The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit board approved a $190.5 million construction contract on Oct. 21 to extend SMART north from Windsor to Healdsburg. Here's what we know.

Who is building it

The contract went to the joint venture Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog, KQED reported. The award came after the California Transportation Commission allocated $162 million in state grants for the extension the week before. Other money comes from federal, local and regional sources.

What's in the contract

  • Restoring the derelict track between Windsor and Healdsburg, nearly five miles, with concrete ties and a train control system.
  • Building two steel railroad bridges: a truss bridge over the Russian River and a girder bridge over Old Redwood Highway. Both will carry bikes and pedestrians.

Timeline

  • Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027.
  • Passenger service is planned for late 2028, according to SMART.
  • Geyserville and Cloverdale are the next planned stops after Healdsburg.

Where the station goes is still open

SMART is asking the public where the Healdsburg station should be. The two options are downtown or the historic depot area, KQED reported. SMART's project page says the extension also includes a new station, grade-crossing upgrades and more of the multi-use pathway along the rail line.