Transportation planners are preparing to begin an environmental study for a project that will extend Santa Teresa Boulevard to the intersection of Highways 101 and 25 in Gilroy, and are asking the public and stakeholders to offer their input.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and Caltrans are preparing a joint Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for the project, known as the “US 101/SR 25/Santa Teresa Boulevard Extension Project.”
To begin that process, the VTA issued a Notice of Preparation for the EIR and has scheduled an Aug. 11 scoping meeting. The public is encouraged to attend and let planners know what they think the environmental study should cover and consider.
The meeting will take place 6-7pm at the Gavilan College Student Center, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., in Gilroy. Project planners will provide an overview of the project before opening up the proceeding for public input.
People can also submit feedback by mail (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Attn: Alex Bode, 331 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95134, Building B-2) or email (10*************@*ta.org) by Aug. 24.
The project will build a new two-lane roadway connection from Santa Teresa Boulevard, just north of Castro Valley Road, to the US 101/SR 25 interchange Phase 1 project, which is currently under construction. The extension will widen to four lanes as it approaches the highway intersection.
The project also aims to provide new bicycle connectivity between Santa Teresa Boulevard and the new interchange; reduce congestion on Highway 101; and enhance local and regional access to the US 101 corridor, according to VTA officials.
Santa Teresa Boulevard currently ends at Castro Valley Road, just south of the Gavilan College campus. The extension project plans to build a new roadway section through vacant property between Castro Valley Road and US 101.
Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo said city officials are “excited” to hear about VTA’s plans to begin an EIR on the project, noting that it will likely bring smoother traffic flow to many Gilroy residents.
“This is good for Gilroy, good for Gavilan College, and good for the residents on the west side who have additional needs and will have more options as they move about Gilroy,” Bozzo said.
VTA officials said the environmental study for the Santa Teresa Extension project will last until some time in 2027. The project design stage will last from 2027-2029, and construction will take place 2029-2031, according to the VTA.
