Overview

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) district is progressing with plans to reintroduce passenger rail service to Healdsburg after a nearly 70-year hiatus. This initiative has sparked a petition from local business owners concerned about the impact on the Russian River.

The proposed $269 million project includes a nine-mile rail extension from Windsor to Healdsburg, featuring a new downtown station and infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing connectivity and reducing traffic congestion.

Key details

  • The rail extension will cover nine miles, connecting Windsor to Healdsburg.
  • A new downtown station is planned to attract visitors to a less frequented area of town.
  • Infrastructure improvements will include upgrades to water, sewer, and electrical systems.
  • SMART aims to alleviate congestion on Highway 101 and lower emissions.
  • Travel time to San Francisco is projected to be around 90 minutes with a ferry connection from Larkspur.
  • Construction is expected to begin in phases, with passenger service targeted for late 2028.
  • Early fieldwork has commenced, including soil testing and utility mapping along the rail corridor.
  • The existing railroad bridge over the Russian River, built in the 1870s, is deemed too deteriorated to retrofit.
  • Plans include dismantling the old bridge and constructing a new one off-site during a seasonal window.
  • Environmental reviews for the project have been completed and approved by relevant agencies.
  • SMART has engaged with local business owners regarding their concerns about the project.
  • More than 200 petition signatures have been collected by local business owners opposing the current plans.

Context

The Healdsburg rail project is seen as a significant development for local tourism and transportation, but it faces opposition from business owners who fear that the construction and changes will negatively affect river recreation.

What happens next

SMART will continue to communicate with local stakeholders and plans to provide more detailed information about construction sequencing as it becomes available. A key vote by the SMART board is anticipated in June.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific timeline for construction phases and the exact impact on local river recreation are not confirmed.