Work on Phase I of the project, running from Santa Rosa to San Rafael, Calif., will encompass about 38.5 miles, with eventual build-out of 70 miles north to Cloverdale and south to Larkspur. SMART in early January chose a joint venture for construction that included Alameda, Calif.-based Stacey and Witbeck Inc. and St. Joseph, Mo.-based Herzog Contracting Corp.

Service on Phase I is scheduled to begin in late 2014 or early 2015.

"This is a historic moment, it has been a long time coming," said state Rep. Lynn Woolsey. "We simply can't meet our transportation needs by building roads. It's not cost-effective. It is not smart."