Politics & Government
Fresh Financials Expected Friday from SMART
SMART Chairwoman Valerie Brown told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat that the new figures will include unanticipated costs and revenues but will not derail the rail plan.
According to a report in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit officials will release new financial figures Friday that may cause a redesign of the plan and possibly delay the start of service between downtown Santa Rosa and downtown San Rafael.
The report is being released Friday to meet a deadline set by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to qualify for regional funding, the paper said.
SMART has staunch supporters and detractors in Marin County, but the detractors have been more vocal at recent meetings as the rail authority's staff has struggled to secure funds to start the line by the projected 2014 debut.
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SMART projected a cost of $370 million to start up the passenger rail line between Santa Rosa and San Rafael. Plans for a much longer line between Cloverdale and Larkspur were put on hold because of funding problems.
The district plans to issuing requests for construction proposals in August and to begin selling construction bonds.
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For the complete Press Democrat story, click here.
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