Bay Area Rapid Transit Expansion Into San Jose

Bay Area Rapid Transit, a heavy-rail public transportation system that many Bay Area residents rely on, has begun its southward expansion

Rebecca Wawda and Anderson Chang • December 10, 2025

Photo by BART

Bay Area Rapid Transit, a heavy-rail public transportation system that many Bay Area residents rely on, has begun its southward expansion. The project was initially expected to launch in 2020, but was delayed by two years due to funding setbacks. Officials estimate that the project will be completed in 2037, costing roughly $12.5 billion.

Built in 1972, the BART system is an electric-powered heavy-rail transit system used for accessible travel throughout the Bay Area. Currently, BART stations are mainly located in large cities in the northern Bay Area, such as San Francisco and Berkeley. However, BART is planning to build more stations towards downtown San Jose and Santa Clara.

“As a South Bay Area resident, I feel like I don’t rely on BART as much as I should,” Raagini Jagannath said. “I’ve only taken it a couple of times, and that is usually in San Francisco. [However], I think that it’s really useful that BART is expanding downtown because it makes it a lot easier to travel throughout the Bay Area.”

The project is currently being built in two phases, constructed through a 100-foot single tunnel underground. Phase 1, already completed, built a 10-mile extension connecting two new stations to Santa Clara County, and Phase 2, in progress, plans to extend an additional six miles from the Phase 1 stations, connecting stations to downtown San Jose.

“The project is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Santa Clara County,” Valley Transportation Authority’s Chief Megaprojects Delivery Officer Tom Maguire said. “It will, when finished, involve six miles of new rail, a five-mile, single-bore tunnel and four new stations.”

With BART expanding into San Jose, the largest city in the Bay Area, more residents will gain access to public transportation. This will likely lead to a decrease in traffic congestion on freeways. In terms of economic impact, BART’s expansion could boost local businesses near the new stations by increasing foot traffic in the area. It may also raise property values, leading to higher housing prices around those transit stops. San Jose would be more directly connected to the rest of the East Bay. This expansion also introduces better commute options for students and workers. Once completed, this expansion introduces a way to travel around the Bay Area using only public transit.

However, given that this project relies significantly on federal funding, some fear that Trump may withdraw funding for the expansion. As it involves large-scale underground construction, the project could also face delays or go over budget.

Since BART’s long-term vision is to connect the entire Bay Area, more expansion into the East Bay and South Bay is likely to occur in the future.

About the Contributors

Rebecca Wawda, Print Sports Editor

Rebecca Wawda (she/her) is a current junior and the print sports editor for The Prospector for the 2025–2026 school year. Outside of her various school activities, in her free time you can find Rebecca listening to music through Spotify, upcycling/sewing, watching television, and hanging out with friends and family. Additionally, you’ll often see Rebecca trying out a new iced drink weekly, because she never seems to be able to conclude her favorite order.

Anderson Chang, Writer

Anderson Chang is a senior who recently joined The Prospector as a writer. Anderson looks forward to gaining a better understanding of all the different aspects of journalism and learning diverse new skills throughout the school year. Through The Prospector, Anderson hopes to improve his writing and contribute to sharing impactful stories with the CHS community. Outside of journalism, he enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends, traveling outside the country, and reading.