San Jose BART Giant Worm Needs a Name: In an unprecedented opportunity, The News invites you to christen San Jose’s colossal tunneling marvel, the BART extension tunnel boring machine (TBM). This $76 million engineering behemoth, acquired by the Valley Transportation Authority from Germany, is set to burrow a 4.6-mile underground thoroughfare, creating a Bay Area transit ring.
Historically, TBMs in cities with comparable infrastructure projects bear names honoring local women. Seattle’s “Bertha” paid homage to its first female mayor. Now, San Jose awaits a moniker for its subterranean giant.
Expected to commence work in 2025, the Bay Area mega project will extend BART service, adding a U-shaped extension from Berryessa Transit Center to Santa Clara. With four new stations, it anticipates catering to 50,000 daily passengers by 2040.
The tradition of naming TBMs after women harks back to miners praying to Saint Barbara for safety underground. This practice, seen globally, reflects a symbolic association with powerful women. San Jose’s TBM awaits its distinctive name, and the Valley Transportation Authority plans its own naming contest in 2024.
Despite facing delays and cost escalations, the completion of San Jose’s BART extension in 2036 promises enhanced connectivity. This $12.2 billion venture aims to transform transit, with four new stations including Downtown San Jose and Diridon Station.
Your suggestion could become the legacy of this underground titan, shaping the future of San Jose’s transit landscape.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Did VTA purchase $76 million tunnel boring machine for Bart’s San Jose extension?
The upcoming TBM is set to be a colossal machine, with a whopping $76 million price tag. The manufacturer will receive payments at various stages of the process, including design, production, delivery, assembly, and launch. To add to the excitement, VTA will be holding a naming contest for the TBM prior to its arrival. Stay tuned for more updates on this impressive piece of machinery.