By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal

Posted: 01/05/2012 12:19:35 PM PST


Work on the controversial Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit train could start as soon as Tuesday if the agency's board approves a construction contract when it meets Monday.

SMART officials made the announcement Thursday, saying they are poised to award a $103 million contract to Alameda-based Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog, a joint venture that will work on track, bridges, station platforms and grade crossings.

"This negotiated construction contract involves building 37 miles of track; repair, rehabilitation or replacement of 20 bridges; reconstruction of numerous crossings and station platforms," said Farhad Mansourian, SMART's general manager.

It is the struggling economy that limited sales taxes the SMART project relies on and caused it to be shortened from San Rafael to Santa Rosa, instead of from Larkspur to Cloverdale. But the same economy has made construction work hard to come by and allowed SMART to bargain and get a good deal on its first phase of work, rail officials said.

"The bid came in under budget and we are able to complete more work," said Marin Supervisor Judy Arnold, who also serves as vice chairwoman of the SMART board.

SMART officials had anticipated the cost of the initial work would be $107 million.

With the savings, SMART will be able to install a new bridge over Novato Creek. The old bridge was subject to flooding and officials were concerned heavy rains could affect train service. The extra cash also

will be used to extend the line 1.5 miles north, so it would reach the Guerneville Road station in Santa Rosa. Previously, the northern terminus was to be Railroad Square.

The addition of the Guerneville Road station will help the entire SMART system draw 82 percent of the 5,300 daily ridership that was projected for the Larkspur to Cloverdale route, officials said.

The southern terminus is downtown San Rafael, with other Marin stops at the Civic Center, Hamilton Field and Atherton Avenue.

The Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog team have worked on transit projects over the past 10 years. The group has experience working on commuter railroad projects for Caltrain, Portland's Tri-Met and the Utah Transit Authority. If all goes to plan SMART rail service could begin in 2015 or 2016, Mansourian said.

The SMART board will meet Monday in Santa Rosa to consider the bid from the construction team.

"Monday the board will approve the bid, with construction to start the next day," Mansourian said.