Commuter/Regional

NYCT launches second track improvement initiative

In New York a major track renewal and component replacement project along the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Queens Boulevard Line will begin on April 7. The track closure will be in effect 24 hours a day as the tracks and support equipment are completely replaced with new ties, tie blocks, plates and rails.

LACMTA to update the public on the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Study

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in cooperation with the city of Los Angeles, will hold three community meetings in April to update the public on the Alternatives Analysis study that is evaluating options to improve north-south travel opportunities in the East San Fernando Valley and provide connections to the regional transportation network. The AA study is a precursor to the draft environmental document.

RT&S launches “Rail Brief” weekly engineering newsletter

The editors of Railway Track & Structures are pleased to bring you “Rail Brief,” a weekly e-mail newsletter that brings breaking news about rail engineering and maintenance-of-way to your inbox. Whether it occurs on or off the track, RT&S “Rail Brief” will cover advancing projects, developing technologies and other updates on rail infrastructure.

SFMTA recommends two-year budget proposal with maintenance focus

The Transportation for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which oversees all transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), released proposals to balance the agency’s upcoming two-year budget. The proposals make a significant investment in maintenance that will increase Muni’s reliability, reduce overtime through adequate staffing and focus on key initiatives such as the Transit Effectiveness Project.

LIRR expands quiet car pilot program

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road is expanding its Quiet Car pilot program to include all peak hour trains on the Far Rockaway Branch and select rush hour trains on the Hempstead, Long Beach and West Hempstead branches beginning Monday, April 2.

CN sells two Toronto area lines to Metrolinx for GO Transit services

Canadian National sold two rail line segments in the Greater Toronto Area to Metrolinx for C$310.5 million (US$311.6 million).

GO Transit’s Richmond Hill commuter rail service operates over a portion of CN’s Bala Subdivision. Metrolinx is acquiring a segment of the subdivision from approximately Rosedale Valley Road north through the Don Valley to CN’s main east-west freight line north of Steeles Avenue near the Toronto-York Region border.

TEX Rail plans move forward with FTA approval

The Texas Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s TEX Rail commuter rail project has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration to advance to Preliminary Engineering.

The approval to enter PE will allow the authority to proceed with the engineering needed for construction.

New York MTA capital funds secured in deal

From the editors at Railway Age

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly has brokered a deal with Republican state legislative leaders to fully fund the last three years of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s five-year capital plan.

Trio of trusses

Planning, coordination and structural engineering magic come together
on a project to replace three century-old bridges in Massachusetts.

Caltrain modernization advanced by regional agreement

A regional agreement between the California High Speed Rail Authority and more than a half-dozen California Bay Area public agencies will fully fund the electrification and modernization of the Caltrain system, a long-planned, critically-needed improvement that will improve the service and help ensure the long-term viability of the commuter rail system.