Author: jrood

FTA administrator tours DART Green Line

Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff on February 23 visited three stations along the 28-mile Dallas Area Rapid Transit Green Line light-rail expansion project in Dallas, Texas, to see firsthand the economic development resulting from the federal government’s investments in the region.

Watco adds to management team

Aaron Coester has been named vice president, informa¬tion technology of Watco Companies, LLC. His responsibilities will include overseeing information technol¬ogy software and services related to RMI, WATSS and SAP.

TriMet now producing solar energy at South Terminus

TriMet in Portland, Ore., has a solar project at the South Terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at SW Jackson Street that is now operational. Located near Portland State University, it’s the largest solar project in downtown Portland and a first for the MAX light-rail system.

CTA targets waste to save millions

The Chicago Transit Authority’s President Forrest Claypool exposed millions in waste at CTA supply warehouses, while unveiling a host of improvements to the agency’s system for managing parts and materials; each designed to reduce costs, increase oversight and improve operations.

Unitrac awarded WMATA order

Unitrac Railroad Materials, Inc., received a three year contract to supply special trackwork to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The amount of manufactured trackwork that will be provided by Unitrac under this contract is valued at approximately $8 million over the next three years.

Del Cueto addresses KCS

On February 15, KCS de Mexico director ejecutivo de operaciones Oscar Del Cueto and gerente de desarrollo de negocios internacionales Marco Cervantes attended BNamericas Mexico Infrastructure Summit in Mexico City.

NYCT second round of FASTRACK improvements declared a success

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit wrapped up its second FASTRACK line segment closure successfully completing an ambitious schedule of work on the Seventh Avenue Line from 34 th Street-Penn Station to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. NYCT said it remains clear that the FASTRACK program is both a safer and more efficient way to maintain and clean a 24/7 subway system.

Cincinnati kicks off construction of new streetcar line

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood helped kick off construction of a new 3.9-mile streetcar line that will spur Cincinnati’s efforts to revitalize its downtown core by improving access to major employers, the developing riverfront and many area attractions. LaHood was joined at the event by Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory.

Trains are operating again on P&N corridor

The first train in more than 20 years operated on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Piedmont & Northern Railroad corridor February 20, from Gastonia to Mount Holly, N.C. The train was operated by Patriot Rail, a freight shortline and regional railroad company based in Boca Raton, Fla., under a lease that has been signed with that company.

RITA launches U.S. DOT research hub website

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) recently launched the U.S. DOT Research Hub website, a searchable database of the latest agency-sponsored research, development and technology projects.