Calif.'s SMART commuter rail lands $22.5M Capital Investment Grant
The project will provide an important connection for North Bay residents to access regional ferry service serving downtown San Francisco and destinations throughout the Bay Area.
The project is a 2.1-mile extension to SMART’s existing 43-mile commuter rail line. The extension will run from downtown San Rafael to the Golden Gate Transit Larkspur Ferry terminal in Marin County, providing an alternative to travel on U.S. Highway 101.
SMART
1 min to read
The project is a 2.1-mile extension to SMART’s existing 43-mile commuter rail line. The extension will run from downtown San Rafael to the Golden Gate Transit Larkspur Ferry terminal in Marin County, providing an alternative to travel on U.S. Highway 101.
SMART
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the award of a $22.5 million grant to Calif.’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) for the San Rafael to Larkspur commuter rail extension. The project will provide an important connection for North Bay residents to access regional ferry service serving downtown San Francisco and destinations throughout the Bay Area.
"This grant will improve transportation links for the hundreds of thousands of commuters traveling in the Bay Area every day," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
Ad Loading...
The project is a 2.1-mile extension to SMART’s existing 43-mile commuter rail line. The extension will run from downtown San Rafael to the Golden Gate Transit Larkspur Ferry terminal in Marin County, providing an alternative to travel on U.S. Highway 101.
"This project will provide an important multi-modal connection to transit services for those trying to reach their jobs, schools, and homes," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "FTA is committed to modernizing these connections to improve safety and reliability for all users."
SMART will receive $22.53 million through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. The CIG Program provides funding for major transit capital infrastructure investments nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for and receive program funds.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
