Boston-to-Concord rail study approved
New Hampshire’s Executive Council approved a $3.6-million contract to study options for passenger rail between Boston, Mass., and Concord, N.H.
Commuter/Regional
Rail partners explore Washington state mudslide causes, solutions
Four rail partners involved in service and safety in the corridor between Seattle and Everett, Wash., are putting a new focus on understanding the root causes and potential solutions to mudslides that resulted in a record number of Amtrak Cascades and Sounder passenger-service disruptions this winter.
FTA makes $2 billion available for public transit damaged by Sandy
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has made $2 billion available through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) new Emergency Relief Program
Upgrading Berkshires to NYC rail line could help local economy
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey and other state and local officials in Stockbridge, Mass., to highlight the economic benefits of an expanded passenger rail in the region.
Caltrain launches electrification environmental review
California’s Caltrain is kicking off environmental review of the electrification project with a series of public meetings to seek input on the scope of the review.
Grand Central turns 100
On Feb. 1, Grand Central Terminal in New York City celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Ridership up on Metro-North and LIRR
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad had its second highest ridership in 2012, providing 83 million rail rides, despite the lingering effects of Super Storm Sandy.
TEX Rail Environmental Assessment released for review
In Texas, the TEX Rail Environmental Assessment (EA) document is available for review, which presents an environmental analysis of changes to the project, since the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was completed.
Gov. Patrick highlights commitment to South Coast Rail
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined state and local leaders in New Bedford, Mass., to highlight the administration’s commitment to South Coast Rail as a key component of an investment plan to grow jobs and expand economic opportunity.
Gov. McDonnell unveils billion-dollar list of proposed rail and transit projects
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s long-term transportation funding proposal, “Virginia’s Road to the Future,” would provide the Virginia Department of Transportation with approximately $1.07 billion in new funds for rail and transit projects.
House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee ranking members named
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee selected subcommittee ranking members for each of its six panels.
LIRR begins public outreach on Double Track project
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road opened the first of two Double Track Information Centers along the Ronkonkoma Branch so customers and the public at large can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for a second track on existing LIRR property
RTA Board approves billion-dollar budget for Chicago area transportation
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors adopted the 2013 budget and two-year financial plan at a special RTA Board meeting on Jan. 16.
MassDOT’s transportation plan includes $3.8 billion in rail projects
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey set a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the commonwealth.
NCTD to begin Phase 2 of PTC project
North County Transit District in San Diego, Calif., plans to begin the second phase of Positive Train Control (PTC) system installation on all COASTER commuter trains Jan. 15.
Axion receives order from LIRR, ties undergo durability test
Axion International Holdings, Inc., recently worked with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and CTL Group to conduct independent, third party durability tests.
NJ Transit to restore full-service into New York post Superstorm Sandy
New NJ Transit rail schedules take effect on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, will include additional trains on the North Jersey Coast Line that will restore service levels into New York to 100 percent, reflecting the agency’s ongoing Hurricane Sandy recovery and repair.
Caltrain board elects officers
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board in California, which owns and operates Caltrain, unanimously elected Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, representing the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, as board chair. This is the second time that Yeager has held the position.
Metro-North Railroad turns 30
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North Railroad celebrated its 30th birthday on Jan. 1, 2013. The railroad says it has become the busiest and best passenger railroad in the country with a consistent on-time performance of better than 97 percent and a customer satisfaction rating of 93 percent.
USDOT finalizes changes to New Starts/Small Starts program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) finalized changes to its approach for administering New Starts/Small Starts program.