This page will be updated periodically with information about SMART construction. Please visit this page frequently. To report a construction related problem or to ask a question, call: 855-312-7444.

Safety is SMART’s highest priority and we are working hard to maximize safety during our construction phase. Please do your part by following detour instructions and staying clear of all construction equipment and activities. Download our Rail Construction Safety Flyer and share these important safety tips with your entire family!

At Grade Crossing Closure Updates
SMART is upgrading all of its at-grade crossings. Upgrade work includes replacing the existing old wood crossings with smooth concrete panels and new track where it crosses roadways.  People have already noticed that these improved crossings are providing immediate benefits.  The new crossings eliminate the old bumpy ride, and are safer and easier to navigate for wheelchairs, bicycles and cars.

Grade crossing upgrades require that the road be closed at the rail crossing the entire time. Generally, the daily work will start at around 7:00 AM and end around 6:00 PM.

Note: Dates and times are current estimates and are subject to change.

May 15, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – PETALUMA:

Roadwork – Adobe Road:
Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog will be resurfacing Lakeville Street between Payran and E. Washington Streets during the week of May 20.

Railroad Crossing Closure – Ceder Grove Park:
The railroad crossing at Cedar Grove Park will be closed on May 21and 22, from 6:00 AM on the 21st to 6:00 PM on the 22nd.

May 14, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – PENNGROVE:

Railroad Crossing Closure – Adobe Road:
The railroad crossing at Adobe Road will be closed for 12 hours beginning Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 AM, to smooth out the conforms at the rail crossing.

April 30, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – PETALUMA:

Railroad Crossing Closure – D Street:
Replacement of the railroad crossing at D Street will began at 6:00 AM, on Monday, April 29th and be completed at 7:00 AM, on or before Sunday, May 5th.

The road will be closed to all vehicular traffic at the railroad crossing.  Controlled pedestrian access will be available. There will be electronic message boards at the approaches to the crossing and detour signs showing alternate routes. Please use alternate routes when traveling through these areas.

Please note that there will be access to Hopper/Lakeville Street and all businesses will be open via a temporary road from eastbound D Street.

For more information or to report a problem, call the toll-free Project Construction Information Line: 855-312-7444.   Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the railroad and these crossings.

April 19, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – PETALUMA:

As we continue rebuilding the railroad tracks in preparation for passenger rail service, SMART contractor Stacy Witbeck/Herzog (SW/H) is continuing work on track construction and to upgrade railroad crossings. The following is a list of construction activities that will begin in Petaluma, on Monday, April 22:

Track Construction – Washington Street to D Street:
Reconstruction of the railroad track between Washington and D Streets will begin on Monday, April 22 and end on Friday April 26. Construction activities will require the closure of Southbound Right Lane on Lakeville Street between East D Street and East Washington Street. SMART’s contractor SW/H is coordinating with the City of Petaluma on the traffic control plan during construction, which includes traffic cones and signage to direct motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Railroad Crossing Closure – D Street:
Replacement of the railroad crossing at D Street will begin at 6:00 AM, on Monday, April 29th and be completed at 7:00 AM, on Sunday, May 5th.

The road will be closed to all vehicular traffic at the railroad crossing.  Controlled pedestrian access will be available. There will be electronic message boards at the approaches to the crossing and detour signs showing alternate routes. Please use alternate routes when traveling through these areas.

Please note that there will be access to Hopper/Lakeville Street businesses via a temporary road from eastbound D Street.

For more information or to report a problem, call the toll-free Project Construction Information Line: 855-312-7444.   Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the railroad and these crossings.

April 5, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:

There will be weekend construction work for four hours tomorrow (Saturday, April 6) in Santa Rosa. Track crews will be placing ballast on tracks from Guerneville Road to College Avenue.

April 2, 2013
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:

Construction work in Santa Rosa has been proceeding. The at-grade crossing work at 8th Street has been completed and work to rebuild track is proceeding towards Guerneville Road. In addition to rebuilding the track, construction of the Guerneville Road station platform has begun just south of Guerneville Road. See photo below.

Please note that the ONLY safe and legal place to cross tracks is at designated crossings. In this area, designated crossings are located Sebastopol Road, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets, College Avenue and Guerneville Road.

March 4, 2013
CONSTRUCTION AND CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Construction and at-grade crossing work has resumed in Santa Rosa. Please note that the 8th Street has been put back on the schedule. 8th Street will be closed from 7:00 AM March 11- 7:00 PM March 19. This crossing is being closed longer than usual, so SMART Contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog can perform needed underground utility upgrades for the City of Santa Rosa while the crossing is closed. There will be 24 hour light and mild generator noise due to the required pumping of sewage across the crossing while the underground utilities upgrades are being made.

Construction work will be proceeding from 3rd Street to Guerneville Road with the following tentative schedule:

6th-9th Streets – March 3-4
3rd-6th Streets – March 11-16
9th Street-College Avenue – March 18-23
College Avenue-Guerneville Road – March 26-April 6

Construction activities include track demolition and reconstruction, which will produce noise, and may produce minor ground vibration during daytime construction hours. Additionally, there will be truck activity within the corridor.

February 22, 2013
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

The railroad crossing on Lakeville St. between Petaluman Blvd. and Madison St. will be closed Sunday, February 24 and Monday February 25. Lakeville St. will close at 7:00 AM on Sunday and will reopen at 6:00 PM on Monday. This is work being done for the North Coast Rail Authority by SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog.

As noted before, this road will be closed to all vehicular traffic at the railroad crossing. Controlled pedestrian access will be available. There will be electronic message boards at each crossing and detour signs showing alternate routes. Please use alternate routes when traveling through this area.

February 21, 2013
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY BETWEEN SEBASTOPOL ROAD AND GUERNEVILLE ROAD:

There will be construction activity occurring between Sebastopol Road and Guerneville Road from February 21 and April 2013. Construction activities include track demolition and reconstruction, which will produce noise, and may produce minor ground vibration during daytime construction hours. Additionally, there will be truck activity within the corridor.

Please note that the ONLY safe and legal place to cross tracks is at designated crossings. In this area, designated crossings are located Sebastopol Road, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets, College Avenue and Guerneville Road.

Download our Construction Notification Flyer

February 13, 2013
CRANE ACTIVITY AT RAILROAD SQUARE:

There will be crane activity occurring all day on Friday, February 15, from approximately 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The crane is being used to demolish a monitoring well located under the future platform site. Currently, track demolition work is occurring at Railroad Square and platform construction work at Railroad Square has begun – SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog are digging the hole for the platform today.

January 30, 2013
VEGETATION REMOVAL:

SMART has performed brush clearing and tree trimming within the SMART right-of-way between Highway 37 and Smith Ranch Road in order to remove overgrown vegetation and prepare for construction work later this year.  In 2012, SMART was notified by the Novato Fire District that vegetation within SMART’s right-of-way between mile posts 21.0 and 25.5 was overgrown and should be cleared prior to the 2013 fire season.

January 11, 2013
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Recent meetings with the Cities of San Rafael and Novato, and the County of Marin to coordinate storm drainage and street improvements not originally a part of SMART’s at-grade crossing improvement plans have resulted in agreements to accommodate additional work desired by our local partners. Scheduling logistics for this work in combination with seasonal wet-weather­ will delay at-grade crossing improvement work in Novato and San Rafael.

SMART will distribute an advisory as soon as a new construction schedule of at-grade crossing work is determined for the following streets.

Novato:

• Olive  Avenue
• Grant Avenue
• Golden Gate Place
• Rush Creek Place

San Rafael:

• Smith Ranch Road
• Civic Center Drive

At-grade crossing work on College Avenue is proceeding as scheduled.

Santa Rosa:

• College Avenue –  1/11/13 (7:00 PM) to 1/13/13  (6:00 PM)

January 7, 2013
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Due to winter rainy weather – the previously stated dates for the crossing construction work have been changed to the following:

SANTA ROSA:
•    College Avenue –  1/11/13 (7:00 PM) to 1/13/13  (6:00 PM)

NOVATO:
•   Olive Avenue – 1/14/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/18/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Golden Gate Pl (private) – 1/19/13 (6:00 AM) to 1/20/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Grant Avenue –  1/22/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/25/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Rush Creek Pl  –  1/26/13 (5:00 PM) to 1/27/13 (6:00 PM)

San Rafael:
•   Smith Ranch Road – 1/28/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/31/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Civic Center Drive – 2/18/13 (7:00 AM) to 2/21/13 (6:00 PM)

December 17, 2012
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Construction work on at-grade crossings has resumed. This week, the 7th Street crossing in Santa Rosa is being replaced. Please note that the 8th Street has been taken off the schedule until design of the relocation of a water line and installation of a new sewer line for the City of Santa Rosa is completed. The 9th Street and College Avenue crossing replacement work remains on schedule.

After the new year, crossing work in Novato will begin – see schedule below.

SANTA ROSA:
•    College Avenue –  1/4/13 (7:00 PM) to 1/6/13  (6:00 PM)

NOVATO:
•   Olive Avenue – 1/7/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/10/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Grant Avenue –  1/14/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/17/13 (6:00 PM)

December 5, 2012
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Construction work on at-grade crossings has resumed. This week, the 7th Street crossing in Santa Rosa is being replaced. Please note that the 8th Street has been taken off the schedule until design of the relocation of a water line and installation of a new sewer line for the City of Santa Rosa is completed. The 9th Street and College Avenue crossing replacement work remains on schedule.

After the new year, crossing work in Novato will begin – see schedule below.

SANTA ROSA:
•    9th Street – 12/10/12 (7:00 AM) to 12/14/12 (6:00 PM)
•    College Avenue –  1/4/13 (7:00 PM) to 12/16/12  (6:00 PM)

NOVATO:
•   Olive Avenue – 1/8/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/11/13 (6:00 PM)
•   Grant Avenue –  1/15/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/18/13 (6:00 PM)

November 26, 2012
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Due to expected rain on Wednesday through Saturday of this week (week of 11-26-12), at-grade crossing construction work in Santa Rosa has been rescheduled:

SANTA ROSA:
•    7th Street – 12/3/12 (7:00 AM) to 12/7/12 (6:00 PM)
•    9th Street – 12/10/12 (7:00 AM) to 12/14/12 (6:00 PM)
•    College Avenue –  12/14/12 (7:00 PM) to 12/16/12  (6:00 PM)
•    8th Street – 1/7/13 (7:00 AM) to 1/18/13 (6:00 PM)

Please note that the 8th Street crossing closure is taking longer due to the
relocation of a water line and the installation of a new sewer line for the City of Santa Rosa.

November 13, 2012
CROSSING CLOSURES UPDATE:

Please note that the crossing closure dates for 7th, 9th, 8th Streets and College Avenue have been changed. The following is an UPDATED list of closure dates.

As noted before, these roads will be closed to all vehicular traffic at the railroad crossing. Controlled pedestrian access will be available. There will be electronic message boards at each crossing and detour signs showing alternate routes. Please use alternate routes when traveling through these areas.

SANTA ROSA:
•    7th Street – 11/27/12 (7:00 AM) to 11/30/12  (6:00 PM)
•    9th Street – 12/3/12 (7:00 AM) to 12/7/12 (6:00 PM)
•    8th Street – 12/11/12 (7:00 AM) to 12/21/12 (6:00 PM)

Please note that the 8th Street crossing closure is taking longer due to the
relocation of a water line and the installation of a new sewer line.
•    College Avenue –  11/14/12 (7:00 PM) to 12/16/12  (6:00 PM)

 

November 1, 2012
CROSSING CLOSURES:
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog is moving grade crossing construction activities into Santa Rosa.

The following is a list of crossings scheduled for upgrade by the end of year.  Dates may change subject to weather as we head into the rainy season.

• Guerneville Road  – Santa Rosa
  11/9 (Start 7:00 PM) to 11/11 (End 6:00 PM)
• 6th Street – Santa Rosa (tentative date)
  11/13 (Start 7:00 AM) to 11/16 (End 6:00 PM)
• College Avenue – Santa Rosa
  11/16 (Start 7:00 AM) to 11/18 (End 6:00 PM)
• 9th Street – Santa Rosa
  11/27 (Start 7:00 AM) to 11/30 (End 6:00 PM)
• 7th Street – Santa Rosa (date pending)
  12/4 (Start 7:00 AM) to 12/6 (End 6:00 PM)
• 8th Street – Santa Rosa (date pending)
  12/11 (Start 7:00 AM) to 12/21 (End 6:00 PM)
  Please note that the 8th Street crossing closure is taking longer due to the relocation of a water line and the installation of a new sewer line.

October  17, 2012
RAIL CONSTRUCTION – Upcoming Public Meetings:
SMART is conducting two public meetings to present information and to answer questions about rail construction activities that will begin on or after November 1.

The first meeting is going to be held at the Petaluma Community Center on Wednesday, October 24 at 7:00 PM. The Petaluma Community Center is located at 320 N. McDowell Blvd.

The second meeting will be held at the DeTurk Round Barn in Santa Rosa on Thursday, October 25 at 7:00 PM. The DeTurk Round Barn is located at 819 Donahue Street, Santa Rosa.

CROSSING CLOSURES:
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog is moving grade crossing construction activities into Santa Rosa. The 3rd Street crossing work is due to be completed by October 18.

Due to the reallocation of construction resources needed to complete rail construction work in time for the next shipment of rail by rail train, crossing work for 6th Street through Guerneville Road has been postponed and will begin after 11/6/12.

The following is a list of crossings scheduled for upgrade by the end of year.  Dates are tentative and may change subject to weather as we head into the rainy season.

• 3rd Street – Santa Rosa
  10/16 (Start 7:00 AM) to 10/18 (End 6:00 PM)
• 6th Street – Santa Rosa (tentative date)
  11/6 (Start 7:00 AM) to 10/8 (End 6:00 PM)
• Guerneville Road  – Santa Rosa (date pending)
• 9th Street – Santa Rosa (date pending)
• College Avenue – Santa Rosa (date pending)
• 7th Street – Santa Rosa (date pending)
• 8th Street – Santa Rosa (date pending)

October 2, 2012
We received a number of calls that the Corona Road crossing has a slight dip that becomes a bump at higher speeds. SMART’s contractor will be making modifications to the Corona Rd. crossing in the next few weeks to improve the smoothness of the crossing. Stay tuned – we’ll keep you posted about the timing of this work.

The Washington St. crossing closure in Petaluma started today. The primary detour will be Lakeville Hyw. to Petaluma Blvd. for west bound traffic and Petaluma Blvd. to Lakeville Hwy. for east bound traffic. West bound drivers may also turn left on Lakeville Hwy. and east bound drivers may access business on Washington St. up to the crossing itself.

September 18, 2012
Here are the latest on dates for crossing closures. Please note that there has been a date change for the Washington St.closure.

• McDowell Blvd. (Petaluma) (Repair only, the road will remain open)
  9/20 to 9/21
• Payran Street (Petaluma)
  9/25 (Start 7:00 AM) to 9/27 (End 6:00 PM)
• South Point Blvd. (Petaluma)
  9/22 (Start 9:00 PM) to 9/23 (End 7:00 PM)
• Washington Street (Petaluma)**
  10/2 (Start 7:00 AM) to 10/4 (End 6:00 PM)
• D Street (Petaluma) – Dates not yet set.
  ** tentative dates

September 13, 2012
There has been some date changes to the crossing closures. Please see McDowell Blvd., Payran St., and Washington St.

Grade crossing work includes replacing the existing old wood crossings with smooth concrete panels and new track where it crosses roadways.  People have already noticed that these improved crossings are providing immediate benefits.  The new crossings eliminate the old bumpy ride, and are safer and easier to navigate for wheelchairs, bicycles and cars.

• Ely Road (Penngrove) – 9/14 to 9/15 (Start 7:00 PM, End 8:00 PM)
• McDowell Blvd. (Petaluma) (Repair only; will remain open) –  9/20 to 9/21 (Start 6:00 AM)
• Payran Street (Petaluma) – 9/25 to 9/26 (Start 6:00 AM)**
• South Point Blvd. (Petaluma) –  9/22 to 9/23 (Start 9:00 PM)
• Washington Street (Petaluma) – 10/1 to 10/3 (Start 6:00 AM)**
• D Street (Petaluma) – Dates not yet set (Start 6:00 AM)**
  ** tentative dates

September 6, 2012
The crossings at Main Street and Ely Road in Penngrove are on schedule to be closed for construction this weekend and next. Payran Street, Washington Street and D Street closure dates are still tentative, so please stay tuned to this page for updates confirming closure dates.

• Main Street (Penngrove) – 9/7 to 9/8 (Start 9:00 PM, End 9:00 PM)
• Ely Road (Penngrove) – 9/14 to 9/15 (Start 7:00 PM, End 8:00 PM)

August 31, 2012
Here is an updated list of roads that will be closed for crossing upgrades:

• Corona Road – 9/11 to 9/13 (starts 6:00 AM)**
• Main Street (Penngrove) – 9/7 to 9/8 (Start 9:00 PM, End 9:00 PM)
• Ely Road (Penngrove) – 9/14 to 9/15 (Start 7:00 PM, End 8:00 PM)
• McDowel Blvd. (Petaluma) (Repair) –  9/17 (Start 6:00 AM)
• Payran Street (Petaluma) – 9/18 to 9/20 (Start 6:00 AM)**
• South Point Blvd. (Petaluma) –  9/22 to 9/23 (Start 9:00 PM)
• Washington Street (Petaluma) – 9/25 to 9/27 (Start 6:00 AM)**
• D Street (Petaluma) – 10/2 to 10/4 (Start 6:00 AM)**
  ** tentative dates

** These date may be subject to change. Please check back to confirm dates. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 855-312-7444 for more information.

August 1, 2012
The following roads will be closed to perform upgrades to the crossings:

• Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park (August 9-10)
• West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa (August 15-17)
• Todd Road, Santa Rosa (August 17-19)
• Scenic Avenue, Santa Rosa (August 21-23)

There will be alternate route information (detour) signs at each crossing. Please utilize alternate routes. Safety is very important to SMART. We will do our part to maximize safety – you can do your part by following detour instructions and staying clear of all construction equipment and activities.

July 23, 2012
There will be grade crossing closures at the following locations in the coming weeks:

• West Barham Avenue, Santa Rosa (July 25-27)
• Belleuve Avenue, Santa Rosa (July 30-August 1)
• East Cotati Avenue, Cotati (August 3-4)

July 12, 2012
Track demolition continues from Hearn Ave. through Bellevue Ave. (on to Todd Rd. next week). Earthwork and grading of the railroad bed has begun at Hearn Ave and will proceed to Bellevue this week and early next week.

Potholing is being done in San Rafael (Smith Ranch Rd. to the Civic Center) this week. Potholing is the process of locating and identifying underground utilities that are adjacent to or underneath the railroad tracks.

The next rail train will be arriving in about 4-6 weeks and will be unloading rail from Cotati to Petaluma and from Sebastopol Rd to Guerneville Rd in Santa Rosa.

Here is a photo of a grading machine performing earthwork.

July 6, 2012
The rail train arrived today and begun placing 1,600 foot sticks of rail along the existing railroad beginning at Sebastopol Rd in Santa Rosa to just a little south of East Cotati Blvd. Here is a photo of the rail car beginning to lay down the new rail.

Additionally, demolition of the existing rail will begin Saturday, July 7 just south of Hearn Ave. in Santa Rosa.

Please exercise caution by staying clear of the tracks, construction equipment and all construction activities.

May 17, 2012
Clean-up of the SMART corridor has begun around Barham and Hearn Avenues and will continue next week to Bellevue to Robles Avenues. Drainage work will follow the clean-up south of Hearn and Bellevue Avenues.

Concrete ties will arrive the week of May 28 and will be stock piled at Railroad Square at Santa Rosa.

The rail train will arrive and begin depositing rail along the corridor the week of June 18. Track work should begin the week of June 18 at Hearn Avenue and will progress southward to Todd Road.

The Petaluma yard will be set up the week of May 21. This includes putting up a fence to protect equipment and materials.

May 4, 2012
Equipment and materials are starting to arrive at Railroad Square.

April 24, 2012
The SMART Design-Build team is Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog. The first construction work will occur between Railroad Square in Downtown Santa Rosa and Todd Road. Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog will begin drainage repair work on May 14. Track reconstruction work is scheduled to begin on June 18. And the first shipment of rail ties is scheduled to arrive by train on May 14.