The Honorable Toks Omishakin
Secretary, California State Transportation Agency
915 Capitol Mall, Suite 350B
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: 2022 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Cycle 6 – Support for SMART Application Dear Secretary Omishakin,
On behalf of the City of Cotati, we are pleased to support Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District’s (SMART) request for Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) funds to complete the SMART Rail and Pathway Project.
SMART’s voter-funded 70-mile passenger rail and pathway project began operating revenue service five years ago while continuing to complete the construction of the remaining system. The SMART System connects Santa Rosa to surrounding communities and provides access to regional opportunities without car dependence. The SMART system has 45-miles and 12 stations of passenger rail construction completed, as well as 25 miles of pathway. The 13th and 14th stations, 3-miles of track and over 15 miles of pathway are under construction or have pending applications for construction funds from other sources. This request would complete the remaining 22 miles and 15th and 16th stations of the rail system.
The City of Cotati, located in central Sonoma County, adjacent to Sonoma State University is a small city committed to maintaining our roots in agriculture and music while meeting our housing and infrastructure needs within our existing urban limits. We promote the most environmentally friendly development possible as we strive to meet our housing needs. The fire, flood, and pandemic disasters our county experienced between 2017 and 2021 highlighted the need to create options for community essentials such as transportation choices, housing availability, freight transport, and broadband access. It has been a key goal of our county’s voters and municipalities for years complete SMART’s system to Cloverdale.
Completing the SMART Rail and Pathway system directly addresses these needs and supports Cotati’s residents and employers.
Cotati recognizes that to create the most effective rail network in the North Bay, it is critical to expand the SMART system to our neighbors to the north. The SMART Rail and Pathway system will create economic opportunity and access to needed services along the entire corridor, whether it is Cotati residents affordably accessing jobs in North County or Cloverdale residents accessing educational opportunities at Sonoma State University, we will all benefit. Completing SMART is an important step in building transportation resiliency for our community.
We thank you for your consideration of this TIRCP request to match our voters’ commitment to a healthier transportation future.
Sincerely,
Mark Landman
Mayor