United States Department of Transportation awarded $511 million in TIGER III discretionary grants to 46 capital construction projects in 33 states, of which $279 million of funding will go to rail-related projects.
A joint venture between AECOM Technology Corporation, its Tishman Construction arm, and STV, was awarded a $19 million contract by the Moynihan Station Development Corporation in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Portland-area TriMet’s ridership during the month of October showed strong upward trends and reached new records. For the month, there were 8.8 million trips taken on buses, MAX and WES Commuter Rail, up more than two percent compared to October 2010.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the overwhelming demand for TIGER grants has once again far surpassed the available funding.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors, which oversees all surface transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway (Muni), held a ceremony to rename Muni’s Geneva Yard for SFMTA board member and transit advocate Cameron Beach.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey appointed Jean Fox manager of the South Coast Rail project. A Freetown resident, who serves on the Board of Selectmen, Fox has worked at the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board since 2007.
“We have built positive state and local partnerships during the planning process for South Coast Rail and with Jean’s strong connection to the community, we anticipate these will continue,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “South Coast Rail is a priority that will deliver real economic benefits for the region for decades to come and I look forward to working with Jean as we move this project forward.”
As manager of the project to bring commuter rail service to Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton, Fox’s responsibilities will include securing funding for construction and operation of the lines, shepherding the project through the environmental review and permitting process and keeping the public fully engaged throughout the design phase.
“South Coast Rail is a priority for the Patrick-Murray Administration and the communities in the region,” said Fox. “My predecessor, Kristina Egan, made great strides during her tenure in catalyzing public engagement and enthusiasm for commuter rail service that will build on the region’s many assets. This project will also enhance growth an opportunities for South Coast residents and businesses.”
She begins her new job at MassDOT September 12.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates Caltrain in the San Francisco Bay Area, approved a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month at its monthly board meeting. The proclamation was accepted by Vic Ryerson on behalf of Operation Lifesaver, an internationally renowned program promoting rail safety.
Wabtec Corporation has signed a contract to provide braking equipment to Bombardier Transportation Canada, Inc., which is building 100 new commuter rail cars for New Jersey Transit.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority rail yard for the Red and Purple Line subway is the first major rail maintenance facility in the nation to earn international recognition for its environmental management system.
Wabtec Corporation has signed a $27 million contract with Parsons to provide equipment and services for the implementation of Positive Train Control at Metrolink in California. Parsons was awarded a contract in 2010 to manage and implement PTC across Metrolink’s 512-mile system.
The Wickford Junction/North Kingstown Station in Rhode Island, which received $4.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars will receive an additional $13.6 million New Starts grant to extend existing commuter rail service an additional 20 miles from Providence to Boston starting in 2012.
Plans for an MBTA commuter rail station at the South Bay Shopping Center in Roxbury, Mass., moved a step closer to reality as the state issued a request for proposals for the $12-million project, the Boston Herald reports.
Oklahoma could soon have a commuter rail transportation system to get people to and from work and ease travel, the Tulsa Beacon reports. State Rep. Charlie Joyner has been working to make that a possibility. Joyner met with representatives from Trinity Railroad Express, BNSF, Amtrak and Dallas Area Rapid Transit this week in Fort Worth to discuss the possibility of getting a commuter rail system in Oklahoma. He discussed the projected costs and pros and cons.