It all started with a vision. 

It was 2008 when the City of Milpitas first adopted its Transit Area Specific Plan (TASP), which mapped a path toward transforming the industrial area around the Great Mall and Montague Parkway into a transit-oriented neighborhood. 

As of today, the area at the south end of Milpitas has undergone all kinds of transformation. From the BART station to the apartment buildings to the retail spaces, the neighborhood has been slowly shifting from an industrial zone to a walkable, mixed-used area.  

Currently, the City is focused on completing a big project that will help them to further advance their vision of a vibrant, resident-centered neighborhood…

Known as the South Milpitas Boulevard Extension project, it involves building a new road connecting Tarob and Sango Courts, as well as a bridge over the Penetencia East Channel. Doing so will provide ease of access for pedestrians and bicyclists.    

“This is not something that was planned one day,” said City Engineer Michael Silvera, who oversees all engineering for the City of Milpitas. “It’s part of the Metro Specific Plan that was already identified. We’ve used that master plan to complete this project in phases.”

In 2023, the TASP was updated and renamed the Milpitas Metro Specific Plan, which aims to continue accelerating all of the neighborhood’s progress.

The first phase of the project was completed in 2019. South Milpitas Blvd. was extended from Montague Expressway to East Capital Avenue – and the roadway was further extended to Penitencia Creek in 2024. And an extension of a portion of Sango Court was also completed last year. The final phase with the bridge and connecting road will close the gap, continuing to further integrate the BART, the Great Mall, schools, and neighborhoods in a way that provides enhanced access and usability for residents. 

At the moment, the City is working closely with Toll Brothers to build the last connection between Sango Court and Tarob Court, which they’re anticipating will be completed by this summer. 

The overall cost of the South Milpitas Blvd. Extension project is $15.7 million. The project has two funding sources. $12.7 million is funded through development TASP impact fees that the City of Milpitas collects. These fees are paid by developers and builders with new projects in the TASP-specific area. The other $3 million is funded by a federal Community Project Funding grant, something that Representative Ro Khanna advocated for several years ago. 

The bridge will have a unique design, bringing artistic flavor and character to the neighborhood. “The railings are going to be installed with colorful metal, with curves that represent the hillsides of Milpitas. That’s going to show the character of the City of Milpitas,” said Lyhak Eam, a public works manager who oversees the design construction work. 

Eam also told The Beat that ​​the City has worked very closely with Santa Clara Valley Water District and adjacent private developers to acquire the land rights and easement for bridge construction. 

After the bridge, a new park will also be built in the area, including a playground, tennis courts, a community garden, a picnic area, and restroom facilities. 

Construction on the bridge and new road is anticipated to start in June or July, and will take a total of 12-18 months. 

The road and bridge are anticipated to be completed by early 2028, with park construction to follow and wrap up around 2029.