BART Silicon Valley Phase II Hits 3M Safe Hours at West Portal as 'RISE' Affordable Housing Rises at Berryessa

West Portal Excavation Achieves 3 Million Hours Without Lost-Time Injury

SAN JOSE, California — Marking an extraordinary engineering and safety milestone on Northern California's largest public infrastructure undertaking, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) announced in October 2026 that the $12.7 billion BART Silicon Valley Phase II extension officially surpassed 3 million work hours without a lost-time injury. Heavy civil crews achieved the record while executing complex subterranean excavation at the West Portal site adjacent to Newhall Yard and San Jose Mineta International Airport.

The 6-mile subway expansion will extend heavy rail from Berryessa through subterranean tunnels beneath downtown San Jose, connecting four major passenger stations at 28th Street/Little Portugal, Downtown San Jose, Diridon Station, and Santa Clara. Project engineers reaffirmed that foundation retention walls and launch shaft preparation remain on track for tunnel boring machine operations.

'RISE' Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Advances at Berryessa Station

Demonstrating transit-oriented development in action, VTA and non-profit homebuilder Affirmed Housing progressed vertical construction on 'RISE', a landmark 195-unit, 100% affordable housing community situated directly at the Berryessa/North San Jose Transit Center. Engineered to serve low- and extremely low-income working families, the residential development features direct platform access, on-site early education facilities, and private courtyards, eliminating daily vehicle commutes for hundreds of residents.

Housing directors commended the development as the vanguard of VTA’s regional portfolio to build thousands of affordable transit-adjacent homes across surplus public property in Santa Clara County.

San Jose Mineta Airport Launches 'Gateside' Security Program

Complementing surface transportation progress, San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) officially activated its new 'Gateside' program in early October 2026, permitting verified TSA PreCheck travelers and airport visitors to access dining and concourses without an active boarding pass. Concurrently, airport planners advanced environmental evaluations for new vertiport facilities and modernized FAA control systems, ensuring Silicon Valley maintains cutting-edge multi-modal travel infrastructure.