Ontario converting Kipling Station to transit hub
The province of Ontario is moving forward with plans to redevelop the Kipling Station into a transit hub that will integrate subway, regional rail and inter-regional bus services.
Author: Mischa Wanek-Libman
British Columbia matches CA$2.2B federal investment for transit funding
British Columbia will match the Canadian governments CA$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) in transit funding for projects in the Metro Vancouver area.
FRA opts for four single train tunnels to replace B&P Tunnel in ROD
Four new one-track tunnels should be bored to replace the existing Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel according to a Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on March 31.
Canada commits to funding GO RER with CA$1.8 billion
The government of Canada will provide CA$1.8 billion (US$1.35 billion) to the GO Transit Regional Express rail (GO RER) project in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area.
Sec. Chao: Regulations, not funding are holding up infrastructure advancement
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the administration’s forthcoming infrastructure proposal will cover more than infrastructure and reiterated the belief that regulatory red tape, not funding, is responsible for holding up projects.
Québec includes funds for REM project in budget
The Government of Québec has committed CA$1.28 billion (US$96 million), which represents 24.5 percent total equity, to the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project.
VTrans receives emergency order to install two temp bridges for Middlebury rail tunnel project
Two temporary bridges will be installed in downtown Middlebury, Vt., to support a rail tunnel project.
Rising costs force R.J. Corman to pull intermodal port project
R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, has ended its efforts to establish an intermodal port on the Cumberland River in Clarksville, Tenn., citing a $3.5 million funding gap.
Canada 2017 federal budget commits to transit funding
Canada’s federal 2017 budget was released March 22 in a move the government called “the next step in the government’s long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.”
IO, Metrolinx issue RFQ for Lakeshore East project
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Lakeshore East – East Corridor Expansion project.
Virginia launches review of WMATA practices
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the commonwealth would take on an independent review of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) “to identify potential changes to governance and funding, and help position WMATA to support growth in the region.”
LACMTA Board proceeds with environmental study to allow trains dual entry at Union Station
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors is moving forward with an environmental study that will look into building run through tracks at Union Station.
South Coast Rail will incorporate “Middleborough Route”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is planning to construct the South Coast Rail project in two phases, beginning with the Middleborough Route.
CTC allocates $60 million to California rail projects
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $217 million to 72 projects in the state including more than $60 million for state rail projects.
Passenger advocates skewer Trump’s proposed budget; USDOT not ruffled
Passenger rail advocates called out the Trump Administration’s proposed budget for perceived hypocrisy and undermining the voters who put him in office while the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) response was more moderate.
FRA publishes quarterly PTC status update
The Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a status update today on railroads’ progress implementing positive train control (PTC) systems in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts USDOT funds; TIGER, Amtrak long distance train funding gone
The Trump Administration released its proposed 2017 budget, which includes reducing funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak’s long distance train funding, as well as popular transportation grants.
Maggie Lancaster joins RT&S editorial staff
Maggie Lancaster has joined the staff of Railway Track & Structures as Assistant Editor, reporting directly to RT&S Editor and Railway Age Engineering Editor Mischa Wanek-Libman.
SCPA breaks ground on second inland port
The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) broke ground March 10 on the Inland Port Dillon, which is slated to open in early 2018.
Orange, Durham counties agree to accelerated LRT plan schedule
Orange and Durham counties in North Carolina have agreed to an accelerated schedule to update country transit plans and a cost sharing agreement for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit project.