Construction and Maintenance Updates
Railway construction – Town of Windsor Station
JUNE 29, 2024
Pathway construction – Southpoint Boulevard, Petaluma to Main Street, Penngrove and Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park to Bellevue Avenue, Santa Rosa
June 28, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy & Witbeck/Ghilotti Brothers, Inc. has begun constructing two pathway segments located at Southpoint Boulevard, Petaluma to Main Street, Penngrove and Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park to Bellevue Avenue, Santa Rosa.
Activities will include the installation of orange snow fencing, clearing vegetation, grading, installation of drainage culverts, and paving pathways.
Work hours are generally 7 AM—7 PM. Construction activities and equipment will produce some dust and noise. Expect the beeping sound of vehicles backing up and construction lights at night.
Completion of this pathway segment is expected in December 2024.
Safety is our first priority. We work hard to maximize safety during construction. Please do your part and stay clear of all construction equipment and activities.
Railway construction – Town of Windsor Station
JUne 24, 2024
Construction of the Windsor extension is in full swing. SMART’s contractor Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. is currently preparing the subgrade and beginning to place ballast along the rail corridor between Airport Blvd. and the Town of Windsor. Once the ballast is installed on the subgrade, construction of the railroad tracks will begin.
Now is the time to begin thinking about railroad safety. For your safety, it’s critical to stay away from construction activity along the railroad corridor and to choose a new path of travel.
In partnership with the Town of Windsor, SMART is installing a pedestrian undercrossing approximately 750 feet south of the roundabout at Windsor River Road. This will be a designated railroad crossing for the surrounding neighborhood.
When railroad construction is completed, trains will begin to operate on the tracks. There will be a period of several months when the train control and railroad safety systems will be tested through repeated train movements.
When you begin to see trains on the tracks, it will be imperative to walk or ride your bike on the SMART multiuse pathway and to ONLY cross the tracks are designated railroad crossing.
Now is the time to talk to young children at home about rail safety and how to navigate through the community following these rail safety tips:
- Only cross the tracks at designated railroad crossings.
- Always wait for the bells and lights to stop and the gate to rise before crossing the tracks.
- Stay alert around trains and tracks. Don’t be distracted by cell phones or headphones.
- Never walk on or along the railroad tracks; it is dangerous and illegal.
- Never stop your car on the railroad tracks.
- Approach all crossings carefully and be prepared to stop behind the crossing gates when the crossing signals are activated.
- Flashing lights and bells at crossings will activate before the gate arm comes down to give motorists enough time to safely clear the intersection.
- Don’t risk it. Never cross the tracks until you are sure you have enough room to make it safely through to the other side.
- Bicycle wheels can get caught between the rail and roadway: Cross at a 90-degree angle. If that is not possible, walk, don’t ride, across the tracks.
- See tracks, think train!
The timing of all construction activities is weather-dependent. Signup to receive periodic updates about the construction of the rail extension to the Town of Windsor.
Railway construction – Petaluma North Station
May 17, 2024
Night work to complete trackwork on the new railroad crossing at North McDowell Blvd. is scheduled for Friday, May 17, starting at 10:00 PM and continuing until approximately3:00 AM. Related construction activities and equipment will produce some dust and noise. Expect the beeping sound of vehicles backing up and construction lights at night.
The timing of all construction activities is weather-dependent. Signup to receive periodic updates about the construction of the Petaluma North Station.
April 17, 2024
Night work to complete welding of the new railroad crossing at North McDowell Blvd. and the installation of signal conduit is scheduled for Friday, April 19, starting at 10:00 PM and continuing until approximately 5:00 AM. Related construction activities and equipment will produce some dust and noise. Expect the beeping sound of vehicles backing up and construction lights at night.
The timing of all construction activities is weather-dependent. Signup to receive periodic updates about the construction of the Petaluma North Station.
APRIL 8, 2024
As a part of the reconstruction of the railroad crossing, North McDowell Blvd. will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning Friday, April 12 at 10:00 PM and will be closed through Monday, April 15 at approximately 5:00 AM. Local residents and businesses will continue to have access during the road closure. A detour will be in place (see detour map):
The timing of all construction activities is weather-dependent. Signup to receive periodic updates about the construction of the Petaluma North Station.
April 3, 2024
Night work to complete welding of the Gauntlet Track at the Petaluma North Station is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, and Friday, April 5, starting at 10:00 PM and continuing until approximately 3:00 AM. These construction activities and equipment will produce some dust and noise. Expect the beeping sound of vehicles backing up and construction lights at night.
march 20, 2024
Planned night work to install the Gauntlet Track at the Petaluma North Station is scheduled for Friday, March 22, starting at 10:00 PM through Sunday, March 24. Construction activities and equipment will produce some dust and noise. Expect the beeping sound of vehicles backing up and construction lights at night.
A gauntlet track is a second set of tracks that allows freight trains to pass safely by SMART’s passenger platforms. SMART passenger trains approach stations close to the platforms. Freight trains are wider use a gauntlet for additional space as they travel past a station. Gauntlet tracks have been installed at all SMART stations north of Highway 37, where freight trains enter the mainline traveling north carrying freight materials to customers in Sonoma County.
February 7, 2024
Planned night work to complete platform excavation scheduled for Friday, February 9, has been postponed due to weather conditions. This work has been tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, February 15, and Friday, February 16.
February 2, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc./Ghilotti Bros., a joint venture (SW/GB), will perform night work to continue excavation for the Petaluma North Station platform on Friday, February 2, and will complete excavation work (also night work) on Friday, February 9. SW/GB will be welding 80-foot rail sections at the station site (Corona Rd.) from February 19 to February 22.
JANUARY 25, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc./Ghilotti Bros., a joint venture (SW/GB) has begun excavating work for the train station platform. SW/GB will be performing night work on February 2-3 (Friday and Saturday nights). Hours of work will be 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM. Safety is our first priority. We work hard to maximize safety during construction. Please do your part and stay clear of all construction equipment and activities.
December 21, 2023
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc./Ghilotti Bros., a joint venture (SW/GB) will begin mobilizing to construct the SMART Petaluma North Station in mid-January 2024. Construction on the station platform is anticipated to begin on January 26-27. Night work (after revenue service) will be required. Directional light will be utilized. Nearby residents can expect some noise.
Railway construction – Town of Windsor Station
The timing of all construction activities is weather-dependent. Signup to receive periodic updates about the construction of the rail extension to the Town of Windsor.
February 22, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc. (SWI)will pour concrete for the Town of Windsor station platform on Monday, February 26, starting at 8:00 AM and going until 2:00 PM. Parking will be restricted at the lot adjacent to the platform site.
February 2, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc. (SWI) will set girders and bridge decks at Windsor Creek on February 15-16. SWI will begin grading (performing earthwork) in preparation for constructing the railroad track and bicycle/pedestrian pathway between Aviation Blvd. and Shiloh Rd. from February 21 to March 6.
January 25, 2024
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc. (SWI) will begin excavation work on the train station platform on Friday, January 26. SWI will also begin grading work for the railroad tracks between Aviation Blvd. to Shiloh Rd. on February 5. Safety is our first priority. We work hard to maximize safety during construction. Please do your part and stay clear of all construction equipment and activities.
December 21, 2023
SMART contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc. will begin mobilizing to complete construction of the rail extension to the Town of Windsor in early January 2024. Earth work for the station platform is anticipated to start on January 2.