March 20, 2024

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project launched its Official Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Naming Contest this week, hoping to find a name that reflects the spirit of the Project and honors a prominent female figure from, or associated with, Santa Clara County or the project area communities. TBMs are traditionally given a female name to provide good luck to the project, and projects across the world have followed this practice.

The tradition dates to the 14th century, when miners would name tunneling machines with a female name as a way to pay homage to Saint Barbara, who stood as a symbol of protection and good luck for military engineers and miners.

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, or Big Alma).  The deadline to submit an entry is midnight on April 29th.

Besides bragging rights, the person who submits the winning name 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.

For official contest rules, or to submit an entry, go to this page.