September 22, 2025
SMART Board Awards Construction Contract to Build the Healdsburg Rail Extension
Originally issued by Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART)
The SMART Board of Directors awarded the construction contract for the long-anticipated extension of the SMART rail line to Healdsburg. The Board approved a contract with Stacy Witbeck/Herzog (SWH), A Joint Venture, to deliver the Healdsburg Extension through a Progressive Design-Build approach, which integrates design and construction to accelerate delivery.
The project will construct nine miles of new track from Windsor to Healdsburg and deliver a new SMART station in the heart of Healdsburg, reconnecting the city to regional rail service for the first time in decades. It will also extend the SMART multiuse pathway alongside the rail corridor, creating a safe and seamless link for people walking and bicycling. In addition, the project includes critical safety and infrastructure upgrades, such as improved grade crossings, the replacement and rehabilitation of aging bridges, and the installation of modern train control, signaling, and communications systems. These improvements will transform how people move throughout the North Bay, reducing congestion on Highway 101, improving access to jobs and services, and providing residents and visitors an eco-friendly and reliable way to travel.
As General Contractor and Progressive Design-Build Project Lead, SWH will oversee the management of the Design-Build Team and self-perform rail installation, stations, bridges, street crossings, and utility construction. The Design-Build Team members include GHD to lead all design and engineering services, including managing design subcontractors, to complete 100% of the engineering design and Modern Railway Systems (MRS) to lead the rail signaling and communication systems scopes as an integrated member of the design and execution team alongside GHD and their subcontractors. Supporting team members include RailPros, C&P, Stantec, PARIKH, RSE, and Pacific Railway (PRE).
Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and is anticipated to be complete by late 2028.
Read the original press release from SMART.
