Simplified Green Line Extension plan approved by MassDOT, MBTA FMCB

The planned Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line Extension (GLX) has been approved to proceed in a simplified version following months of project re-evaluation.

RailWorks hosts elected officials for tour of Minnesota facility

On May 6, Minnesota State Representative Jon Koznick and Lynda Boudreau, staff for U.S. Representative John Kline, joined GoRail and National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) shared member company – RailWorks Corporation – for a tour of its facility in Lakeville, Minn.

Event highlights $10M TIGER grant to extend Vermont passenger rail

An event held in Burlington, Vt., placed the spotlight on a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) that will be used to extend passenger rail from New York City to Burlington.

Caltrain Modernization Program secures additional funds

Caltrain’s Modernization Program received an additional $211 million investment following a seven-party agreement adopted by the agency’s board of directors on May 5, 2016.

Steps taken to engage public for LIRR triple track project

In a bid to make good on a promise to promote community engagement surrounding the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Expansion Project, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out plans for public meetings, launched a new website and committed to expedited crossing improvements.

Metrolink California rail projects funding

Metrolink preps for 91/Perris Valley Line opening with additional testing

Metrolink will increase testing of trains along the 91/Perris Valley Line between Perris and Riverside, Calif.

Metrolink names CFO

Ronnie Campbell, a veteran financial expert with more than 25 years of budget and finance experience, will join Metrolink as its chief financial officer on May 23. Campbell has been with the city of Camarillo since 2007, serving as the city’s department of finance director.

Officials tour the new RTD maintenance facility

On May 3, 2016, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman’s (R-CO-6) chief of staff and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-CO-4) regional director joined the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Inc. (REMSA), for a tour of a new commuter rail maintenance facility (CRMF).

HNTB adds Haboian as SVP and chief business development officer; Giamario to New Jersey office

Kevin Haboian has joined HNTB Corporation in the new position of chief business development officer and senior vice president, where he will support the firm’s growth within the transportation sector across the United States.

FRA makes $25 million available for rail infrastructure safety upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is now accepting applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in competitive grants to increase rail safety. Applications are due by June 14, 2016.

Metra meets on-time goal for 13th consecutive month

Chicago’s Metra completed its 13th straight month of meeting or exceeding its on-time performance goal in March 2016, posting an on-time performance rate of 96.8 percent for the month. The rate exceeded the five-year average for the month of March of 96.3 percent.

Gov. Nathan Deal signs MARTA expansion legislation

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed S.B. 369, a bill that empowers the city of Atlanta to hold a fall ballot referendum asking voters to support a half-penny sales tax to expand the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) system.

South Shore taps double-track dollars

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) Board of the Directors took another step toward expanding commuter access to Chicago with a $1.6-million matching grant to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) to help fund $4 million in preliminary engineering and environmental work for the South Shore double tracking project.

THUD allocates $56.5 billion to fund transportation

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development passed $56.5 billion legislation to fund its programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, including several allocations for rail.

J-Track LLC names Dorris VP/GM of new Central Division

J-Track LLC will open a new railroad construction and maintenance company in the Chicagoland area on May 1. The new company, J-Track LLC Central Division, will be led by Vice President and General Manager, Bill Dorris.

Parsons adds Abruzzo as rail bridge leader

Parsons has hired Joseph Abruzzo as its railroad bridge practice leader, where he will be responsible for directing the pursuit and execution of railroad bridge projects worldwide.

NYCT installs composite ties as part of Staten Island project

As Earth Day approaches and as part of recommendations from a blue-ribbon commission tasked with reducing the impact of public transit on the environment, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) has installed approximately 6,500 sustainable composite ties in a major Staten Island Railway (SIR)

MTA to expand sleep apnea screening of employees

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has decided to expand its successful sleep apnea testing program for employees.

Wabtec lands NICTD PTC contract

Wabtec Corporation signed a contract to provide equipment and services for a Positive Train Control (PTC) system to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).

FTA updates Congress on WMATA Metrorail safety oversight

The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) provided an update to its safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) system during a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

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