California Construction News staff writer
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) has awarded a $21.7 million Phase One contract to Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog, a joint venture, to build the extension of the SMART rail line to Healdsburg. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and is expected to be complete by late 2028.
Construction will add about nine miles of new track from Windsor to the northern city limit of Healdsburg, including a new SMART station in downtown Healdsburg and an extension of the SMART multiuse pathway for pedestrians and cyclists. The project will also include safety and infrastructure upgrades such as improved grade crossings, bridge replacements and rehabilitation, and installation of modern train control, signaling, and communications systems.
The Phase One contract includes options to continue work north of Healdsburg if additional grant funds are secured, further advancing the voter-approved plan for a continuous rail and pathway network stretching from Larkspur to Cloverdale.
The project is being delivered through a Progressive Design-Build approach, integrating design and construction to accelerate delivery. SMART has secured $269 million in federal, state, regional and local grant funding to complete the northern extension, reflecting strong support for sustainable transportation in the North Bay.
“SMART has been steadily working toward completing the northern extensions of our rail system, and this milestone shows how far that commitment has taken us,” said SMART Board Chair Chris Coursey. “Moving into construction on the Healdsburg extension brings us another step closer to delivering the full vision of the SMART system for our communities.”
The arrival of passenger rail service in Healdsburg will reconnect the city to regional rail for the first time in decades and is expected to support local tourism and economic growth. The project will provide visitors direct access to the city’s restaurants, tasting rooms, boutiques, and lodging while creating a sustainable commuting option for residents.
“This project has involved a great deal of coordination and planning, and reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire SMART team,” said SMART General Manager Eddy Cumins.
