LYNX Blue Line Extension opening delayed seven months
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) will open in March 2018, seven months later than the previously scheduled opening of August 2017.
Author: Mischa Wanek-Libman
Caltrain ends Parsons PTC contract; reaches agreement with contractors for PCEP deadline extension
Caltrain has terminated a contract with Parsons Transportation Group (PTG), the firm responsible for designing and implementing a Positive Control System or CBOSS, after the agency said lack of the contractor’s progress threatened to delay implementation of the technology.
Metra’s Orseno to retire at end of 2017
Don Orseno, who began his career in 1974 as a ticket collector on the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, will retire as Metra executive director and CEO in December 2017.
Atlantic Track & Turnout hosts staff from Sen. Durbin’s office
On February 22, staff of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member – Atlantic Track & Turnout Co. (Atlantic Track) – for a tour of its facility in Richmond, Ill.
Sound Transit constructing East Link light-rail tunnel in Bellevue one small section at a time
A 2,000-linear-foot tunnel that will host light-rail service in Bellevue, Wash., as part of Sound Transit’s East Link, is now under construction.
IO, Metrolinx issue RFQ for Toronto Union Station project
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Union Station Enhancement project in Toronto, ON, Canada has been issued by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx.
Connecticut bond commission approves additional funds for NHHS rail program
The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved an additional $50 million in funding for the New-Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.
EDA grants $1.2 million to Mississippi rail spur project
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the city of Newton, Mississippi, to help expand rail access to the Newton Industrial Park.
Reading & Northern names Clark as SVP Coal
Reading & Northern Railroad has named William Clark as senior vice president – Coal where he will be responsible for managing the anthracite coal business, as well as the railroad’s freight car fleet of more than 1,200 cars.
APTA: Commuter rail industry makes progress implementing PTC
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says its members are making “significant progress” toward implementing positive train control (PTC) and are on schedule to meet the December 2018 deadline.
Three teams to bid on MBTA Green Line extension
Three teams have been selected by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to compete for the design-build contract to build the Green Line Extension Project.
BRACE Act to make shortline tax credit permanent re-enters Senate
Legislation has been introduced into the U.S. Senate that would make permanent a tax credit used to repair and upgrade shortline and regional railroads.
Canadian Pacific: The beaver is back
Canadian Pacific is updating its logo to a design that the railroad says expresses strength and confidence while recognizing its past.
Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT plans expand
Ottawa’s planned Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is expanding its scope with a proposal that would extend the project to the west, south and east. Stakeholders also explained a recommended procurement model for the project.
CSX appoints Eliasson as president; Ward, Gooden to retire in May
CSX has appointed Fredrik J. Eliasson as president, effective Feb. 15, 2017. Michael J. Ward, chairman and CEO of CSX, and Clarence W. Gooden, president, will retire effective May 31, 2017.
USDOT puts Caltrain grant on hold
A $647-million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) has been deferred until the Trump Administration develops a budget for Fiscal Year 2018.
IO, Metrolinx move forward with RFP for rail tunnel project
Three shortlisted teams have been invited to submit a Request for Proposals by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build and finance the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project.
PANYNJ Board approves largest capital plan in history
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners approved a $32.3 billion 2017-2026 Capital Plan on Feb. 16.
Peter Gertler returns to HNTB as SVP
Peter Gertler has rejoined HNTB Corporation as a senior vice president in a corporate and national strategic business development role, based in Oakland, Calif.
SNCF to digitalize its railway with IBM Watson IoT
French Railways operator SNCF is busy connecting its entire rail system using IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) on IBM Cloud that the tech company said will allow SNCF to enhance customer experiences, operational efficiency and rail safety.