CalSTA awards $4.3 billion to California transit and intercity rail projects through grants, funding agreements

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) awarded $2.6 billion in Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grants to 28 recipients. CalSTA is also providing additional funding for seven projects through multi-year funding agreements, bringing the total awarded to more than $4.3 billion.

FRA seminars to help communicate training and drug testing rules

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) plans to hold three seminars across the country to discuss regulations pertaining to drug testing and safety-related employee training.

Move over TIGER, USDOT ready to BUILD

The U.S. Department of Transportation is retiring the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program name and will award the $1.5 billion available in discretionary grant funding as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants.

Gov. Malloy opens Meridian Station; calls for stable transportation funding

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, alongside Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker and numerous federal and state officials, held a ceremony to commemorate the grand opening of the new CTRail Hartford Line Meriden Station on April 19.

GOP delegation pushing for potential Gateway funding to be rescinded

U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) sent a letter April 19 to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, which urged him to advise President Trump to rescind recent funding that could be used to move the Gateway Program forward.

HNTB adds Tripousis as associate vice president

Ben Tripousis has joined HNTB Corporation as associate vice president and senior program manager. He is based in the firm’s San Jose, Calif., office.

Hartford Line to open on June 16

The Hartford Line will begin service on June 16, following a commemorative event on June 15, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx issue RFQ, RFP for two GO Transit projects

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for two projects that will help expand GO Transit rail service to improve the movement of people around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Rail data security bills head to U.S. Senate

Two rail data and information security bills passed the U.S. House of Representatives on April 10, 2018. The two pieces of legislation, STB Information and Security Act (H.R. 4921) and The FRA Safety Data Improvement Act (H.R. 4925), now move to the Senate.

Amtrak outlines summer renewal work

Amtrak will continue its Infrastructure Renewal program at New York Penn Station this summer, performing reconstruction work on The Empire Tunnel and the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, as well as carrying out renewal work on Track 19.

 

SMART union addresses FRA interest in autonomous trains

The International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers urged union members in an April 9 post on its website to take notice of a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has request for information (RFI) about autonomous trains.

 

APTA taps McCarragher as vice president for Government Affairs

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has announced the appointment of Capitol Hill veteran Ward W. McCarragher as vice president of Government Affairs, effective April 9.

 

Ontario commits to funding Toronto-Windsor high-speed rail

Ontario has committed an initial investment of more than CA$11 billion (US$8.6 billion) to make high-speed rail service between Toronto and Windsor a reality as early as 2025.

Three teams vie for Milton GO Station, facility contract

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have invited three teams to submit proposals for two stations and an operations facility along the Milton GO Corridor.

Metra plans to perform 54 safety blitzes in 2018

Metra will conduct 54 Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes in 2018 at 54 train stations across its service six-county region around Chicago. Metra says the blitzes are part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.

Two RFQs issued for GO rail expansion project

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued two Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for the next phase of the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) expansion.

Loram hosts Sen. Klobuchar for facility tour; policy discussion

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), speaking just a few miles from where she grew up, told a crowd of Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., employees that the work they do is the backbone of where the country needs to go.

Omnibus FY18: A little bit of good news for a lot of the rail industry

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill on Thursday, March 22. The president signed the legislation (even though his Twitter activity suggested otherwise) to avoid a government shutdown, but noted his displeasure saying there were elements of the legislation he was not happy about.

European partnership looks to develop smart ties

Crossties capable of data collection will be the development focus of a new partnership between technology and consulting firm Indra and Greenrail, an Italian producer of eco-sustainable crossties.

Amtrak to rename Rochester station for Rep. Louise Slaughter

Amtrak will rename its Rochester Intermodal Station the “Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station in Rochester,” U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced this week.

 

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