Project Overview
The Across Barrier Connections (ABC) Plan is a county-wide initiative dedicated to making walking and biking safer and more accessible across local freeway interchanges. VTA is identifying and prioritizing key locations where new or improved freeway interchanges can better connect neighborhoods.
The plan focuses on improving connections across all limited-access freeways within Santa Clara County:
Interstates: I-280, I-680, I-880
U.S. & State Routes: US-101, SR-17, SR-85, SR-87, SR-237
Why This Plan Matters
Freeways provide essential regional travel but can act as "concrete barriers" for those traveling by foot or bike. This is particularly true for underserved communities, many of which are located within 1,000 feet of a freeway. Compared to other parts of the county, these residents face:
Safety Risks: Higher rates of severe pedestrian and bicycle crashes.
Environmental Impact: Increased exposure to noise and air pollution.
Isolation: Significant physical barriers that make reaching jobs, schools, and parks difficult without a car.
Driven by the Community
We aren't planning in a vacuum. The ABC Plan relies on your expertise. VTA is inviting residents to help us identify current barriers and develop recommendations for a more connected future through outreach opportunities. Currently, outreach Phase 1 has concluded. The project team is expected to resume outreach Phase 2 in late summer/early fall.
Community Outreach Phase 1
Online Workshop | April 22, 2026
VTA hosted an online workshop where participants learned about the project overview, historic research and more. During the presentation participants were able to provide feedback using the Mentimeter. The event concluded with a facilitated Q&A at the end. See below for video.
Survey | April 1-26, 2026
There was commuity survey that was open countywide throughout the month. The data from the survey will help the project team narrow locations for the ABC Plan.
Project Overview
The Across Barrier Connections (ABC) Plan is a county-wide initiative dedicated to making walking and biking safer and more accessible across local freeway interchanges. VTA is identifying and prioritizing key locations where new or improved freeway interchanges can better connect neighborhoods.
The plan focuses on improving connections across all limited-access freeways within Santa Clara County:
Interstates: I-280, I-680, I-880
U.S. & State Routes: US-101, SR-17, SR-85, SR-87, SR-237
Why This Plan Matters
Freeways provide essential regional travel but can act as "concrete barriers" for those traveling by foot or bike. This is particularly true for underserved communities, many of which are located within 1,000 feet of a freeway. Compared to other parts of the county, these residents face:
Safety Risks: Higher rates of severe pedestrian and bicycle crashes.
Environmental Impact: Increased exposure to noise and air pollution.
Isolation: Significant physical barriers that make reaching jobs, schools, and parks difficult without a car.
Driven by the Community
We aren't planning in a vacuum. The ABC Plan relies on your expertise. VTA is inviting residents to help us identify current barriers and develop recommendations for a more connected future through outreach opportunities. Currently, outreach Phase 1 has concluded. The project team is expected to resume outreach Phase 2 in late summer/early fall.
Community Outreach Phase 1
Online Workshop | April 22, 2026
VTA hosted an online workshop where participants learned about the project overview, historic research and more. During the presentation participants were able to provide feedback using the Mentimeter. The event concluded with a facilitated Q&A at the end. See below for video.
Survey | April 1-26, 2026
There was commuity survey that was open countywide throughout the month. The data from the survey will help the project team narrow locations for the ABC Plan.