TJPA lays out master schedule and funding plan for DTX, advances interagency MOU

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority on Jan. 30 presented a revised master schedule and funding plan for the Downtown Rail Extension (the portal), saying staff has funding to advance engineering and preconstruction work over the next several years while continuing advocacy to close a remaining construction funding gap.

The update, delivered by TJPA Executive Director Willie Vandewater, portal Project Director Alfonso Rodriguez and Chief Financial Officer Sheema Mirzai, set a target FFGA date of July 2027 and an initial revenue service target in 2035 under the program's unconstrained schedule. Board members then authorized the chair to execute an implementation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with partner agencies to formalize collaboration on the portal implementation.

Why it matters: The portal is the project to connect Caltrain and future standard-gauge/high-speed rail into the Salesforce Transit Center. Completing the engineering, critical third‑party agreements and preconstruction activities would position the project to request and negotiate an FFGA with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Staff said those steps are necessary to make the project competitive for federal and state matching funds.

Key points from staff presentations

- Funding posture: Staff presented a program-level…