Testing Slated At Novato Downtown SMART Station

NOVATO, CA — The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit agency is slated to begin testing its railroad crossing warning equipment and train control systems Friday at the Novato Downtown SMART station.

The new station is at Grant and Railroad avenues. Service is expected to begin at the station by the end of the year.

Previous coverage: SMART Station To Open In Downtown Novato By End Of 2019

Testing is scheduled from 11 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Monday. Below is the testing schedule, according to SMART:

• 11 p.m. Friday - 1 p.m. Saturday: Testing of the railroad crossings (no trains) including occasional bells and lights flashing from Rush Creek Place to Franklin pedestrian crossing.
• 1-10 p.m. Saturday: Crossings testing including bells ringing, lights flashing and train horns at Olive, Grant/Railroad and Franklin pedestrian crossings.
• 10 p.m. Saturday - 2 a.m. Monday: Train control testing including bells ringing and lights flashing from Rush Creek Place to Hamilton pedestrian crossing.

During the testing, flaggers will be present at railroad crossings, according to SMART. Drivers are advised to slow down and be aware that crossing gates may be down.

A portion of the railroad between the Petaluma Downtown and Novato Hamilton stations will be closed Saturday and Sunday due to the testing.

Trains will operate on a modified service schedule between the Sonoma County Airport and Santa Rosa Downtown stations, and between the Novato Hamilton and San Rafael stations, according to SMART. A bus bridge will shuttle passengers between the Petaluma Downtown, Novato San Marin and Novato Hamilton stations.