The California Transportation Commission (CTC) staff recommendations for funding from Senate Bill 1, the newly passed California gas tax, bode well for Silicon Valley transportation needs. 

All four projects VTA applied for are on the list to be given to the CTC Board for consideration next month. The total funding recommendations come to more than $60 million dollars for desperately needed traffic relief programs throughout Santa Clara County.

The funding recommendations include $17 million for improvements to the so-called “Mathilda Monster” interchange along Mathilda Avenue from US 101 to Innovation Way just north of State Route 237. The project will also provide for new and improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities for safer and easier access. This project is one of the City of Sunnyvale’s highest roadway improvement priorities to address existing congestion on Mathilda Avenue.

The CTC staff recommendations are subject to Commission Board approval next month.

CTC staff also recommends funding just over $4 million to address congestion along Highway 101 to the SR 25 off-ramp in South Santa Clara County. Different alternatives will be studied to provide the most congestion relief with the available funds.

Express lanes in Mountain View and Palo Alto could see $33 million in funding, if approved. This project will convert the existing HOV lanes on US 101 from about SR 237 to the San Mateo County Line; it will also convert the 101/85 carpool-to-carpool direct connectors to express lane connectors up to about SR 237 on SR 85.  VTA and San Mateo submitted a joint application through Caltrans for SB1 funds to the express lanes along the 101 Corridor which totaled $233 million including projects in San Mateo County ($33 million will go to the Santa Clara County part of the project).

And finally, the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, a light rail extension from Eastridge Transit Center to Alum Rock Transit Center, could receive $9 million it needs to complete the project.

All funding is subject to the California Transportation Commission approval on May 16^th.
 
The Local Partnership Program, created under Senate Bill (SB) 1 (Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), rewards counties, cities, districts, and regional transportation agencies in which voters have approved fees or taxes solely dedicated to transportation improvements or that have enacted fees solely dedicated to transportation. Consistent with the intent behind SB 1, the Commission intends this program to balance the need to direct increased revenue to the state’s highest transportation needs while fairly distributing the economic impact of increased funding.