The project, which has remained in high priority with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), might lose its status if the city does not proceed with it soon.

According to VTA's recent regulations, "Tier 1" projects must start work on the environmental phase within two years of adoption or within two years of adoption of this policy by the VTA board, whichever is later. As a result, the Bernardo project has two more years before it gets bumped off the Tier 1 list, according to Dieckmann Wolfe, transportation planner for the city.

In October 2000, the VTA board of directors adopted the Countywide Bicycle Plan, which included a list of projects funded through the Bicycle Expenditure Program over a 10-year period. Funds for the program are from four primary sources—the 1996 Measure B Bicycle Program, the Transportation Fund for Clean Air 40 percent Program, the Transportation Development Act and transportation enhancement funds.

The projects on the list are categorized into Tier 1 and Tier 2, according to priority and funding, with Tier 1 projects as the higher priority. VTA reviews the list every two years to make adjustments to the projects.

Currently there are two Sunnyvale projects on VTA's Tier 1 list—the Borregas Avenue bicycle and pedestrian over-crossings at Highway 101 and State Route 237 and the Bernardo Avenue Caltrain under-crossing.

While the feasibility study, project study report and preliminary public outreach have been completed for the Borregas project, the Bernardo project remains stagnant.

"The project hadn't been prioritized by the city council or BPAC [Sunnyvale's bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee]," Wolfe said. "We haven't started anything for that project yet, but we have every intention of completing it."

Residents agreed that the Bernardo under-crossing is a very important project for the whole region, particularly for Sunnyvale, because it would close the existing gap in the Santa Clara County bicycle network.

"People have been talking about this for 20 years, and it still hasn't happened," said Anne Ng, a Cupertino resident. "This is a very important project."

"This would be an extremely cost-effective way to improve air quality and bike access in the region," added BPAC member Kevin Jackson.

Out of the $30.5 million allocated for Tier 1 projects, the Countywide Bicycle Plan has allocated $3.76 million to the Borregas project and $1.04 million to the Bernardo project. But the allocation is not set in stone and could change during VTA's biennial review.

"There is a great deal of regional support for the Bernardo project," said David Simons, a member of the VTA BPAC, an advisory committee comprising representatives from different cities. A liaison between cities and the county, VTA BPAC recommends projects to the VTA board.

Council members were in agreement with residents about the importance of the Bernardo Avenue project and the necessity of the city taking action. At the Aug. 13 city council meeting, council members directed staff to submit a project update to VTA that would reflect the Bernardo project's updated cost, scope and schedule. The update would also include a request that the VTA maintain the Bernardo project at its current Tier 1 status.

Despite the council's show of support for the under-crossing, the ball is ultimately in the VTA's court.

"It's ultimately up to the VTA board whether or not the project remains on the Tier 1 list," said Jack Witthaus, the city's traffic and transportation manager.