Jacobs awarded design contract for Valley Metro light-rail extension
The Valley Metro Rail Board has unanimously approved a design contract with Jacobs Engineering, Inc., for Northwest Phase II Light Rail Extension.
Commuter/Regional
Watco seeks passenger rail operator for Sooner Sub
The Stillwater Central Railroad, an indirect subsidiary of Watco Companies, LLC, is seeking comprehensive proposals from passenger rail service providers to operate passenger rail service called the Eastern Flyer. The Stillwater Central
OCTA names Bergener as COO
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has appointed industry veteran Jennifer Bergener to the company’s newly-created position of Chief Operating Officer. OCTA said Bergener will hold the role, which is intended to
Kimberly Farley joins Sound Transit as deputy CEO
Sound Transit has appointed Kimberly Farley as the agency’s deputy chief executive officer, a role the company says will help to expand regional transit services throughout the Central Puget Sound region. “Kimberly
MBTA studying feasibility of building rail tunnel connecting north, south networks
A draft study by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has found connecting its north and south commuter rail networks via a rail tunnel would add up to 25 percent capacity, but
LACMTA, L.A. County partner on transportation school
The Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the County of Los Angeles have partnered on the launch of their Transportation School, which is intended to prepare Los Angeles County youth for
Elegudin to serve as first MTA accessibility chief
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) President Andy Byford has announced the selection of Alex Elegudin as the agency’s first systemwide accessibility chief. In this role, Elegudin will oversee
Hartford Line open for service
Federal, state and local officials hailed the opening of the Hartford Line in Connecticut over the weekend as an investment in economic growth and development.
Tutor Perini JV to bore LACMTA Purple Line Extension tunnels
The Frontier-Kemper/Tutor Perini Joint Venture has received a notice of intent to award a contract from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for the Purple Line Extension Section 3 Tunnels
BNSF files for PTC deadline extension, cites interoperability challenges
BNSF Railway, citing interoperability issues, has filed a two-year extension request of the Positive Train Control (PTC) deadline with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Agreement to provide $600M for Portal Bridge construction
New Jersey Transit’s Board of Directors on June 13 approved a financing agreement with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) that provides up to $600 million toward the construction of the
FTA certifies Oregon’s SSO Program, total now sits at 14 out of 30
Oregon has obtained certification of its State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); bringing the number of states to obtain the certification to 14.
TriMet names Henderson as COO
TriMet General Manager Doug Kelsey has tapped Maurice Henderson II as TriMet’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Henderson joins TriMet from the city of Portland, where he served as Mayor Ted Wheeler’s
Amtrak marks PTC progress on BNSF lines
Amtrak, working with BNSF, will the week of June 11 implement Positive Train Control (PTC) on BNSF-owned subdivisions that host the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr, marking the first activation on host-owned
LACMTA evaluating six rail options for Sepulveda Transit Corridor
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is holding a series of three community meetings to discuss six concepts for a future rail line for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project.
LIRR partners with Waze for crossing safety initiative
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Waze, a crowd-sourced traffic and GPS navigation software, are collaborating in an effort to improve safety for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) passengers.
D’Orazio to WSP transit and rail
Julie D’Orazio has been named national market leader for transit and rail at engineering and professional services consultancy WSP USA.
FRA to hold three symposia to discuss PTC
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will hold three symposia in Washington, D.C., throughout the summer to answer questions and address best practices surrounding the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
Dumbarton Rail Bridge could see service return with new agreement
The feasibility of advancing the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor will be explored thanks to an agreement between the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) Board of Directors; Facebook, Inc., and Plenary Group.
INFRA grants: $148M to CREATE and Ohio rail projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recommended 26 projects to be awarded a total of $1.54 billion in federal funds as part of the FY18 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. USDOT had up to $1.56 billion available for grants.