Metro-North is starting 2015 with rebuilding efforts and attention to major safety initiatives. The track improvements that defined 2014 are moving along and the railroad also expects continued progress as the last of the 405 M-8 cars are placed into service on the New Haven Line this spring.
La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has entered into an agreement with the Québec government establishing a business model for the execution of major infrastructure projects. The model updates the government’s business practices by entrusting la Caisse with the execution of infrastructure projects, which will speed up their delivery and strengthen Québec’s economic growth. For la Caisse, the deal represents an opportunity to grow Quebecers’ savings by developing and operating assets that will generate commercial returns.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says rail tank cars that carry crude oil, ethanol and other hazardous materials across the country must do it more safely, which is why it is one of four new issues on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List for 2015.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has made selections for the committee’s six subcommittee chairmen and the full committee vice chairman for the 114th Congress.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on Jan. 8 toured the Meriden train station on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail corridor, which is the site of an ongoing transit-oriented development (TOD) project with a primary focus on stimulating the area within a half-mile of the proposed new Meriden Intermodal Center.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) appointed Jack Requa as interim general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) and commended the service of General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles, who is retiring on January 16. Requa, who joined WAMTA in April 1998, is currently the assistant general manager for Bus Services.
New Jersey Transit is expanding its Quiet Commute program to trains on the Atlantic City Rail Line, operating between Philadelphia, Pa., and Atlantic City, N.J. The program goes into effect January 20 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays.
Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Art Leahy’s last day of service will be April 5, 2015, when his current contract expires. Leahy, who started his transportation career as a bus operator and became one of the nation’s leading transit officials, has headed LACMTA for six years.
In anticipation of the January 2015 release of the Draft North Carolina Comprehensive State Rail Plan, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has issued the Plan’s Executive Summary.
President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.
The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2015 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, anticipates carrying more than 32 million riders and prepares for a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.
Jim Boxold has been named Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, (FDOT) effective January 3, 2015.
New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) has completed a three-year, $2.5-million project to stabilize and restore the historic Red Bank Station.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) appointed David Kubicek to senior vice president operations, Bruce Pohlot to senior vice president engineering and Edward Dumas vice president market development and public affairs, effective December 29.
The Metra Board of Directors highlighted the need for the $1-billion 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (CIP), which aims to untangle a knot of railroad tracks on the South Side of Chicago, Ill., that causes significant delays for Metra, Amtrak and several freight railroads.
After leading the organization for more than two years, Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Michael DePallo will step down from his post January 2 to pursue other opportunities.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners adopted a $2.9-billion Operating Budget and a $3.6-billion Capital Budget. Combined, together with debt service, the budget for 2015 totals $7.8 billion.
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $254 million for 41 transportation projects that it says will enhance the safety and mobility of Californians throughout the state. The allocation includes $102 million for rail projects.
The House and Senate’s effort to keep the federal government operating through the end of fiscal year 2015 was revealed late Tuesday in the form of a trillion-dollar-plus spending bill, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015.
In New Mexico, Rail Runner has made safety improvements at crossings in Santa Fe, following a collaborative four-month review of the crossings by Rio Metro Regional Transit District, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) and the city of Santa Fe.