The White House Office of Management and Budget, Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Department of Transportation says the Obama Administration will take steps to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, including an enhanced Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard, new guidance to federal agencies establishing metrics for the permitting and environmental review of infrastructure projects.
In its first report to the legislature, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) detailed underlying problems at the MBTA that are even more serious and deep-seated than reported in April by the Special Panel to Review the authority.
The Metra Board of Directors has formally called on Congress to extend the Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to install Positive Train Control (PTC), agreeing with a staff analysis that in the current regulatory environment, Metra will not be able to legally operate beyond that date.
September 18 marked 15 years of steadily growing ridership since the Puget Sound region’s commuters first climbed aboard Sounder commuter trains. Since Sounder began operating in 2000, more than 29 million people have used the popular commuter and game day service.
Laura Mohr joined HNTB Corporation as vice president and rail and transit group director in one of the firm’s Los Angeles offices.
As part of its efforts to reduce costs and hold the line on spending, $5.7 million in Metra savings and efficiencies will be incorporated into the agency’s 2016 annual budget plan.
SNC-Lavalin has named Neil Bruce president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, succeeding Robert Card, who will retire. Bruce will begin in his new role October 5, 2015.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the process of Positive Train Control implementation. Bottom line: Most railroads will not meet the deadline.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to President Barack Obama outlining what they call “a viable funding framework to break the logjam over funding for a new trans-Hudson commuter rail tunnel.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded 21 organizations around the country with a share of $19.5 million in grants to support comprehensive planning projects that improve access to public transit.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will air findings on a study to expand regional intercity passenger rail service at three public meetings to be held in Massachusetts and Vermont in September.
State and federal officials along with project partners celebrated the opening of TriMet’s MAX Orange Line on Sept. 12 with an Inaugural Ride as part of the daylong festivities.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners, began testing trains along the East Rail A Line on Sept. 11 and 12.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast is pointing to a Sept. 10 derailment to highlight the need for additional funds to keep the system is a state of good repair.
Talks Sept. 10 between Amtrak, Connecticut and federal officials resulted in a pledge to move the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield project forward. However, a plan will not be solidified until the end of the month.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) successfully rolled a new bridge for the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line into place on Saturday, Aug. 29.
The North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted the 2015 Comprehensive State Rail Plan at its meeting on August 5, 2015. The Rail Plan was created to identify near- and long-term freight, passenger and safety projects, in addition to other rail initiatives that will help better serve the state’s communities, businesses and industries.
To highlight the importance of safety around trains, the Caltrain Board adopted a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month.
Gary Smith has been named rail sector lead for Stantec’s freight rail team, accountable for growing Stantec’s freight and commuter rail services throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Parsons has been selected by Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail operator, to install Positive Train Control (PTC) on its trains.