Rail contractors at the ready to aid with Northeast cleanup
The recovery effort from Hurricane Sandy will be a monumental affair that will last weeks, if not months.
Commuter/Regional
BART, Caltrain mark ridership milestones
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) all-time ridership record was broken Oct. 31, with 568,061 exits reported.
Free limited commuter and subway service returns to New York, Unwatering Team arrives on scene
New York area commuters now have free access to limited service on Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and New York City Transit lines.
New York update: Limited subway and commuter rail service to return
Limited commuter and subway service will return to New York beginning Wednesday afternoon.
Most East Coast passenger and freight rail service returning to normal
Outside of the New York Metropolitan area, passenger and freight rail service is returning to normal operation with residual delays.
New York area still days away from regular passenger rail service
Water is the biggest hurdle the New York area is facing in its fight to restore commuter and subway service. While bus service has been restored, it will likely be days before New York Metropolitan Transit Authority subway and commuter trains and NJ Transit service resumes.
Sandy leaves freight, passenger rail service stunned
Freight and passenger rail providers across the Northeast scrambled Tuesday morning to assess damage left by Hurricane Sandy and restore service where possible.
East Coast braces for Sandy’s impact
Frankenstorm, super storm, perfect storm, call it what you will, Hurricane Sandy has launched East Coast passenger and freight rail operations into a flurry of activity to prepare for the approaching wind and rain associated with the Category 1 tempest.
CTC grants funds to three California rail projects
The California Transportation Commission has allocated approximately $102.7 million to three rail projects that will provide better transit, increase intermodal opportunities and reduce highway congestion.
Metrolink to celebrate 20 years
The west coast’s largest commuter rail system, Metrolink, will celebrate 20 years of service on October 26. To date, Metrolink has transported more than 100 million people throughout Southern California.
DelDOT unveils $53 million third track project
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has now launched the Delaware Third Track Construction Project. The project involves the addition of a third track along a 1.5-mile segment between Ragan and Brandy Interlockings on the Northeast Corridor, south of Wilmington near Banning Park.
CREATE Belmont Road grade separation completed
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn joined state and local officials and representatives of Metra and BNSF on October 17 to mark the completion of the Belmont Road grade separation project in DuPage County, Ill.
Caltrans and partners restore former L.A. Union Station tracks, platforms
On October 17, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Amtrak, Metrolink and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority celebrated the opening of three new Los Angeles Union Station tracks and a platform to serve Amtrak and Metrolink passengers.
Maryland Board of Public Works awards Bombardier operating contract for MARC’s Camden and Brunswick lines
Maryland Board of Public Works awarded a $204,686,938-contract to Bombardier Transportation for the operations and maintenance of the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) MARC Train Camden and Brunswick lines. The award will be spread over a five-year, eight-month contract term. The contract also includes a five-year renewal option, valued at $205,000,000.
Railway Association of Canada names winners of the 2012 Safety Awards
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) selected the winners of the 2012 Safety Awards. The awards were presented as part of the RAC’s Canadian Rail Summit and annual meeting held in Montreal.
OneRail writes Obama and Romney campaigns urging support of rail networks
The OneRail Coalition, an alliance of freight and passenger stakeholders, has issued letters to the Obama and Romney presidential campaigns emphasizing the importance of the nation’s rail networks.
Five Metrolink crossings to be improved
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved $7.8 million for five Metrolink grade crossing safety improvement projects. The CTC decided to allocate the Proposition 1B Highway Railroad Crossing Safety Account (HRCSA) funding at its September monthly meeting.
CalAmp to provide PTC radios for Metrolink
CalAmp Corp., provider of wireless products, services and solutions, has been awarded a contract to supply wireless communications devices for an interoperable Positive Train Control (PTC) system for the Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s (SCRRA) Metrolink commuter rail network.
Massachusetts five-year capital plan puts spotlight on infrastructure investment
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick unveiled his Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-2017 Capital Investment Plan, which he said continues the Patrick-Murray Administration’s efforts to support long-term economic growth and stimulate job creation by calling for significant investments in higher education, transportation, economic development, housing and other infrastructure and assets.
Metro-North’s Harlem River Lift Bridge to undergo cable replacement project
A crucial bridge that provides the only access into Manhattan for all Metro-North trains traveling to and from Grand Central Terminal is due for a major upgrade, the railroad said on Oct. 9.