The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District has obtained an $81 million grant award from the state of California to extend passenger-rail service to communities in northern Sonoma County.
The funding comes from the Solutions for Congested Corridors (SCCP) and Local Partnership Competitive (LPPC) grant programs, and is being matched by $187.7 million in other secured federal, state, regional and local funds, according to a SMART press release.
In addition to the extension funds, the SCCP award includes an additional $6 million to acquire a zero-emission locomotive for the SMART railroad. With that award, SMART will bring environmentally friendly and modern rail service and pathway from the newly opened Windsor Station north through Healdsburg to the northern Healdsburg city limits, SMART officials said…