Bureau of Reclamation clears California HSR project for irrigation pipe relocations

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation has finalized an environmental analysis of a proposal to replace or relocate irrigation pipelines in the Central Valley to accommodate guideways for the Merced to Fresno section of California’s high-speed rail project.

Ontario establishes HSR advisory board for Toronto-Windsor link

Ontario is establishing a High-Speed Rail (HSR) Planning Advisory Board to provide strategic support and community engagement as the province pursues plans to build a high-speed connection between Toronto and Windsor.

Portal Bridge replacement project officially begins

A ground breaking ceremony was held Oct. 31 for the replacement of the Portal Bridge, a two-track 110-year-old swing span structure linking New Jersey and New York City.

Griffin joins Amtrak as EVP and chief marketing officer

Amtrak has named marketing expert J. Timothy “Tim” Griffin as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Siemens invests in Wi-Tronix

Siemens has made a “significant strategic equity investment” in Wi-Tronix, a supplier of remote monitoring, video analytics, and predictive diagnostic systems for rail rolling stock and infrastructure and other industrial markets.

Amtrak: We’re “Ready to Build”

Amtrak says its “Ready to Build” and a new campaign highlights five projects the railroad has deemed critical in order to realize a “renewed, modern passenger rail system.”

Railway Interchange 2017 a record-setter

Organizers for Railway Interchange, North America’s largest railway industry exhibition and technical conference, report that the 2017 event, held in Indianapolis Sept. 17-20, posted total registered attendance of 8,150, with a record-breaking 738 exhibitors. There were 1,099 international attendees and 108 international exhibitors representing 46 countries.

California high-speed project meets ARRA funding deadline

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) says it has met federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 requirements by fully investing the more than $2.55 billion granted to the state since 2009 to build the nation’s first high-speed rail system.

FRA issues Record of Decision for Atlanta to Chattanooga passenger route

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Tier I combined Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the High-Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) project that will ultimately connect Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tenn.

LACMTA seeks P3s to accelerate Measure M

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is moving forward with a series of public-private partnerships (P3s) in efforts to expedite Measure M transportation projects.

USDOT looks to align FRA, FTA and FHWA environmental regs

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Sept. 28 that will “harmonize” the environmental review process between the three highway, transit and railroad agencies.

Transit agencies holding events for Rail Safety Week

Transit agencies around the United States are taking part in the first U.S. Rail Safety Week to support the efforts of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and promote safe behavior around rail property.

Amtrak CUS Great Hall work under way

Amtrak’s $22-million project to restore and improve historic Chicago Union Station’s Great Hall is under way. The year-long project will result in a public space painted in its original colors, and made brighter by a restored and protected skylight with improved lighting.

BNSF, WSDOT awarded W.W. Hay Award

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2017 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to BNSF and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the Improvements for Passenger Rail Service and Reliability on BNSF Railway in Washington State project.

U.S. House passes FY18 omnibus spending bill

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $1.2-trillion omnibus package to provide all discretionary funding for the federal government for the 2018 fiscal year.

Metra awards $21.6-million contract for Fox River bridge

Metra’s Board of Directors has awarded a $21.6-million contract to replace the 136-year-old Fox River bridge to Illinois Constructors Corporation of Elburn.

Operation Lifesaver previews Rail Safety Week

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) provided a preview of the activities and sponsors of the upcoming inaugural U.S. Rail Safety Week (RSW).

RFP stage closes for Stouffville GO station improvements

The Request for Proposals (RFP) stage has closed for teams to submit their bids to design, build and finance GO Transit station improvements on the Stouffville GO Corridor for the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program.

CHSRA appoints Post, Rodriguez

California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) appointed Thomas Post as director of engineering and Alice Rodriguez as deputy director of external affairs.

FRA issues Southeast HSR DEIS

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Sept. 8 announced completion of the Tier II Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 123-mile section of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor linking Washington, D.C. to south of Richmond, Va.

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