The VTA has offered cash payments to businesses hurt by construction delays on a rapid bus line running through San Jose's Alum Rock corridor.

The VTA apologized for behind-schedule construction that has blighted Little Portugal and put scores of businesses at risk of going under.

The VTA will dump a contractor after permitting issues and a busted gas line put a major project behind schedule and over budget.

Five weeks after contractors hit a gas line, it’s unclear when work will resume on a bus route connecting East Side to downtown.