SMART Awarded $32M For Healdsburg Extension, Low-Emission Trains

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District has been awarded a $32 million grant in Federal Railroad Administration, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement funds, the agency announced Monday.

This grant marks a significant milestone in SMART's ongoing effort to extend passenger rail to Healdsburg and Cloverdale. The grant is comprised of two major components: $28 million for the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) Systems for SMART's 5.5-mile passenger and freight rail line between Windsor and Healdsburg and $4 million for the replacement of older, high-emission freight locomotives with lower emission, environmentally sustainable Tier IV freight switcher locomotives.

"SMART is a vital artery in our communities, connecting people and commerce throughout the North Bay," said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, whose support and advocacy for the project was instrumental in securing the grant award. "They have been a leader on innovative infrastructure improvements, like this project that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide a reliable public transportation alternative."

Enhancing Sustainable Transportation And Resiliency

To achieve climate resiliency and provide access to essential services such as education, employment, healthcare and housing, the North Bay must have a robust transportation system. The publicly owned rail line was originally built over a century ago and has proven to be a vital transportation asset for the region.

Soon, the SMART extensions northward to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale will unlock opportunities for people who live along the entire SMART corridor.

"This has been a long time in the making with a massive display of support community-wide—and I'm glad to have been able to assist by securing this latest grant," Huffman said. "This tranche of funding will help SMART extend its reach while keeping pace with a changing climate, better serving our region and the people who depend on its services."

Each component of this CRISI-funded project brings its own set of benefits. The PTC Systems will ensure enhanced safety and efficiency on the rail line, enabling the restoration and expansion of passenger and freight rail services. Replacing locomotives with environmentally friendly Tier IV models will reduce emissions and enhance the reliability of SMART's freight services.

This significant grant award represents a crucial step forward in SMART's mission to provide sustainable, accessible and efficient rail transportation for the communities it serves. SMART looks forward to the continued support of its partners and community stakeholders as it works diligently to make this project a reality, officials with the agency said Monday.

"This grant is a testament to the remarkable momentum we've achieved in our mission to secure the funding necessary for the Healdsburg rail extension," said Eric Lucan, SMART board chair. "The recent grants we've received are due in part to the expressions of incredible community support for the northern extensions through the application process. This milestone propels us closer to realizing our vision of a more accessible and sustainable North Bay, where SMART's services reach Windsor, Healdsburg and beyond."

Funding For SMART Northern Extensions

The extension to Windsor is fully funded, and SMART expects to resume construction on it this fall.

For the rail and path extension to Healdsburg, $106 million in grant funds have been secured —an estimated 65 percent of what is needed to complete the project.

Expanding the SMART railway northward will create hundreds of construction jobs and will strengthen housing, business and community infrastructure, the agency said.

SMART has proven to be a popular mode of transportation for commuters, students and leisure travelers, with some 15 percent of riders bringing bicycles aboard the train.

Extensions to Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale include elongating the bicycle and pedestrian pathway and connecting people to SMART passenger services for first- and last-mile transportation choices. When completed, the bicycle and pedestrian pathway—part of the Great Redwood Trail system—will connect communities from Marin to Humboldt County.

Additionally, a new second SMART station serving Petaluma will soon be under construction, along with 12 additional miles of multiuse pathway. The Petaluma North station is slated to be completed in early 2025.

READ MORE:

• SMART Launches On-Demand Shuttle Between Train Station, SoCo Airport
• State Allots $30M For SMART Windsor, Healdsburg Extensions
• SMART Secures Another $34M Toward Northern Extensions
• Ruling Puts SMART Back On Track To Construct Northern Extension
• Healdsburg SMART Bridge Could Get $13.6M: Infrastructure Bill
• SMART Healdsburg Extension: $1.8M Federal Funds Allotted
• SMART To Fund 2nd Petaluma Station With Real Estate Deal
• SMART Marks 5th Anniversary Of Startup Of Passenger Service