MTC approves $33.1 million in regional funds for SMART

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the San Francisco area approved $33.1 million in regional funds for California's Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit. "Today's action by the Commission validates our financial plan and completes the funding for the initial operating segment of the SMART rail and pathway project," said SMART Chair and Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown. "We are moving forward to make the train and pathway a reality. We will soon approve our first construction contract, which will create approximately 900 jobs by the end of the year alone." The SMART initial operating segment, between Railroad Square in Santa Rosa and downtown San Rafael, is the first phase of a project that will create a new North Bay "backbone" to complement existing transit options in a way that also combats congestion and pollution. SMART will create enormous public benefit by bringing people to jobs, businesses and recreation and bringing ongoing economic benefits to the communities it serves.