February 17, 2021
State grant money along with private matching funds are enabling SMART to plan freight operation upgrades. The Press Democrat reports that SMART has secured $2.9 million for the upgrades which will be used to takeover freight operations from the region’s lone hauler, Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company. $400,000 will go towards repairing the Black Point Bridge along the Lower Petaluma River as well as adding federally-mandated safety equipment enhancements. The remaining $2.59 million will go towards renovating a pair of freight spurs as well as adding a new spur in Windsor’s industrial area. These upgrades could begin as soon as this summer.