SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Federal, state and local transit officials say the long-awaited construction to extend Bay Area Rapid Transit service to San Jose will begin next month.

Transportation leaders this week signed final documents pledging $900 million in federal funds for the $2.3 billion Berryessa extension, scheduled to open in 2016.

The money will fund a 10-mi. BART link from Fremont to San Jose’s Berryessa district.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority CEO Michael Burns called the occasion a celebration as he signed the documents along with Federal Transit Administration deputy administrator Therese McMillan at City Hall.

Groundbreaking is set for April 12.

Officials are now eyeing a proposed $4 billion extension that would connect an underground link from downtown San Jose to a street level link in Santa Clara.

Burns said he’s optimistic as Santa Clara County voters have already approved two sales tax increases for BART.

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