SMART announces over $13 million for major transportation improvements in Petaluma

Credit: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) and the City of Petaluma have announced that they will receive more than $13 million in grant funds from the California State Transportation Agency’s State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

These grant funds will support the following transit projects:

• SMART – Petaluma North infill station and North McDowell Blvd. crossing upgrades at a value of $10,100,000
• Petaluma Transit – Bus Fleet Replacement and Electrification at a value of $1,728,000
• Petaluma Transit – Transit Facility Improvements (Electrification) – Phase 2 at a value of $1,728,000
• Petaluma Transit – Bus Stop Improvements at a value of $940,000.

This grant is a part of a larger tranche of funds awarded to Sonoma County Transportation Authority with Petaluma Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, SMART and Mendocino Transit Authority receiving project specific allocations.

“These grant dollars will have a transformative impact in the coming years for SMART and the City of Petaluma. With the SMART Petaluma North station and 4.4 miles of new SMART Pathway from Main St. in Penngrove to Lakeville St. near Downtown Petaluma, the city will see greatly enhanced transportation options,” said SMART Board of Directors Chair David Rabbitt. “We are grateful for the State of California’s support, and we are thrilled to begin building Petaluma’s transportation network of the future.”

“This marks a significant milestone that Petalumans have been waiting for since the inception of SMART service in Sonoma County,” said Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett. “Not only will this funding deliver our east side station but will substantially bolster our transit fleet electrification efforts helping us reach our 2030 climate neutrality goal. This successful regional partnership delivers for our community, our region and our future.”