Jack Swearengen, Chair Friends of SMART
October 25, 2018
Friends of SMART supports the Jennings Avenue at-grade crossing as set forth in the application by the City of Santa Rosa and approved by CPUC on September 15, 2016. We believe that it is an essential part of safe bicycle and pedestrian movement across the tracks.
Initially, SMART staff worked with the City to develop specifications and costs for the Jennings crossing. Unfortunately, SMART failed to construct the crossing and it has apparently decided to oppose this needed project, as exemplified in the recent August 20, 2018, letter from Chief Engineer, Bill Gamlen to City of Santa Rosa Director of Transportation and Public Works, Jason Nutt. As a result of SMART staff's actions, costs have increased over what the City had budgeted for the work and the 3-year CPUC approval period will expire in less than a year.
We request that SMART instruct its staff to cooperate with the City by providing accurate cost estimates and other information necessary to begin construction. Once the City decides to proceed, SMART staff must work with the City to deliver the quality, on-budget project that SMART is known for. And in the event that funding for this critical improvement is not currently available to the City, we request that SMART continue to cooperate with the City and take any actions necessary to ensure that the Jennings Avenue at-grade crossing can be constructed when funding is available.
Jack Swearengen,
Chair Friends of SMART
Contact: Jack Swearengen
Cell: 707-292-7258