Good News for Port
Sonoma
There is good
news for ferry buffs and supporters of a North Bay Ferry Terminal at
Port Sonoma ... where both the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and
Highway 37 cross the mouth of the Petaluma River ... and where there
is a federally maintained ship channel leading to deep water in the
Bay.
The California
Transportation Commission has awarded $15.6 million of a total of
$60 million authorized by the California legislature to repay debts
and restore tracks of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad’s 317-mile
route from Napa County through Port Sonoma, Novato, Petaluma, Santa
Rosa, Ukiah, Willits, and the Port of Eureka to its final
destination at the lumber town of Arcata. The North Coast Railroad
Authority, which manages the railroad, hopes to have freight service
restored from Napa to Arcata by the end of next year.
On the other
hand, there are no plans to restore the railroad southward from
Novato to San Rafael and Larkspur Landing. That railroad line is no
longer under the same jurisdiction.
But, for those
waiting at the dock at Port Sonoma for their ferry to come in the
news is good, since the restored railroad running right through the
proposed ferry terminal site could provide passenger service for
commuters form Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and points north to the
proposed Port Sonoma ferry terminal. It’s time for supporters of
Port Sonoma ferry service to make their voices heard. With a bit of
effort, Port Sonoma could become the site for a new North Bay Ferry
Terminal!
