Passenger Trains > SMART gets money needed for Healdsburg extension

[url=https://archive.ph/o/WwWtD/https://www.pressdemocrat.com/jeff-quackenbush/]JEFF QUACKENBUSH[/url]THE NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNALOctober 25, 2024

SMART is in line to get an $81 million state grant that would provide what’s needed to extend the rail line and its pedestrian and bike path from Windsor to Healdsburg.

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District’s project is among 27 awarded a total of $1.33 billion from its Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program Grant program intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the California State Transportation Authority announced Wednesday.

The grant from that fund would be matched by $188 million from other secured federal, state and regional sources, including two grants expected to be awarded in June 2025. If received as anticipated, that would bring the estimated $269 million project to full funding.

“This is such a huge victory for the residents of northern Sonoma County and builds off the State’s $40 million investment that is now being utilized to connect the Sonoma County Airport with the Town of Windsor,” state Senate Pro Tem McGuire, D-Healdsburg, said in a statement Thursday.

The Windsor-to-Healdsburg segment is set to start moving toward construction early next year, with completion scheduled for sometime in 2028. The project involves reconstructing 5.5 miles of track and adding a multimodal path, stretching from the station being constructed near the Windsor Depot at 9001 Windsor Ave. to a new station to be built near the historic Healdsburg Depot at 320 Hudson St. The railroad bridge over the Russian River also would be replaced.

This new funding comes as the extension of rail and pathway between the Sonoma County airport station and Windsor is set for completion early next year.
The Healdsburg segment funding would allow the work on the track and path to continue north of the station another 3.3 miles to the northern city limit, connecting the path to the Foss Creek Pathway.

This integrated approach is part of SMART's vision since voters approved the sales tax in 2008 to create a seamless multimodal transportation network from the ferry terminal in Larkspur north eventually to Cloverdale. The Healdsburg-to-Cloverdale segment does not currently have funding to move forward.

"When you think about the train, always think about the pathway," said SMART spokesperson Julia Gonzalez said. The agency and others have been participating in connecting path segments for the Great Redwood Trail stretching 320 miles to Humboldt.

Tallia Hart, CEO of the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the "game-changing" potential of the rail and trail expansion for city’s economy and community.
"It's a huge milestone for our region," she said, noting that the improved transportation access will expand the city's workforce pool and boost tourism.
Hart explained that only 15% of Healdsburg's workforce currently lives within the city, with many commuting from as far as Petaluma and Windsor. The SMART extension is expected to make the area more attractive for businesses seeking a larger talent pool.

Additionally, Hart anticipates increased interest from companies that previously struggled to attract the right employees to the region.

Beyond workforce development, Hart highlighted the extension's benefits for the local tourism industry, including new opportunities for unique bicycle experiences that leverage Healdsburg's scenic open spaces and proximity to the Russian River.

The extension is expected to have a significant impact on ridership, with the Windsor and Healdsburg stations anticipated to be highly utilized by both commuters and leisure travelers. Gonzalez noted that the initial modeling for the project showed strong demand, particularly for the connection to the Foss Creek Trail and the region's recreational attractions.

In addition to the rail extension, the rail agency has also been making strides with its SMART Connect electric shuttle*. The on-demand service currently connects the Sonoma County airport to the nearby station and the Larkspur station to the Golden Gate Ferry terminal, as well as to surrounding businesses. On weekends, with riders taking advantage of the door-to-door service to access nearby shopping and employment centers.

As SMART continues to expand its reach, the agency is also exploring opportunities to enhance its shuttle services, including the potential to offer seven-day-a-week service at the Larkspur station. Gonzalez acknowledged that this would require additional funding.

* The Larkspur shuttle is not electric.  It is a Ford van, dino-powered.

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/north-bay/sonoma-marin-area-rail-transit/?ref=home-A1toptextstories

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