Tunnel Boring Machine Naming Contest

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project is excited to announce the launch of its Official Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Naming Contest!

VTA is seeking a name for the TBM that reflects the spirit of the Project and honors a prominent female figure (or a representative name) from, or associated with, Santa Clara County or the many local communities that surround the project area. TBMs are traditionally given a female name to provide good luck to the project, and similar projects across the world have followed this practice. This tradition dates to the 14th century and is based on the patron saint of military engineers and miners, Saint Barbara, who stood as a symbol of protection and good luck for miners. Miners would name tunneling machines with a female name as a way to pay homage to her.

We invite you to submit your name for the official TBM naming contest, which will be open for six weeks starting Monday, March 18, 2024. All entries must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024.

The name should be a female name (or a representative name) that has significance to Santa Clara County. It can include descriptive adjectives that positively enhance the name (i.e., Mom Chung, Big Alma). The winner will receive a behind-the-scenes VIP tour for four individuals of the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project’s West Portal TBM construction launch site and more!  

Submit your entry today to our Tunnel Boring Machine naming contest and have your creativity leave a lasting mark on the future of the VTA BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project! 

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