News and Opinion

CHSRA Selects Stantec to Design Merced-Madera Extension

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Dec.19 announced that it has awarded Edmonton, Alberta, Canada-based engineering firm Stantec a $41 million contract to design the 33.9-mile Merced to Madera extension, the key junction that will connect the 500-mile-long project between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Metrolinx will install a new steel pipe culvert as part of the Toronto Lakeshore East Rail Corridor project.

Watch: Metrolinx’s Culvert Replacement Project

Crews will be replacing a collapsed culvert with a new steel pipe culvert in Small’s Creek, as part of Metrolinx’s Toronto Lakeshore East Rail Corridor project. The work will restore the creek’s water flow through the embankment, improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding.

Amtrak Looks to Remove Pennsylvania ‘Distant Signals’

With Positive Train Control (PTC) operational, Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to remove automatic wayside signals serving as distant signals to existing interlockings on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg, Pa.

Long Island Railroad Finishes Great Neck Pocket Track Extension

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Long Island Railroad, part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), has announced that work crews have completed an extension of track east of Great Neck that will ensure greater service reliability on the Port Washington Branch with the projected service increase associated with the opening of MTA’s new Grand Central Madison station.

MTA Announces Accessibility Upgrades at Multiple Subway and LIRR Stations

NEW YORK, N.Y. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced a sweeping package of accessibility upgrades that will make nine more New York City Subway stations accessible, replace and upgrade elevators at another five subway stations, and make seven Long Island Rail Road stations in Queens and Nassau and Suffolk Counties fully accessible for the first time while replacing elevators at two additional LIRR stations.

ASLRRA, NRC Comments Address Proposed Rule to Amend Certain Training Regulations

WASHINGTON – On Nov. 29, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) concerning a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend regulations concerning training, qualification and oversight for safety-related railroad employees (Training Rule).

RTD Resumes Full Service on R Line

Following a derailment that occurred in Aurora on Sept. 21 that impacted the R Line, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) has restored full service to the affected four-mile stretch of the corridor from Aurora Metro Center to the 13th Avenue Station with additional safety measures in place.

Caltrain to Reduce Service for Electrification Construction

Caltrain announced on Nov. 28 that it will temporarily reduce service from Monday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 18 to accommodate electrification construction that includes signal cutover work at 16 grade crossings, requiring a 24/7 single-tracking window between Belmont and Mountain View.