SMART receives $7M to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity with new pathway segment

Petaluma, CA— The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $7M grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. This funding will support the completion of a vital segment of the SMART Pathway, a Class I multiuse facility that enhances mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians throughout Sonoma and Marin counties.

The grant will fund the completion of the SMART Pathway segment from Santa Rosa to the Sonoma County Airport, closing a 4.73-mile gap in the pathway network. Construction of this pathway segment completes 21 miles of the Class I multiuse pathway connecting communities from the Town of Windsor to the City of Petaluma.

SMART Pathway/Great Redwood Trail
The SMART Pathway is the southern portion of the Great Redwood Trail, which provides first and last-mile connections to SMART stations and offers a safe way to travel along the rail corridor, particularly in areas where the SMART Pathway is the shortest path of travel between communities. The pathway allows cyclists of all abilities to make local trips or longer journeys by bicycle or by bicycle in combination with the train.

In the past year, over 784,200 pedestrian and bicycle trips were completed utilizing the pathway to access the train, for recreation, commuting to work and school, and for trip purposes of all types. Over 28 miles of SMART pathway have been completed for residents to utilize, and 9.5 miles are currently under construction.

Project Features
Increased Connectivity: The new segment will allow people to travel seamlessly between communities and SMART rail stations, providing an important link for commuters, students, and recreational users alike.

Access to Opportunity: By providing a high-quality, protected route for walking and biking, the pathway will enhance access to jobs, schools, transit, and recreational opportunities, and promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Class I Multiuse Pathway: As a Class I facility, the pathway is completely separated from motor vehicle traffic, offering a dedicated space for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel safely and efficiently across the region.
 

"SMART is working hard to implement our voters’ vision of a complete rail and pathway network. This new segment will greatly benefit the residents and businesses of Marin and Sonoma counties, making it more accessible to commute and travel for recreation by bicycle and train," said SMART Board member and Sonoma County Supervisor Chris Coursey. "It’s exactly this kind of improvement to the corridor our voters envisioned and that SMART is working to deliver.”

“From children crossing busy intersections to commuters driving to and from work, Californians depend on roadway safety improvements to prevent fatal vehicle collisions,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, SMART has secured an additional $7 million in federal funding to make our streets and roadways safer for the millions of pedestrians, bicyclists, and commuters who rely on them every day. This funding is critical to support the completion of the SMART Pathway that will ultimately help save lives and curb serious injuries across communities in Sonoma and Marin counties.”

“SMART provides top-notch, green transportation for the North Bay. These federal resources will close a critical gap in the multiuse pathway network, helping cyclists and pedestrians safely make their journeys,” said U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman. “Completing this segment will create even greater system safety and utility with options for local and longer trips for this climate-friendly travel choice.”

“Making strategic federal investments into SMART is creating more value across the entire corridor and North Bay Area. As an example, being able to walk or bike on this pathway to get on a SMART train traveling to the Cotati station means students can attend Sonoma State University without having to buy a car,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson. “This regional connectivity means greater access to opportunity for all our communities.”

“Once again, the SMART Train and the Great Redwood Trail (GRT) are on the move! With funding now in hand to match the State of California’s $6 million investment, construction will start summer of 2025 to close a large gap in the GRT from Santa Rosa to the Sonoma County Airport. And it gets better—SMART has already kicked off construction of critical Trail segments earlier this year. When all is said and done, a new 21-mile corridor of the world-class Great Redwood Trail will be complete in Sonoma County. This is big flippin’ news! As always, I’m impressed by SMART’s forward-thinking leadership, and grateful to our federal and local partners for working together to keep this project moving forward!” said State Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire.

Find more information about the SMART Pathway/Great Redwood Trail, including an interactive map of the pathway network online.

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