SMART Directors Meet to Discuss How to Trim $88 Million From Expenses

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District's board of directors reviewed 10 ways to cut $88 million from the cost of the commuter train and bike path between Sonoma and Marin counties during a meeting Thursday afternoon.

The board is scheduled to vote April 20 on the proposals to reduce the project's cost in light of a projected $109 million revenue shortfall. Voters in both counties approved a quarter-cent sales tax in 2008 to pay for the $590 million, 70-mile rail line and pathway between Cloverdale and Larkspur starting in 2014.

Because of reduced sales tax revenue and an adverse bond market, the train will initially run 37 miles between Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa and the San Rafael Transit Center at a cost of $470 million. The line would be extended north and south if more revenue becomes available.

Reducing the proposed bike and pedestrian pathway's length by one-third to save $14 million is among the 10 cost-cutting options. Building the entire pathway would cost $42 million.

Members of both the Marin County and Sonoma County Bicycle coalitions told the board members this afternoon they accept that cut but want the directors to commit to building the remaining two-thirds of the pathway. About 30 members of the coalitions attended the meeting.

Other cost-cutting proposals include deferring replacement of the Novato Creek Bridge to save $5 million, rehabilitating instead of replacing the 100-year-old Haystack Bridge in Petaluma to save $15 million, and deferring the construction of the Atherton train station in Novato to save $5.3 million.

Reducing the size of the proposed operations and maintenance facility will save $15 million; deferring ticket vending machines and a fiber optic communications system will save $8.8 million; and deferring the Corona Road station in Petaluma will save $11.5 million.

Novato Councilwoman and SMART board member Carole Dillon-Knutson
said deferring the building of the Atherton station means 500 riders working
for three major employers in Novato would not use the train.

Marin County Supervisor and SMART Director Judy Arnold said deferring replacement of the Novato Creek Bridge would jeopardize public safety because debris trapped at the bridge during heavy rain would cause water to cover the train tracks.

Sonoma County Supervisor and SMART board member Shirlee Zane said she wants SMART to still build the $29 million Guerneville Road station north of downtown Santa Rosa because 30,000 people attend schools or work at two of the county's top three employers in that area.

Petaluma Mayor David Glass told the board the city wants the operations and maintenance facility built in Petaluma. It is scheduled to be built near Todd Road south of Santa Rosa. SMART interim General Manager David Heath said the Santa Rosa to San Rafael project would generate 9,600 direct and indirect jobs.

Board members agreed with a Citizens' Oversight Committee's recommendation to make sure cost reductions do not reduce ridership.

-Bay City News