Union Pacific implementing technology to monitor bridges
Union Pacific is incorporating “smart monitoring,” a technique the railroad says has the potential to revolutionize how the railroad’s 18,000 bridges are inspected.
Author: Mischa Wanek-Libman
Whirlpool Canada building at CN’s Calgary Logistics Park
Officials from Canadian National and Whirlpool Canada came together on June 28 to break ground on a new distribution center at the railroad’s Calgary Logistics Park in Rocky View County, AB.
Ottawa extends RTG contract for Stage 2 LRT
The city of Ottawa and Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG) have extended existing contractual arrangements under a new agreement for Stage 2 of the Confederation Line.
Faster trains to O’Hare could depend on a boring plan
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has long sought a way to get trains between downtown and O’Hare airport more quickly and he may have found a new option: Elon Musk’s tunneling concept.
Canadian government pledges CA$333M to Finch West LRT project
The planned Finch West Light Rail Transit project in Toronto, ON, Canada, secured a CA$333-million (US$251.4-million) federal funding commitment under the Building Canada Fund.
Elevated LRT alignment to be studied for Sound Transit extension
Sound Transit will study an option to elevate the planned extension of light rail to downtown Redmond per a directive from the transit agency’s board.
Sound Transit finalizes $87.7M TIFIA loan for maintenance facility
Sound Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation executed an $87.7-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to build a new maintenance base in Bellevue, Wash., to support future light-rail expansions.
LACMTA Board approves first Measure M-funded rail project
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board has approved the first rail project to be funded through Measure M; a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.
Calgary Transit upcycles retired car into inspection vehicle
Calgary Transit has transformed one of its retired CTrain cars into an inspection vehicle to gather information on the system’s rails, tracks and overhead cables.
California, New York state legislation looks to bolster transit funding
Two pieces of legislation, one introduced in California and the other in New York, aim to support transit funding for Caltrain and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Gov. Cuomo aims to give state majority control of MTA Board
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo advanced legislation that would give the state majority control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), citing the transit agency’s “state of crisis.”
First phase of Penn Station modernization opens
An expanded West End Concourse, the first phase of the modernization and transformation of New York Penn Station, is open.
Massachusetts senator takes whistle-stop tour to rally support for HSR
A state senator from Massachusetts is tapping into a mode of public communication not seen since last century: The whistle-stop tour (but by car).
Canada commits US$825M to Ottawa LRT Stage 2
Ottawa’s expansion of its light-rail system received a CA$1.09-billion (US$825-million) funding commitment from the Canadian government on June 16, 2017.
Deal struck for redeveloped Penn-Farley Complex
A financial agreement has been reached between all partners involved in the Pennsylvania Station-Farley Complex redevelopment project to transform New York City’s James A Farley Post Office into a world-class transportation hub.
FONSI issued for Susquehanna River Bridge
A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been issued for the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project.
Canada provides funds to advance planning of Yonge Subway extension
The planned extension of Toronto Transit Commission’s Yonge Subway north to the York Region received a CA$36-million (US$27.18 million) infusion from the government of Canada to advance planning preliminary engineering.
AAR pushes to preserve North American trading relationships
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) filed comments with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on June 12, detailing the importance of preserving North American trade relationships to freight railroads.
ASLRRA recognizes 308 Jake Award winners
More than 300 shortline and regional railroads earned Jake Awards from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) for their safety performance in 2016.
APTA names safety and security winners; BART takes Rail Rodeo honors
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognized winners of its annual Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards and named the team from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) as the winner of the International Rail Rodeo.