Overview
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in partnership with the City of Santa Clara, the City of San José, the County of Santa Clara, and Caltrans, is developing a 10.8-mile Class IV separated bikeway connecting Santa Clara and North San José. The Central Bikeway will run from the intersection of El Camino Real and Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara, along El Camino Real, The Alameda, Hedding Street, the North 10th/11th Street couplet, Taylor Street, and Mabury Road, ending near the Berryessa BART Station in North San José. The goal is to create a safe, continuous...
Overview
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in partnership with the City of Santa Clara, the City of San José, the County of Santa Clara, and Caltrans, is developing a 10.8-mile Class IV separated bikeway connecting Santa Clara and North San José. The Central Bikeway will run from the intersection of El Camino Real and Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara, along El Camino Real, The Alameda, Hedding Street, the North 10th/11th Street couplet, Taylor Street, and Mabury Road, ending near the Berryessa BART Station in North San José. The goal is to create a safe, continuous, and completely protected bikeway linking these communities – the first bicycle “superhighway” of its kind in the Bay Area.
Objectives
The Central Bikeway project’s primary objective is to provide a safe, comfortable, and low-stress route for people of all ages and abilities to bike between Santa Clara and North San José. By physically separating bicycles from car traffic and improving intersections, the project aims to eliminate common conflict points and make bicycling a viable, everyday transportation option. It will connect major destinations and transit hubs (such as local Caltrain and BART stations) to encourage commuting, errands, and other trips by bike instead of by car. Ultimately, this project will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, enhance access to transit, and contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities.
The Central Bikeway was envisioned in VTA’s Central Bikeway Feasibility Study (2022), which identified the preferred route and design concept.
Project Features:
The Central Bikeway will include a comprehensive set of design features and improvements to ensure a “joyful, continuous, connected, and comfortable” experience for cyclists. Key project features described in the feasibility study include:
Fully Protected Bikeway (Class IV)
Approximately 10.8 miles of continuous separated bikeway protected from car traffic from end to end. The bike route will be at sidewalk-level or separated by a barrier, creating a dedicated space for cyclists that runs along major corridors.
Protected Intersections
Approximately 20 intersections will be redesigned as protected intersections, meaning they will feature corner safety islands and setback bike crossings to reduce turning conflicts. Many intersections will get bicycle-specific signals and signal phases that give cyclists a head start or exclusive time to cross, separate from vehicle movements. This design greatly improves safety for both bicyclists and pedestrians when crossing busy streets.
Raised Crossings
Approximately 50 raised crosswalks or raised bike crossings will be added at side-street intersections and driveways. These act as speed tables, slowing down turning cars and making people walking or biking more visible. The raised crossings will reinforce lower speeds and safer yield behavior wherever the bikeway crosses minor streets.
Signal Coordination ("Green Waves")
Traffic signals along some key road segments will be coordinated to create a “green wave” for bicyclists. This means cyclists traveling at a comfortable speed can get successive green lights, minimizing the number of stops. By timing signals for bicycle speeds on some corridors, the bikeway will offer a faster, smoother ride for commuters.
Transit Boarding Islands
The project will construct approximately 45 transit boarding islands at bus stops along the route. A boarding island is a platform between the bike lane and the general traffic lanes where buses can pick up and drop off passengers. These islands allow buses to stop without crossing the bikeway and provide safe waiting areas for transit customers. This design keeps buses and bikes separated, improving safety and transit efficiency.
Additional Enhancements
The Central Bikeway will also include enhanced transit stops (with shelters and seating on the new boarding islands), clear wayfinding signage to local destinations, and improved landscaping and lighting along the corridor. These features will make the route more intuitive, attractive, and comfortable to use at all hours. Together, the improvements are focused on making cycling a convenient and enjoyable way to travel across the core of Santa Clara County.
Cost & Funding
The Central Bikeway is a large-scale investment in active transportation. Preliminary cost estimates cover several phases – from design through construction – and will be refined as the project progresses. Below is a breakdown of estimated costs by phase, along with current funding status (secured vs. needed):
- Project Approval & Environmental Documentation (PA&ED): $14 million – Funding Secured:
The California Transportation Commission approved $14M (State Transportation Improvement Program funds) in June 2025 to fund the environmental clearance and preliminary design work. - Final Design – Plans, Specs & Estimates (PS&E): ~$17 million – Funding Identified:
Approximately $16.7 million is currently programmed (tentatively reserved) in future STIP funds for the design phase. - Right-of-Way (R/W): To Be Determined
The cost for right-of-way acquisition will depend on the final design and how many private parcels (if any) must be partly acquired. At this time, no specific funding is secured for R/W, and any needed funds will have to be secured once the requirements are known. - Construction: ~$150+ million (rough estimate) - Funding Needed
This is the largest cost component, covering the physical build-out of 10.8 miles of protected bikeways, intersections, signals, and amenities. No construction funding is secured yet. VTA will pursue a mix of sources, which may include regional, state, and federal grants. The construction cost estimate will be refined as design progresses.
Total Project Cost: Based on initial estimates, the total cost for all phases (design, right-of-way, and construction) of the Central Bikeway could be around $213 million. The project cost estimate will be updated as more detailed engineering is completed.
