Service to bus rapid transit status. BRT uses technology and enhanced infrastructure to decrease boarding times, bypass auto congestion, and experience fewer red lights. With these improvements, specialized BRT vehicles are able to travel faster, more comfortably and with greater on-time reliability.

 

Improvements could include either dedicated lanes that would use median stations or curb bulb-out stations in which case the BRT vehicle would operate in the right lane with auto traffic. Existing Rapid 522 stations would be upgraded to more substantial, light rail-like stations that feature weather protection, off-board fare payment, and real-time information.  Based on General Plans for each city within the corridor, the project could also install bicycle lanes on El Camino Real in areas where there are dedicated BRT lanes.

 

“The General Plan for the City of Santa Clara is focused on the intensified growth in business and residential developments along this corridor that will forever change how people live, work and travel along El Camino Real,” said Santa Clara City Mayor Jaime Matthews. “An effective, state-of-the-art bus rapid transit system will increase transit usage and also provide safe and enhanced access for bicycles and pedestrians through the infrastructure investment that comes with this highly anticipated project improvement.”

 

To ultimately obtain federal funding for the project, VTA must complete the environmental review process and provide FTA with enough information for evaluation, such as a reasonable cost estimate and financial plan, to complete PD and become ready for a construction grant agreement.

 

“While the news doesn't necessarily guarantee VTA will secure federal funding for the project, it is a significant step in that direction,” said VTA Board Chair Joe Pirzynski. “Projects like El Camino Real BRT that maximize efficiency using multimodal solutions versus only catering to vehicle traffic are of great interest to FTA, and is one of the most highly anticipated transit improvement to serve Santa Clara County.”

 

For more information, contact VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300; TTY (408) 321-2330. You can also log onto www.vta.org and sign-up to receive VTA email updates; follow us on Twitter: @VTA and “Like” us on facebook.com/scvta!

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning and provides these services throughout the county including the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.