Dear Windsor Families & Staff:
We have just been made aware that the SMART train will begin testing its lines and equipment starting April 1 (tomorrow), and running through the end of the month. Throughout April, test trains will operate 7 days a week between the Sonoma County Airport station and the Windsor station and trains will sound their horns intermittently, as required by federal safety regulations. Grade crossing warning systems, such as lights, gates, and bells will be operated during the Systems Testing period. Systems Testing is done to evaluate the safe operation of warning devices, train control system, and proper speed enforcement throughout the railway extension to Windsor.
This testing will involve trains being moved on the lines, in and out of the stations, and signal lines and crossing tests, etc. on an undetermined schedule (meaning activities or closures could be anywhere from minutes to hours at any given time) between the hours of 7am and 10pm. This could affect traffic patterns and create delays, including during morning and afternoon pickup times, especially at the roundabout at the junction of Windsor Road and Windsor River Road. While we anticipate primary impacts at Windsor High School and Cali Calmecac, we know that potential impacts could be felt by all commuters on that route.
Full “simulated service” testing will begin in May, and we will share those details, as well as potential impacts to bus schedules, commute times etc. at that time. We will also be working with SMART to create train safety information for our students. For the latest updates on the Windsor train construction, testing and opening, go to: https://www.sonomamarintrain.org/construction-updates.
At this stage it is difficult to determine what impacts may be seen from this phase of testing, but we recommend planning a bit of extra time for your school commute in the morning. If there are any changes to bus schedules, we will let everyone know immediately.
Your Windsor Unified School District team
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