May 18, 2026

Breaking Ground on a More Connected North Bay with the Launch of the SMART Healdsburg Extension

A ceremony marking community momentum for the construction on nine miles of new track and new station

By Nick Slama, Project Manager

More than 1,000 people packed the Foley Family Pavilion on May 8, 2026 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the SMART Healdsburg Rail Extension, as local and project team leadership drove railroad spikes into steel rails on a model railroad.

Local supporters said the extension will reshape mobility and tourism across Sonoma and Marin counties. Elected officials called the rail extension a lifeline for older residents and a great opportunity for housing and economic development, and North Bay District 2 Representative Jared Huffman set the tone by saying, "Healdsburg is ready for this. We're doing something for the future." 

Pictured: North Bay District 2 Representative Jared Huffman

The event also reflected SMART's growing momentum. The agency carried nearly 134,000 passengers in April 2026, the highest in its history, with average weekday ridership up 30 percent compared to 2025.  

About the Project

The Healdsburg Extension will construct nine miles of new track from Windsor to Healdsburg, along with a new SMART station in the heart of the city. The project also extends the SMART multiuse pathway alongside the rail corridor, creating a safe, connected route for people walking and bicycling. 

When this line opens, a passenger in Healdsburg will be able to board a SMART train and arrive in Larkspur with a connection to San Francisco. The project will reduce congestion on Highway 101, expand access to jobs and services across the North Bay, and provide a reliable way to travel.  

The team began initial field work on March 30, 2026, and passenger service is targeted for late 2028.

Pictured from left to right: Mike Sander, Don Feht, Nader Hassoun, Shahrzad Ghorbannia, Jim Prior

Read the September 22, 2025 Construction Contract Announcement