Tired of sitting in traffic along Highway 101? Looking for a green alterative to sitting in your car? Looking to create jobs in the North Bay to help stir our economy? There’s one place to look: SMART.

You asked for it and you voted for it. And we’re working hard to make it happen.

In 2008, almost 70% of the voters of Marin and Sonoma supported Measure Q to create a train that connects the two counties. Despite headwinds in the worst recession in 50 years, we’re still moving forward to make SMART a reality.

We’re not stopping until we’ve done what you asked us to do: create an energy-efficient, green alternative to sitting in traffic on Highway 101. Once SMART is operational, you’ll be able to ride the train along the tracks or ride next to the tracks on a new SMART bike path.

Today, energy-efficient, clean diesel trains have been ordered. The tracks, bridges, crossings and stations are being renovated, built and prepared. SMART’s Board of Directors recently awarded a $103 million construction contract that will create 1,000 jobs in 2012 and issued bonds to raise $171 million toward constructing Phase I: the route between North Santa Rosa and San Rafael. We’re also creating a SMART Connector bus to connect Cloverdale to Santa Rosa and San Rafael to Larkspur.

We’re excited and we want you to get excited with us. We’re investing in the future of the North Bay. With SMART, we can jump into the 21^st century by getting out of our cars – and riding a train or a bike.

SMART – There’s a Train Coming to Town