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Council approves $10 million San Jose contribution to 101‑Zanker interchange final design; critics urge more bike/ped changes
Summary
San Jose’s City Council on Sept. 9 approved a $10 million amendment to a VTA funding agreement so the Anchor Road/101‑Zanker interchange can move into final design, a step councilmembers said was necessary to address longstanding North San Jose access problems.
San Jose City Council voted 9–1 on Sept. 9 to amend its funding agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and contribute $10 million toward final design of the Anchor Road/101‑Zanker interchange project, a multi‑decade North San Jose transportation project.
VTA is the lead agency; the project completes a long‑planned connection between Fourth Street/Anchor and the airport area and rebuilds several substandard ramps west of the 101/880 interchange. Transportation Director John Russo told the council the project is included in a North San Jose environmental clearance completed years earlier, which set a six‑lane baseline for Zanker Road; staff said they are working on a revised North San Jose transportation plan that could recommend a narrower cross section but that the current design must be consistent with the environmental baseline until that plan is updated.
Public comment included opposition from cyclists and advocacy groups, who called the interchange overly wide at points and raised safety concerns for bike and pedestrian crossings across ramps. VTA and city staff said the final design will include a raised, two‑way protected bike/pedway across the structure and a 17‑foot protected facility on the overcrossing; they also suggested returning to BPAC and North San Jose planning input during final design. Councilmember Dwan was the lone vote against the funding amendment.
The funding contribution comes from transportation impact fees and other project funds previously set aside for North San Jose transportation projects; approving the amendment enables VTA to advance design work. Staff said design will take multiple years and that construction will be phased over additional years after final design and environmental clearances.
