Wine Country Times

The California Transportation Commission announced approval for a request by SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) for $1.45 million in funding for a $2.9 million total investment package meant to enhance rail transportation and logistics in areas with smaller or insufficient freight railroad systems. 

This investment will help to improve these areas and make them more friendly to commerce and other economic activities.

The larger goal of the program is to transition freight transport from highways and roads and instead put that burden on railroads. Rail transportation has many benefits, but many areas around the country do not have the sufficient rail infrastructure to support such a transition quite yet. In addition to being more efficient and affordable over time, moving freight to rail will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety on the roads and reduce the climate impact of transportation via vehicles. 

With the funds that were approved last week, SMART will be able to improve rail infrastructure in California and ensure that the state is able to reap all the benefits of using rail transportation. In addition to the funds being made available by the government, there will also be private investment in the project. 

“This is great news for the North Bay and exactly why we’ve pushed so hard to get freight rail into public hands with our landmark Great Redwood Trail project. This $1.5 million down payment will be put to work connecting rail to businesses along the SMART line to help bolster freight rail activity in Marin and Sonoma counties," Sen. Mike McGuire said.

California legislators appear to have been making this project a priority as part of their initiative to fight climate change in the state. The project has good public support and is generally looked at as being very positive for the state's population.