Construction begins on Massachusetts South Action commuter station
In Massachusetts, ground broke on a new South Acton Commuter Rail Station, a project that will improve, expand and revitalize the busiest station on the Fitchburg Line.
Commuter/Regional
New York MTA submits balanced budget, Lhota resigns
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved the agency’s 2013 budget and four-year financial plan.
Local officials urge CN to allow Metra expanded service on Heritage Corridor
U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) was joined by more than 20 local officials in urging Canadian National to allow Chicago-area’s commuter railroad Metra to expand service on the Heritage Corridor Line and accommodate at least two additional trains a day.
NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line returns to full service Dec. 17
New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) Raritan Valley Line (RVL) will resume full-service starting Monday, Dec. 17, marking another milestone for customers in the transit system’s return to normalcy after Hurricane Sandy.
Three California commuter rail projects get state funds
The California Transportation Commission allocated $108.7 million to three commuter rail projects that will help ease traffic congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.
LIRR full rush service returns following signal repair
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will operate full morning and evening rush hour service beginning Monday, Dec. 10, as a result of Amtrak restoring the signal system capacity in one of its two flood-damaged East River tunnels.
GO Transit completes switch replacement program
GO Transit in Toronto, ON, Canada, replaced more than 100 switches throughout the Union Station Rail Corridor to move trains more quickly and efficiently in and out of Union Station.
Santa Clara VTA receives state funding to expand BART facilities
California Transportation Commission (CTC) has voted unanimously to allocate $50 million in state funding to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).
NJ Transit Gladstone Branch repairs to be completed Friday
Repairs to the New Jersey Transit Gladstone Branch of the Morris and Essex Lines will be completed on Friday, Nov. 30, with test trains scheduled to begin operations at that time.
Metrolink sets ridership record
In California, Metrolink experienced record ridership this Thanksgiving holiday. Operating the same number of trains as last year, Metrolink reported 4,448 Thanksgiving Day riders; a 36 percent increase from 2011.
Metro-North’s Port Jervis signalization project begins
A new signal system is being installed on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line that will increase safety and more efficiently control train speed.
FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery
U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.
CSX opens new TRANSFLO facility in Westborough
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray joined CSX, Town Manager Jim Malloy of Westborough and businesses to celebrate the opening of CSX’s TRANSFLO facility in Westborough, Mass.
NTSB praises Metrolink’s Commitment to Safety
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognized Southern California’s Metrolink as a national leader in the Positive Train Control (PTC) effort.
Michigan commuter line begins test run
Six newly refurbished commuter rail cars are being tested in southeast Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
Hudson River Tunnel clean up complete, expanded service begins between NJ and NY
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit passengers will be offered expanded service between New York City and New Jersey beginning Monday, November 12,
Amtrak to re-open NYC tunnels damaged by Sandy
Amtrak intends to re-open three tunnels that provide access to/from Penn Station New York (PSNY) by late Friday, Nov. 9, which were significantly flooded and damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Tough road to normalcy, longer road to recovery
Nearly a week after Hurricane Sandy slapped the Northeast, transportation providers are still scrambling to repair infrastructure and restore service.
SEPTA credits effort of work crews in Hurricane Sandy recovery
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority crews worked around the clock to fix damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, which moved through the Philadelphia, Pa., area on Monday, Oct. 29 and Tuesday, Oct. 30.
NY/NJ transportation continues its state of emergency
New York and New Jersey rail transit remains in a state of emergency while crews work at a non-stop pace to repair damage and restore service.