Healdsburg Extension Project
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About the Project
SMART is extending its regional passenger rail and pathway system service northward from Windsor to Healdsburg.
The project will add roughly nine miles of track, construct a new SMART station in Healdsburg, and extend the SMART multi-use pathway for active transportation along the rail corridor.
Critical infrastructure upgrades—including improved grade crossings, bridge rehabilitation/replacement, modern signaling, and safety systems—are part of the project.
A design contract was awarded in 2025 and passenger service is planned to start by late 2028.
The extension is funded through a combination of federal, state, regional, and local grants, reflecting strong support for expanding sustainable transportation, reducing congestion, and enhancing regional connectivity.
Preliminary Project Schedule
Initial Field Work in Progress
SMART has begun initial field work for the Healdsburg Extension project.
One of the first activities will consist of geotechnical borings, which will use a drill rig to collect soil samples. These samples will help the project’s design team better understand existing soil conditions along the rail right-of-way.
The work began on Monday, March 30, 2026, and is anticipated to continue through May.
Geotechnical boring locations include:
- Old Redwood Highway
- Sargent Road
- Syar Quarry
- Healdsburg Station area
- Between Matheson Street and North Street
In addition to boring, SMART is also preparing to begin potholing work. Potholing is an excavation process that involves a vacuum truck to safely and accurately locate underground utilities. This process informs the design team of underground utilities and helps avoid costly delays to the project.
Potholing work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 27, 2026 and is expected to continue for several weeks.
Initial potholing will begin near Grove Street, then proceed from Old Redwood Highway north along the rail line.
All work for both actiivities will be conducted within SMART-owned property.
Residents and motorists may notice construction activity in these areas, including heavy equipment and flashing lights, and may experience some noise while work is in progress. Construction personnel will take measures to minimize noise and limit impacts as much as possible.
Traffic control measures will be in place as needed, and vehicles will be allowed to pass through as directed. Please use caution and follow the instructions of traffic control personnel.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take these important early steps toward extending SMART service to Healdsburg.
Renderings
Healdsburg station
Warren truss bridge
Through plate girder bridge
Old Redwood Highway overcrossing and Class I pathway
- The proposed new bridge includes a rail and pathway crossing of Old Redwood Highway. Roadway improvements at Old Redwood Highway are being developed in partnership with the local jurisdiction, the County of Sonoma.
Quiet Zones
Cities and counties can establish Quiet Zones, which are specific sections of a railroad where routine use of the train horn at grade crossings is prohibited, with certain exceptions.
In conjunction with SMART’s extension to Healdsburg, the Town of Windsor, the County of Sonoma and the City of Healdsburg plan on establishing a Quiet Zone between the Town of Windsor and Northern Healdsburg. This process involves the local jurisdictions working together with the Federal Railroad Administration to demonstrate that federally required safety criteria are met prior to establishing a Quiet Zone. To reach this point, the local jurisdictions, California Public Utilities Commission, Federal Railroad Administration, and SMART review each crossing. The local jurisdictions and regulatory staff confirm that the appropriate improvements—such as upgraded gates, warning devices, or features like roadway medians are in place to ensure that each crossing remains safe without the routine use of the train horn. Once all requirements are met, the Quiet Zone can be formally established by the local jurisdiction via Federal Railroad Administration approval.
Once approved and established, routine train horn use at designated crossings will be prohibited, except in emergency or safety-critical situations, such as emergencies, a vehicle stopped on the track, SMART maintenance personnel or a trespasser near the track, a grade crossing malfunction, such as a broken gate arm or equipment failure, during testing, and/or at the train engineer’s discretion.
Despite the establishment of a Quiet Zone, the public will hear the bell onboard the train at grade crossings and the bells at grade crossings.
Documents
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Tell us which trips matter most to you and what time of day you're most likely to ride. Your feedback will help us plan a schedule that best meets the needs of the Healdsburg community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
For questions regarding construction activities, please contact Allison Mattioli, Communications and Marketing Specialist, at amattioli@sonomamarintrain.org.
Email Updates
All construction updates will be available below once they are sent by email.