$32M allocated for trains, extension to Healdsburg
The Biden administration announced a $32 million allocation to SMART this week for its planned passenger rail extension from Windsor to Healdsburg and to purchase lower-emission freight trains.
The Federal Railroad Administration funding was secured through the Department of Transportation's annual spending legislation at the request of Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat from San Rafael.
“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,” Huffman wrote in a statement.
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, which started passenger service in 2017, runs trains 45 miles between Larkspur and the Santa Rosa Airport. The agency's goal is a 70-mile rail route and pedestrian path to Cloverdale with train stops at Healdsburg and Windsor.
The estimated $70 million Windsor extension project has been fully funded since receiving state grant funds this summer. The project is already 30% complete and is estimated to be finished in 2025.
With the new federal allotment, the 5.5-mile extension from Windsor to Healdsburg is about 65%
funded, with approximately $106 million secured for the estimated $160.5 million project, according to SMART spokesperson Julia Gonzalez.
The allocation will allow the transit agency to begin designing the Healdsburg extension and fully fund a planned reconstruction of the Healdsburg Rail Bridge over the Russian River that will include a pedestrian path.
Eddy Cumins, SMART's general manager, said the latest funding award shows that state and federal governments have confidence in the agency's performance and ability to deliver on the projects.
“I just feel like we're doing really well right now and this just kind