Sound Transit completes new Tukwila Sounder Station
On Feb. 18, Sound Transit completed the permanent Tukwila rail station.
Commuter/Regional
Metrolinx issues construction tender for expansion of Stouffville GO Line
Metrolinx in Toronto, ON, Canada, issued a construction tender to build a second track on a five-kilometer (three-mile) section of GO Transit’s Stouffville corridor to bring better transit to residents in Scarborough, Markham and Stouffville.
Denver Transit Partners Eagle P3 project qualifies for OSHA VPP
Denver Transit Partners’ work for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project was recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as qualifying for the Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
UIUC’s RailTEC receives federal grant to develop transit system track components
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received a $2.4-million, two-year grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
RTD begins Operation Lifesaver outreach program
Denver Regional Transportation District says “Safety first” is plastered on every light-rail vehicle for a reason – it’s the agency’s top priority.
Simmons-Boardman Rail Group awarded Railway Interchange 2015 event guide contract and electronic media partnership
Simmons-Boardman Rail Group, which consists of Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures (RT&S) and International Railway Journal (IRJ), has been awarded the event guide contract and emedia partner for Railway Interchange 2015.
MTA awards contract to build LIRR’s future terminal under Grand Central
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded a contract to GCT Constructors, JV, a joint venture consisting of Schiavone Construction Co. and John P. Picone Inc., to build the future Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse at Grand Central Terminal. The $404.8-million dollar contract, which with options could increase to a total of $428.9 million, was awarded after a competitive request for proposal process that drew nine other firms.
Funding for this contract will come from a federal grant through the Federal Transit Administration and MTA local funds.
Under the contract, workers will build the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical facilities, escalators and elevators, that will comprise the future LIRR 375,000 square-foot passenger train concourse and related ventilation plants at 44th and 50th Streets.
Work in the concourse includes building 17 deep escalators at 45th, 46th, 47th and 48th Streets and installing elevators connecting the LIRR passenger concourse to the train station caverns 140 feet below Park Avenue. The work also includes installation of emergency egress stairs and the associated architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical finishes and equipment.
The contract includes major civil work to create passenger connections from the new LIRR Concourse up to Grand Central’s Lower Level Dining Concourse, Grand Central’s Biltmore Room on the Upper Level, the 47th Street Cross Passageway and the 45th Street cross passageway.
The contract also requires mechanical and electrical fit-out of ventilation buildings at 44th and 50th Streets, including installation of eight large fans, as well as associated system equipment.
“This world class project will be an economic game-changer for New York City and Long Island. There is no other transit infrastructure project in the United States that is as complex as East Side Access or carries as much economic promise for the region it will serve,” said MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast.
RTD presents final list of Southeast Rail Extension bidders
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) staff presented a final list of four teams to its board of directors to bid on building out the Southeast Rail Extension Feb. 3.
Rep. Maloney aims to reauthorize rail safety legislation to improve crossings safety
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) introduced the Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act to help improve safety at grade crossings following the Metro-North train versus vehicle accident February 3. The bill will reauthorize the Rail Line Relocation & Improvement Capital Grant Program (RLR) at $100 million per year for the next four years.
Metro-North crews repair tracks, service returns to Harlem Line
Metro-North train service resumed on the Harlem Line February 5 for the first time since a collision February 3 between a passenger train and a vehicle near Valhalla Station in Valhalla.
Proposed FY16 budget includes $3.2 billion for transit
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx highlighted $3.2 billion recommended in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget to advance the construction or completion of 25 rail, bus rapid transit (BRT) and streetcar projects in 13 states.
Proposed FY16 budget includes six-year surface transportation solution; generous rail funds
President Obama unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which includes a six-year $478-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal that contains rail funding sources through the Generating Renewal, Opportu¬nity, and Work with Accelerated Mobility, Efficiency, and Rebuilding of Infrastructure and Communities throughout America (GROW AMERICA) Act.
Budget proposal includes funds for LACMTA Purple Line, SMART rail extension
President Obama’s proposed FY16 Budget includes $100 million for the second section of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Purple Line Extension Project. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, business, environmental, labor and community leaders applauded the inclusion of these funds as an important step in keeping LACMTA’s planned subway construction toward West Los Angeles on track.
LIRR plans Mid-Suffolk Yard expansion
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) opened the Mid-Suffolk Train Yard Information Center at Ronkonkoma Station so customers and community residents can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for enlarging its train yard in Ronkonkoma.
Metra names top administrative officer
Metra has appointed John Milano to deputy executive director for administration, effective Feb. 1.
Sen. Sanders wants $1 trillion for nation’s infrastructure
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the Senate Budget Committee ranking member, has introduced legislation to rebuild America’s crumbling network of roads, bridges and transit systems and other infrastructure projects. The five-year plan would invest $1 trillion and create or maintain at least 13 million decent-paying jobs, says Sanders.
UP, Metra activate new pedestrian crossing system at Wheaton, Ill., station
A new pedestrian grade-crossing system was activated at the Wheaton, Ill., Metra station along the Union Pacific West Line on January 26. The system was activated at the Maywood, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue, Winfield and Geneva stations in 2011.
Minnesota Gov. Dayton reveals plan to fix state infrastructure
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a plan to fix Minnesota’s aging transportation systems, which would invest $6 billion over the next 10 years to address the state’s highway funding deficit, invest $2.356 billion in local government transportation projects and provide $2.92 billion for Metro and Greater Minnesota transit systems. The Governor’s proposal would create an estimated 119,000 new jobs and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.
Study of Chicago RTA shows region’s public transport infrastructure needs $36 billion
According to a study released by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), mass transit providers in Northeastern Illinois do not receive the funds necessary from federal and state sources to address reinvestment needs.
Gov. Cuomo outlines goals for N.Y. infrastructure, wants train to LaGuardia
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed his “2015 Opportunity Agenda” initiative, which includes a six-point plan outlining his vision to strengthen and modernize New York’s infrastructure, including an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport.