LACMTA turns to women to build Los Angeles
Twenty-one women graduated from the first Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) all-female construction boot camp as part of the Women Build Metro Los Angeles program.
Commuter/Regional
Gateway projects take step toward qualifying for major funding
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has moved the Hudson Tunnel Project and Portal North Bridge – both critical elements of the Gateway Program in the New York City area – into the Project Development process for a New Starts Grant available through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Testing begins on RTD G Line
The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and its contractor Denver Transit Partners (DTP) are beginning to test commuter rail trains along the entire length of the new G Line through Arvada and Wheat Ridge, Colo.
PTA taps Jacobs Engineering for airport rail link
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has been appointed as client-side technical advisor to the Western Australia Public Transport Authority (PTA) for the Forrestfield Airport Rail Link.
Sound Transit says ST3 plan would cost locals $14/month
Sound Transit has released an updated and more precise calculation of the taxes residents would pay if the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure is approved in November.
Sanveo opens L.A. office
Sanveo, Inc., has officially opened its new office in Los Angeles, Calif., adding to its existing offices in Newark, Calif., Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Aurangabad, India.
Port, grade separation projects receive FASTLANE grants
Several intermodal projects, as well as two grade separation projects will benefit from Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-Term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grants.
Canada, Quebec reach agreement on transit funding
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard have confirmed the ratification of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund and the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
Virginia awarded $165 million FASTLANE grant for Atlantic Gateway Project
Virginia’s proposed Atlantic Gateway Project has been selected for a federal FASTLANE grant of $165 million.
Lor to manage rail projects for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has hired Rik Lor, who will manage the delivery of rail projects as a senior engineering manager in its transit and rail technical excellence center.
Metra updates procurement plan
Metra has updated its buying plan to provide prospective vendors, contractors and subcontractors with a list of equipment, goods and services it expects to purchase within the next 12 months.
Final Sandy relief funds allocated
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will allocate the final $834.6 million available in Hurricane Sandy disaster recovery funding, providing maximum flexibility for impacted communities to direct repairs and has validated additional eligible damage for each recipient agency.
FWTA gets greenlight to start TEX Rail construction
The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) for TEX Rail, which means that construction for the 27-mile commuter rail can break ground next month.
SacRT GM/CEO Wiley to retire earlier than planned
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mike Wiley plans to accelerate his retirement date from December 2016 up to August 1, 2016, when Henry Li takes over the position.
Sound Transit sends light-rail expansion plan to November ballot
The Sound Transit Board has capped three and a half years of discussion and public input by unanimously voting to send voters a final Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure for consideration in November. The plan’s proposals include completion of a regional light-rail network as the area’s population grows an estimated 800,000 by 2040.
New passenger concourse opens at Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Mark Gottlieb joined federal, state and local officials and partners June 22 to celebrate the completion of the $22-million reconstruction of the train passenger concourse at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (MIS).
Leader named COO of WMATA
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) named Joseph Leader as the new chief operating officer (COO) in charge of rail, bus and paratransit services, effective August 1.
Four new GO Transit stations proposed in West Toronto
Ontario has proposed four new GO Train stations along the Barrie and Kitchener GO Transit lines as part of Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER) program.
Purple Line partners reach financial close
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and Purple Line Transit Partners, LLC, have signed the final financial documents on the $5.6-billion Purple Line Public-Private Partnership (P3) contract.
SEPTA readies for fourth annual Trolley Tunnel Blitz
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will perform power, track and station improvements during its Trolley Tunnel Blitz July 8 through July 10, temporarily suspending trolley routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36.