California Construction News staff writer
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system marked a major milestone Friday with a celebration of its Healdsburg Extension Project, held at the Foley Family Community Pavilion, as the commuter rail line moves closer to expanding service into northern Sonoma County by late 2028.
Design work and early construction activities are already underway on the project, which will extend the SMART rail corridor by roughly nine miles, add a new Healdsburg station, and expand the system’s multi-use pathway for cycling and pedestrian travel along the rail right-of-way.
The extension is supported by a mix of federal, state, regional and local funding sources, reflecting broad backing for expanded sustainable transportation options and improved regional connectivity in the North Bay.
In 2024, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) endorsed SMART’s application for $81 million through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and nominated an additional $62 million through the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program. The project also includes $40 million allocated through Regional Measure 3, administered by MTC’s Bay Area Toll Authority.
“At MTC, we think about transportation as a network — and the reality is, the network is stronger when it’s complete,” said Stephanie Moulton-Peters, vice-chair of MTC and Marin County supervisor. “That’s why projects like the Healdsburg Extension and SMART’s arrival to northern Sonoma County matter so much.”
She added that completing the corridor would strengthen connectivity across Marin, Sonoma and the wider Bay Area, improving access to the North Coast region.
Sonoma County representative and MTC commissioner Victoria Fleming also attended the event.
The project includes critical infrastructure upgrades along the corridor, such as improved grade crossings, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, upgraded signalling systems, and modernized safety features.
In addition to rail service expansion, the project will extend the SMART Pathway, part of the broader Great Redwood Trail vision, creating new opportunities for active transportation alongside the rail line.
Once complete, the extension will allow passengers to travel directly from Healdsburg south to Larkspur, where connections to ferry service provide access to San Francisco and beyond, further integrating Sonoma County into the regional transit network.
