Author: jrood

BART installing energy-efficient lighting at North Berkeley Station






February 14, 2001

Beginning August 1, 2010
and ending October 1, BART will be installing new energy-efficient lighting
fixtures and intelligent lighting system components in the North Berkeley
Station. The improvements will greatly enhance station lighting levels. The
work will be performed outside of commute hours, whenever possible, to minimize
inconvenience. One unused AC Transit bus stop will be used for the contractor’s
trailer. No buses will be re-routed or relocated during construction.

Amtrak adds stops at to accommodate South Shore construction






February 14, 2001

Amtrak has added special
stops in Michigan City, Ind., on three Wolverine Service trains during selected
Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, through November 8. This is in response to the
construction-related shut down of South Shore Line commuter rail service east
of Gary, Ind., on those dates.

Northern Maine fears loss of lifeline






February 14, 2001

Rudy Boutot, a leathery
veteran of the logging trade, is the only one of 11 siblings who chose to
remain in jobs-challenged Aroostook County, Maine, the Boston Globe reports.
But in all his 66 years, Boutot said, he has never seen the economy this bad.

Efren Alcala joins Parson Brinckerhoff






February 14, 2001

Efren Alcala has been named
a supervising engineer in the New York City office of Parsons Brinckerhoff. In
his new position, Alcala will initially be responsible for the design of
plumbing and fire protection systems for the East Side Access project, which is
extending The Long Island Rail Road into Grand Central Terminal.

Leipsic, Ohio, receives grant to develop industrial park








February 14, 2001

The Village of Leipsic,
Ohio, was awarded a $3.5-million grant to assist in developing its 244-acre
industrial site served by three railroads, the Putnam County Sentinel reports. 

At
a Leipsic Council meeting, Leipsic Mayor Kevin Benton and village administrator
Kevin Lammon informed council members that the village has been selected to
receive this grant.



Trolley may return to downtown Fresno, Calif.






February 14, 2001

As Fresno’s population
grows, so does its traffic congestion, especially in bustling areas such as
downtown, the Fresno Business Journal reports. For many, it is apparent that a
streetcar system, reminiscent of the one Fresno residents used up until the
late 1930s, will be the key to curbing the flow of traffic in the future while
bringing visitors and economic stimulation to the city’s core.

Pennsylvania governor calls for more transit funding






February 14, 2001

Beneath a 115-year-old
SEPTA bridge, Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell on August 3 renewed his call for more
money to fix roads and bridges, kicking off a four-day statewide tour to try to
prod the General Assembly to action, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Rendell also sent a letter
to legislators day, asking them to reconvene in Harrisburg on Aug. 23 to come
up with at least $472 million more for transportation.

Renovation of Amtrak Lancaster, Pa., station moving forward






Following a productive
meeting late the week of July 26, Amtrak and the Lancaster County Planning
Commission (LCPC) said that issues surrounding the renovation of the Lancaster
Station have been resolved and the project is moving forward as planned. As a
result of the meeting, it was determined that no additional funds beyond Amtrak’s
estimate of $1.7 million provided to the LCPC in 2008 will be needed for Amtrak’s
construction support.

Santa Cruz Count, Calif., rail vote comes back to local commission






Santa Cruz County, Calif.,
residents who have been following the local attempt to buy a 32-mile railroad
branch may have a sense of déjà vu, The Post reports. The Regional
Transportation Commission is expected to vote again on issues surrounding a
state grant of $10.2 million on Aug. 5. For some commissioners and members of
the public, the required votes are just a formality, confirming actions already
taken this spring.

Small North Carolina towns fret rail crossing closing plans






The railroad spawned a
string of towns north of Raleigh, N.C., in the 19th century, and now it
threatens to cut them in half, the News Observer reports. Many residents worry
that Youngsville, Franklinton, Henderson and Norlina will see little benefit
from a plan to run passenger trains between Raleigh and Richmond, Va., at
speeds up to 110 mph. The $2.3-billion project is part of a planned high-speed
rail corridor that would cut nearly two hours from train trips between North
Carolina and the Northeast.

Cleveland RTA repair work temporarily closing stations






In order to replace a
stairway, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is temporarily
closing the West 25th Red Line Rail station. The one-week project is
scheduled to close the station from August 11 through August 18. The Red Line
will continue to travel through this location, but passengers will not be able
to enter or exit through this station during the stairway construction project.

Temporary parking changes at BART Ashby Station due to construction






During the week of August 9
through August 13, some areas surrounding the BART Ashby Station will be
unavailable due to construction work on the Station Modernization Project.
There will be a crane in the north parking lot that will be moving steel into
position for construction during the day. A "safety area" will be set
up which will cut off access to part of the sidewalk, parking lot and roadway.
Access will also be cut off to the bicycle lockers under the Adeline Street
Plaza at the Concourse level.


New federal freight bill praised by green transportation group






A bill introduced July 30
in the U.S. House of Representatives could help transform America’s
transportation policy and investment by directing federal investment to
freight system projects that update the freight system and help reduce
freight’s environmental and health impacts, according to an environmental advocay group.

South Shore names Fox president






The Chicago South Shore
& South Bend Railroad said that Henry Lampe, president and CEO, would
retire at the end of October 2010. Succeeding him will be Andrew Fox, managing
director of Pacific Harbor Line and former PHL president since 1997.

Secretary LaHood announces $727,000 
for New York high-speed rail






U.S. Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood said $727,000 would be coming for the State of New York to
continue work on its high-speed rail program with the rehabilitation of the
Buffalo-Depew railroad station. The Department of Transportation has provided
New York $1.7 million of the $151 million awarded under the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for high-speed rail.