FRA develops first multi-state planning study for high-performance rail in the Southwest

The  Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published its first multi-state plan for a comprehensive, high-performing passenger rail network that will support rail planning in six Southwestern states over the next 35 years.

X Train re-routes to Western Alignment

The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc., (X Train) has begun the engineering of the route to Las Vegas from Los Angeles on what it calls the Western Alignment.

Caltrain gets FRA approval for PTC system

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has given Caltrain the green light to proceed with the installation and testing of its Positive Train Control (PTC) technology.

AECOM completes acquisition of URS Corporation

AECOM completed its acquisition of URS Corporation on Oct. 17, 2014, following approval of the merger agreement by URS’ stockholders and the stock issuance proposal by AECOM’s stockholders at each company’s respective special stockholder meetings held on Oct. 16, 2014.

FEIS, ROD issued for CREATE’s 75th Street CIP

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners and the Federal Highway Administration announced the availability of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (75th Street CIP).

CTC allocates $78 million to BART maintenance shop and yard improvements project

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $1 billion to repair its transportation system and alleviate traffic delays statewide, including $78 million to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) for its maintenance shop and yard improvements project.

TSB issues final report on VIA Rail crossing accident; notes safety procedure revisions

In its investigation report, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that the May 2013 collision between a VIA Rail Canada passenger train and a tractor-trailer at a private level crossing in Québec City occurred when the train was proceeding through the crossing while the manual gate protecting the crossing was up.

Engineering report details work needed to fix Amtrak New York tunnels

An engineering report, detailing damage to the Amtrak-owned Hudson River and East River tunnels from Superstorm Sandy, recommends a phased process to take individual tubes out of service for extended periods to perform the work required to maintain reliability of train movements in and out of New York City.

CHSRA appoints director of planning and integration

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has appointed Melissa DuMond as director of planning and integration. She will be responsible for advancing CHSRA’s implementation of the high-speed rail program by coordinating station area development, overseeing the advancement of integrated service with other rail providers and management of general corridor planning activities.

TEX Rail construction could begin in 2016 with ROD receipt

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the TEX Rail project. The ROD sets the stage for construction on the project to possibly begin in 2016.

FTA awards nearly $3.6 billion in federal disaster relief funds

The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) awarded 40 projects a total of $3.59 billion in federal disaster relief funds to help public transportation systems in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy to become more resilient, in order to withstand the impact of future natural disasters.

Illinois high-speed project wraps up track and tie replacement

The Illinois high-speed rail project connecting Chicago to St. Louis reached a significant milestone in construction September 22, 2014, when the last segment of track and crossties were replaced.

Senate Commerce Committee passes STB reauthorization act; PRRIA passes House T&I Committee

Two pieces of rail-related legislation have progressed on opposite sides of the hill.

WSDOT, FRA complete Kelso Martin’s Bluff Rail Project environmental study

The Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently completed the environmental study of the Kelso Martin’s Bluff Rail Project in Washington state, which would provide more frequent and reliable service for Amtrak Cascades passengers between Seattle and Portland.

Rail-related projects in eight states receive TIGER awards

Several rail-related projects across eight states will benefit from close to $90 million million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

California agencies kick off rail safety month

Metrolink, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Operation Lifesaver Inc., launched a combined safety campaign September 4 of “See Tracks? Think Train!” to honor Rail Safety Awareness month in California.

Chicago-St. Louis HSR receives a $102-million investment

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program will make a $102-million investment to improve system performance and reliability on a key segment of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail line.

Springfield Rail Improvements Project begins with grade separation

Local and federal officials gathered on Thursday, August 21, 2014, for a ground-breaking ceremony of a underpass at Carpenter Street in Springfield, Ill. The grade separation is part of a larger rail project that will consolidate rail traffic and improve safety as part of the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed corridor.

Massachusetts to purchase rail line for Knowledge Corridor project

The commonwealth of Massachusetts plans to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line between East Northfield and Springfield from Pan Am Southern, a joint venture of Pan Am and Norfolk Southern.

STB approves second phase of California HSR route; ARCADIS awarded PCM contract

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted authorization to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to construct a 114-mile segment of the planned 800-mile route between Fresno and Bakersfield, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.

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