State Awards SMART $1.45M For Freight Rail Improvements

NORTH BAY, CA — Repairs to the Black Point Rail Bridge over the Petaluma River are among freight rail projects the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit will be able to complete with funding from the California Transportation Commission.

SMART's request for $1.45 million from the state commission was approved Thursday and will help fund a $2.9 million freight rail investment package from the State's Short Line Railroad Improvement Program, which supports investments in smaller freight railroad systems.

"This is great news for the North Bay and exactly why we’ve pushed so hard to get freight rail into public hands with our landmark Great Redwood Trail project," said state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). "This $1.5 million down payment will be put to work connecting rail to businesses along the SMART line to help bolster freight rail activity in Marin and Sonoma counties."

The state funds will be matched with local private investment to repair the Black Point Rail Bridge over the Petaluma River and to construct modern freight rail spurs — secondary tracks for loading or unloading of freight that do not interfere with other railroad operations— complete with FAA-required system improvements.

According to SMART, the state funds will help transition the movement of goods off of highways and onto railroads, which cuts down on congestion impacts, improves traffic safety and reduces greenhouse gases.

The state's investment, according to SMART, supports its efforts to combat climate change while transitioning to a more environmentally friendly transportation system and reflects a commitment to supporting SMART in its new role facilitating freight rail transportation.

David Rabbitt, SMART chair of the Board of Directors, welcomed another great public-private partnership to enhance businesses in North Bay while combating climate change and reducing congestion on local roadways.

According to SMART, no resources will be diverted from the passenger rail or pathway systems while these improvements are being made.

Deb Fudge, SMART long time board member and Windsor Council member where some of these projects could take place, said: "I am ecstatic that we are providing our businesses with a great opportunity to use our Railroad right-of-way to increase their business in a more efficient and environmentally sound way."