Passenger Trains > SMART receives $21M in state funding for Windsor extension

April 26, 2018

SMART receives $21 million in state funding for extension to Windsor

> The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District received $ 21
> million in state transportation funds to construct the extension to
> Windsor. This grant, coupled with the proposed $40 million in
> funding from Regional Measure 3 (RM3), will allow SMART to
> complete the first of three northern Sonoma County extensions.
> State Sen. Mike McGuire said, “The State couldn ’t be more excited to
> make this latest investment in SMART, and to soon connect the
> residents of Windsor and northern Sonoma County with this fantastic
> service. We have been grateful to work with Chairwoman Fudge and the
> SMART Board on the proposal, and we are so appreciative to
> the Department of Transportation for their ongoing partnership.”
> “This is a big day for SMART and for the Town of
> Windsor,” said SMART Board Chairwoman Debora Fudge. “ We want to
> thank the California Secretary of Transportation and his staff, and
> our state legislators for funding this important connection for our
> n orth county residents. It is now essential that we all vote
> to approve Regional Measure 3 in the June election , which
> will fully fund the extension from the Sonoma County Airport Station
> to the heart of Windsor.” RM3, which goes before voters on June 5,
> would increase tolls on seven state-owned bridges over a period
> of several years. It would generate an estimated $4.5 billion in
> funding over a 25 - year period for public transportation, highway
> improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian pathways. Funding for SMART
> ’s Windsor extension is part of that funding plan. The funding will
> allow SMART to move forward with the next phase of construction
> on the Windsor extension.

> “This is an important step that moves us closer to completing our 70
> -mile vision , which includes expanding o ur SMART train service to
> Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale ,” said SMART Board Director
> Carol Russell. “This is a major milestone for all of our North Bay
> residents who have been waiting for a transportation option to
> northern Sonoma County.”

> Since launching its passenger service in August, SMART has carried
> more than 465 ,000 passengers. SMART’s passenger train service
> currently serves a 43 -mile corridor with stations in Santa
> Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato and San Rafael.
> Construction on the Larkspur extension is underway and is expected
> to be completed by the end of 2019.


-SMART news release