Grand Opening of the Petaluma North Station
The Petaluma North Station marks a significant milestone for Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) and the City of Petaluma. The station, located at 320 Corona Road, is set to open with a grand celebration at noon on Friday, January 10. This highly anticipated event will allow attendees to be among the first to ride to the new station and experience its transformative role in connecting the community to regional rail services.
The Petaluma North Station presented an exciting challenge and opportunity for CSWST2. Located adjacent to an active rail line, the station required careful coordination, innovative engineering, and seamless integration into its surrounding environment. As the project lead, CSWST2 delivered civil design, rail engineering, and project management services, ensuring every component came together efficiently and effectively.
At the heart of the project was the design of the station platform, plaza, and parking lot, all situated alongside active tracks. To accommodate the complexities of construction within an operating rail corridor, the team designed a gauntlet track—a unique solution that allows trains to shift smoothly as they approach the station. This design minimized disruptions to train operations while creating a safe and functional station experience for passengers.
Equally important was the work done on grade crossings, which are critical for pedestrian and bicycle safety in active rail zones. CSWST2 took on the task of revising these crossings to meet updated requirements, ensuring they aligned with the station’s real-world conditions and user needs. This work extended to portions of an adjacent pedestrian pathway, where the team carefully updated designs to reflect the station’s new infrastructure and integrate seamlessly into the existing trail network.
Throughout the process, CSWST2 led a multidisciplinary effort, coordinating with subconsultants for geotechnical studies and signals engineering. Navigating site constraints—including nearby wetlands and residential developments—required adaptability and collaboration to deliver a project that met SMART’s goals and served the surrounding community.
The Petaluma North Station now stands as a vital transit hub, connecting nearby neighborhoods to regional rail services while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle accessibility. CSWST2’s role in this project underscores our ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder efforts and deliver solutions that blend functionality, safety, and thoughtful design.