Don Billen to lead Sound Transit’s project development department
Sound Transit has promoted Don Billen to executive director of the Planning Environment and Project Development (PEPD) department.
Author: Mischa Wanek-Libman
GO RER/SmartTrack MOU signed; funding allocated for several Toronto transit lines
The province of Ontario and the city of Toronto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) paving the way for an integrated GO Regional Express Rail (RER) and SmartTrack project. The province also announced funding allocations for additional transit projects in the area.
CHSRA, LACMTA reach funding agreement for grade separation project
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) have reached a joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Koppers Loadman to retire; Sullivan named to succeed
Thomas D. Loadman, senior vice president, Railroad Products and Services (RPS) at Koppers Holdings Inc., will retire Dec. 31, 2018, following 39 years at the company.
Texas Central selects Bechtel as project manager
Texas Central, developers of the high-speed train between North Texas and Houston, entered an agreement with Bechtel to work together on project management services.
CTA issues RFP for first phase of Red and Purple line project
The Chicago Transit Authority issued a Final Request for Proposals to three contractors for Phase One of the Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM).
FRA extends Part 243 implementation dates by another full year
Railroads and rail contractors will have an additional year to comply with the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Part 243 Minimum Training Standards rule, which was originally issued in 2014.
nVent completes separation from Pentair
nVent Electric plc, a provider of electrical connection and protection solutions, has completed its separation from Pentair plc and its launch as an independent, publicly traded company.
Union Pacific three-peats as top railroad in employee safety
Union Pacific remains the safest U.S. Class 1 railroad in employee safety for the third consecutive year.
CalSTA awards $4.3 billion to California transit and intercity rail projects through grants, funding agreements
The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) awarded $2.6 billion in Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grants to 28 recipients. CalSTA is also providing additional funding for seven projects through multi-year funding agreements, bringing the total awarded to more than $4.3 billion.
FRA seminars to help communicate training and drug testing rules
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) plans to hold three seminars across the country to discuss regulations pertaining to drug testing and safety-related employee training.
Additional 3 states obtain FTA certification of SSO Programs
Three states¬ – Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania – have obtained Federal Transit Administration (FTA) certification of their State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs.
LACMTA completes Blue Line crossing safety project
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) wrapped up a project to increase pedestrian safety at more than two dozen Blue Line crossings following approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.
Move over TIGER, USDOT ready to BUILD
The U.S. Department of Transportation is retiring the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program name and will award the $1.5 billion available in discretionary grant funding as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants.
Watco names McNichol SVP government relations
Laura McNichol has been named senior vice president of government and industry relations at Watco Companies.
Contracting industry leader Nathan Henderson dead at 43
Nathan Henderson, executive vice president of Midwest Pacific Rail Net & Logistics and managing partner and chief operating office of North America Rail Partners, LLC, died April 18, 2018.
Gov. Malloy opens Meridian Station; calls for stable transportation funding
Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, alongside Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker and numerous federal and state officials, held a ceremony to commemorate the grand opening of the new CTRail Hartford Line Meriden Station on April 19.
GOP delegation pushing for potential Gateway funding to be rescinded
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) sent a letter April 19 to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, which urged him to advise President Trump to rescind recent funding that could be used to move the Gateway Program forward.
UBC wants SkyTrain extension to campus
The University of British Columbia (UBC) Board of Governors approved an advocacy strategy on April 19 to accelerate completion of the SkyTrain line to UBC’s Point Grey campus.
HNTB adds Tripousis as associate vice president
Ben Tripousis has joined HNTB Corporation as associate vice president and senior program manager. He is based in the firm’s San Jose, Calif., office.