Alum Rock is a setback for VTA’s plans

The Valley Transportation Authority now has a problem similar to Santa Clara County’s: A black mark to overcome when it next asks voters to pass a tax for construction projects.

And for VTA, the “ask” is less than a year away. Countywide leaders now are putting together a new transit tax plan for the November 2016 ballot.

The infamous meltdown at the county’s $840 million Valley Medical Center project was understood only by insiders until the construction contract blew up in public this fall amid fits of frenzied fingerpointing.

But problems with VTA’s $114 million Bus Rapid Transit line under construction on Alum Rock Avenue have been in your face, as it were. Vehicle and pedestrian obstacle courses blighting the route were tolerable when completion was expected this fall, but now it’s been pushed back to 2017. Merchants are hurting. And fuming.

Like the county at VMC, VTA has dumped its contractor, though in less acrimonious and probably less expensive fashion.

The whole thing is a shame because VTA generally handles construction well. The BART line to Berryessa under construction now is under budget and ahead of schedule. Past tax measure dollars have been efficiently spent.

After years of budget-shortfall neglect, the need for a new tax is huge just to bring current roads and transit systems up to acceptable standards — let alone to build for the future with BART to downtown San Jose. The region needs this work done.

To show that the BRT line is an anomaly, VTA needs to make it clear why what went wrong on Alum Rock will not be the new norm.

This was VTA’s first venture with BRT, a less costly alternative to light rail using modern buses on separated lanes to whisk riders from Eastridge Mall to Alum Rock and downtown. The agency hoped to continue BRT up El Camino Real to Palo Alto. That’s controversial for lots of reasons, but the prolonged disruption of businesses, punctured gas lines and other Alum Rock boondoggles won’t help convince the doubters.

Alum Rock’s restaurants and other small businesses mostly supported the project and were prepared for some disruption. But not this long. Fortunately, Mayor Sam Liccardo pushed VTA for financial aid of up to $50,000. Businesses can sue if they think they’re owed more and it’s worth the legal costs.

We hope all of them survive to enjoy the benefits of the plan. And we hope VTA can quell doubts before voters have to decide on a new tax.

The need for a transportation tax is huge just to bring roads and transit systems up to acceptable standards, let alone build for the future.