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.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.