FRA awards $3 million toward SMART's PTC efforts

The Federal Railroad Administration has provided $3 million to implement positive train control (PTC) along a 2.1-mile extension of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system, California Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced last week.

The money will be used to make improvements to satisfy federal PTC requirements, according to a press release issued by Huffman's office.

The funds also will pay for installing enhanced automatic train control communications and control systems and integrating new grade crossing warning systems on the extension between downtown San Rafael and Larkspur, Calif.

SMART was established in 2003 to manage a publicly owned railroad right of way and develop passenger-rail service in Sonoma and Marin counties. Since 2012, SMART crews have been constructing a 43-mile locally funded commuter-rail line that is expected to begin service by the end of this year.

"This grant will continue our investment in the highest level of safety as we begin the design and implementation of our next phase to Larkspur," said Judy Arnod, chair of SMART.

The SMART system eventually will serve a 70-mile corridor running from Larkspur to Cloverdale, Calif.