TriValley Herald
   Article last updated:
   Sunday, October 07, 2001   3:26 AM MST
   
   Fed funds for BART extension in peril
   
   Two related local projects will go on
   
   By Sean R. CabibiSTAFF WRITER
   
   FREMONT -- An expected scarcity of federal funding following the Sept.
   11 terrorist attacks could put the BART-to-San Jose extension in
   jeopardy, but it will not stop local projects preparing for the
   extension.
   
   Plans for a $59.5 million project to separate the Union Pacific
   railroad tracks where they cross Washington Boulevard and Paseo Padre
   Parkway are moving forward.
   
   "Those two separations are not a condition of a BART extension going
   through," said Kunle Odumade, acting traffic and transportation
   manager for the city. "We see it as helping make it easier if BART
   comes through, but it's going to happen regardless because of other
   traffic concerns at those crossings."
   
   The projects, known as grade separations, would create a bridge
   allowing BART trains to pass without disrupting traffic.
   
   The question is: Will BART ever pass through those grade separations?
   
   The federal government already has passed two bills totaling more than
   $55 billion in federal funds to help victims of the terrorist attacks,
   increase airline security and provide aid for airlines across the
   country. A proposed $60 to $75 billion tax relief package also is
   being considered to stimulate the sluggish economy, and President
   Bush's war on terrorism is certain to carry a hefty price tag.
   
   With the increased strain on the federal budget, it is possible the
   BART extension could be denied funds, according to officials from the
   Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.
   
   But BART Director Tom Blalock remains optimistic.
   
   "(BART and the authority) are continuing to hammer out a plan, and I
   don't expect any changes or deviations to deal with possible federal
   fund shortages," said Blalock, who represents most of southern Alameda
   County.
   
   "It think everyone knows how important extending BART is to southern
   Alameda County and the region. The second- and third-worst Bay Area
   commutes head into Santa Clara County through Fremont."
   
   BART and the Valley Transportation Authority have until Nov. 28 --
   when the Metropolitan Transportation Commission sets rail prioritizes
   for the nine Bay Area counties -- to finalize a plan, officials said.
   
   Without an endorsement from the commission, the federal government
   probably will not help fund the project, officials said.
   
   The proposed BART extension would stretch the system 21 miles south
   into San Jose. Cost is estimated at $3.7 billion.
   
   Blalock said he would not support cutting short the extension -- which
   would be cheaper -- if it didn't connect to another public
   transportation system.
   
   Numerous alternatives to a full BART extension presented by the
   authority include extending BART only to Warm Springs. That would cut
   the cost by $1 billion but force commuters to take express buses,
   heavy rail or light rail to complete the trip to San Jose.
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