Bart to San Jose may be one step closer to becoming a reality this week.
The Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose unanimously approved a plan Thursday for a $772 million contract for construction of a BART extension to San Jose.
"Today's vote by the VTA Board keeps faith with the voters and taxpayers of Silicon Valley, who cast visionary votes in 2000 and 2008 that made the dream of BART service to Silicon Valley a reality," said Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino.
The transportation authority approval will pave the to add a 16-mile section of BART from the Fremont to San Jose's Berryessa area.
The board also said the approval would create 5,500 jobs during construction and another 4,000 indirect contract jobs and 3,800 more support jobs.
Construction could begin as early as next spring if all the financing, including $900 million in federal funding, were to fall into place.
The winning bid came in at $75 million under the projected cost of the project, which could be completed by the end of 2016.
