Here’s great news: We can build the BART tunnel without destroying downtown San Jose. VTA now has received multiple strong validations to be the first in the United States to build its innovative single-bore tunnel for the six-mile project to extend BART into the heart of Silicon Valley.

The customized, cutting-edge tunnel boring machine (TBM) will horizontally bore a five-mile tunnel deep beneath the surface, automatically line the tunnel with concrete support liners and relocate the removed soil, with little hint at the surface of all that is happening below.

The single-tunnel enables the stations to be constructed off street like other developments and will go beneath most existing utilities, further reducing above-ground impacts

This strategic approach to delivering a mega-infrastructure project helps ensure that the heart of innovation keeps pumping. It should not be underestimated that the extension will impact this region with a depth on par with the tech industry. As it creates a transit ring around the bay, this heavy-rail transit project will produce significant economic growth, mobility improvements, environmental benefits and an overall improvement in the quality of life.

Hundreds of jobs have already been filled to plan, design and engineer this project. Ultimately, a projected 75,000 direct and indirect jobs will surface, with a dedicated effort to engage small and disadvantaged businesses. Direct employment supported by the project will result in over $3.5 billion in new labor income and will provide an abundance of apprenticeship opportunities.

The economic impact is only rivaled by the environmental impact this extension will have on our region. With hotter summers and drier winters, the devastation of climate change is evident. And only a change in habits will steer us toward a safer future. Solo driving and traffic congestion are the largest contributors of CO2 emissions and climate change.

Currently, San José residents face the longest average commute (39 minutes) with the most hours of traffic-generated delay (81 hours per year) and the highest cost of congestion ($2,557 per year) of any
U.S. urbanized area under 3,000,000 population. BART service through Santa Clara County can eliminate 3.9 million annual auto trips, enormously reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

This project provides for a once-in-a-century opportunity to sustainably organize Santa Clara Valley’s future growth around public transportation. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Plan Bay Area 2040 long range plan identifies the extension of BART service to San Jose and Santa Clara as the No. 1 priority for improving mobility.

Each of the four future station areas are targeted for higher-density residential development in San Jose and Santa Clara’s general plans. A diversity of jobs, housing types and economic opportunities will reduce the risk of displacement and provide affordable-housing choices.

Santa Clara County residents have repeatedly voted to tax ourselves. To ensure that we realize all these benefits, VTA is applying to the California State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program for $750 million, the critical piece to completing the funding plan for the Phase II Extension Project. This pursuit is bolstered by great faith from the federal government, which just admitted VTA to re-enter a funding program that could produce up to 50% of the funding for this worthy project, a potentially historic federal investment in Santa Clara County and the state of California.

We need strongly expressed support locally and from our leaders throughout California to succeed. In Silicon Valley, we’re used to changing the world, and a world-class region needs a world-class public transportation system. The BART Extension into Silicon Valley can help create that.

Carl Guardino is vice chair of the California Transportation Commission. David Bini is executive director of Santa Clara and San Benito counties’ Building and Construction Trades Council.