Transit agencies pen stimulus plan wish list

<p>Although a new federal stimulus package is still just a proposal, Sonoma County agencies have submitted requests for $290 million to buy buses, repave roads and get North Coast trains up and running.</p><p>"I am hopeful and optimistic we will be able to see some local benefit to a federal stimulus package," Suzanne Smith, the executive director for the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, said Monday. "The question is how much are we able to garner for Sonoma County and for what projects."</p><p>The transportation authority, the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit district and the North Coast Railroad Authority have submitted proposals to Caltrans on projects that could be under way quickly if money becomes available.</p><p>"The package doesn't even exist, but we are like everyone else, we are putting our Christmas wish list out there and hope the new president comes through," said Chris Coursey, a spokesman for SMART.</p><p>President-elect Barack Obama has promised $775 billion over the next two years, with a substantial portion of the money for public works projects that could get started relatively soon.</p><p>A key aide said Sunday that Obama wants lawmakers to have a stimulus bill ready to sign shortly after he takes office Jan. 20.</p><p>Smith said they don't know the criteria or even if the money would flow through the California Transportation Commission or the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission.</p><p>"It is all rumor that the president-elect will want to sign something soon, but by early to mid February we will know what the rules are and the money will flow quite quickly," Smith said.</p><p>The transportation authority projects include $100 million to widen Highway 101 between Petaluma and Cotati, improve interchanges on River Road in Forestville and along Highway 101 in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, and for freeway landscaping.</p><p>It is also asking for $22.5 million for new buses for Santa Rosa and Sonoma County transit agencies and a new compressed natural gas fueling station for Sonoma County Transit.</p><p>"We have compiled a list and submitted to Caltrans to demonstrate need, but not for earmarking," Smith said. "It is pretty clear they will not be earmarking at the federal level."</p><p>Earmarks are generally considered to be pet projects of individual members of congress.</p><p>SMART has submitted $130 million in proposals that include repairing the Cal-Park Tunnel in Marin County, replacing several bridges and trestles, culvert and drainage work and parts of the pedestrian-bicycle path along the Northwestern Pacific Railroad route.</p><p>"We want to be in line when the money is being handed out," Coursey said. "Our funding plan doesn't include getting any of this money, so whatever we get is gravy, it will allow us to do other improvements with our sales tax."</p><p>The NCRA is requesting $36 million to repair the track from Windsor to Willits, which would reopen that segment to freight traffic, said Mitch Stogner, general manager of the rail authority.</p><p>The NCRA is in the midst of a $45 million repair of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad track from Lombard near Napa to Windsor, and could be running three round-trips a week by the fall, Stogner said.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat</p><p>.com</p>