BART board approves single-bore tunnel project in San Jose

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) says that its board of directors have approved the San Jose tunneling plan, according to Curbed San Francisco.

In a 5-0 vote, the directors gave the nod for a “single-bore” tunnel project that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority says will be faster and less disruptive to San Jose traffic.

Previously, BART planners had wanted to go with a more traditional dual-tunnel approach to the San Jose dig, and the disagreement put the $4.8 billion project into a holding pattern.

The VTA board approved the tunnel plan earlier this month. The BART vote also means that the extension may qualify for federal grants that cover nearly a third of its costs.

Construction would begin toward the end of 2020, and the first passenger service would happen come 2026. The full 16-mile plan involves six new stations, from Milpitas to Santa Clara.