SMART Commuter Rail

This was the construction of the initial 41-mile operating segment of the SMART commuter rail line serving Sonoma and Marin counties north of the Bay Area. We have continued expanding the line through multiple extensions, further connecting communities throughout the popular wine region.

Need 

The alignment was built on a historical rail route to provide a safe, reliable, and congestion-free transit option for residents and vistors of Sonoma and Marin counties. The system includes a robust bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the corridor, providing more ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Riders are able to access jobs, education centers, retail hubs, and housing along the corridor. All platforms and trains are fully ADA compliant to provide people with disabilities easier access to these vibrant communities. 

Work 

• Removal of existing track. 
• Construction of 240,000 lf of new track. 
• 113,000 concrete crossties. 
• 10 bridge replacements. 
• 16 bridge rehabilitations. 
• 48 public and 18 private grade crossings. 
• Over 100 culverts. 
• Eight station substructures.

Environmental Considerations 

The right-of-way passes through several environmentally sensitive areas, both biological and cultural, with much work immediately adjacent to wetlands. As such, all design and construction was coordinated to fit into the environmental work windows. Every bridge on the project was adjacent to or over environmentally sensitive waterways, with some subject to tidal influences.  

On the Novato Creek Bridge, the waterway needed to be dammed for crews to access the work area. Water-filled bladders were used to hold back the water and capture and relocate fish around the diversion. 

Meeting the Schedule 

Working along 30 miles of live track with 10-day windows for bridge replacement required innovative approaches. Bridges were constructed with precast concrete pile caps, abutments, and decks. The team also accelerated the design for the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of 26 timber and steel bridges, including multi-span bridges, to meet the aggressive design-build schedule. 

Eight of the full bridge replacements, some as long as 284 feet, needed to be done in 10 days. That included removing the existing bridge, driving piles, installing new precast bridge structures, and laying the rail. All work windows were successfully met, minimizing disruptions to the area. 

Awards

2017 American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9: Outstanding Rail and Transit Project

2017 North Bay Business Journal: Top Real Estate Projects in the North Bay – Transportation