FRA issues Gulf Coast passenger rail report; Class 1s not fully on board

A report submitted to Congress on July 17 says restored Gulf Coast Amtrak service would expand travel markets; improve access to jobs, education and healthcare; reduce vehicular congestion and provide support for disaster and emergency response during coastal storm events.

DelDOT breaks ground for Newark Regional Transportation Center

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) celebrated the groundbreaking for the Newark Regional Transportation Center, parking lot and access road on July 17.

Private investors plan metro-Ottawa passenger rail

Plans for privately-financed 250-mile commuter rail network centered on Ottawa and Gatineau took a step forward on July 1, when the Moose Consortium of eight local companies exchanged letters of intent with a consortium of LeMine Investment Group and Consortia N.A. (LeMine-ConsortiaNA) to assess the business and technical potential of the project.

Geotechnical work underway along portion of California project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its contractor Kleinfelder are currently performing geotechnical work along State Route 152 in the Pacheco Pass.

FRA issues ROD on NEC FUTURE

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) FUTURE program that details a long-term vision for the corridor to improve and grow passenger rail service at a cost between $121 billion and $153 billion.

Rep. Frelinghuysen explains the $900M for Gateway Program in THUD bill

A New Jersey congressman, who happens to chair the committee responsible for appropriating funds for transportation programs, explains the funds allocated for the Gateway Program will advance a project that is critical to the U.S. economy.

Progress continues for new accessible Schenectady Station

Demolition of the Schenectady Station is underway. The new, fully accessible rail station, which will connect travelers to places like New York City and Niagara Falls, has a projected cost of $23 million.

House Appropriations Committee THUD bill: TIGER eliminated; preserves other grants

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill July 10.

Sens. Schumer, Booker renew call to fund Gateway Program

U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) renewed their call for the Gateway Program to advance with funding commitments.

Batory picked for FRA chief

The White House on July 10 announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate Ronald L. Batory, who recently retired as president and chief operating officer of Conrail, as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

CTC to invest nearly $85 million toward passenger and port rail projects

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

Hudson Tunnel DEIS identifies $13-billion preferred alternative

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

Allowing market forces to improve rail safety

Legislation to improve rail safety through amplified use of the free-market forces of competition and innovation has been introduced in the Senate by Surface Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

Moynihan Train Hall project gets $537.1-million TIFIA loan

The New York State Urban Development Corporation D/B/A Empire State Development (ESD) has secured a $537.1 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for the Moynihan Train Hall Redevelopment Project.

Illinois Sens.: FASTLANE change could delay key rail projects

A pair of U.S. senators from Illinois say the restructuring of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program could delay progress on two key rail projects: the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project and Merchants Railroad Bridge Project.

Transit security legislation enters U.S. House

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3) introduced Securing America’s Facilities, Equipment, and Rail: Taking Responsibility for American National Security in Transit (SAFER TRANSIT) Act “to better secure [the] country’s public transit systems.”

USDOT rebrands FASTLANE grants as INFRA grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program.

Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board approves Six-Year Improvement Program

The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved the latest Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

Anderson, former airline CEO, to succeed Moorman at Amtrak

Amtrak has named longtime aviation executive Richard Anderson as its president and chief executive officer, effective July 12.

WSP USA’s new tunnel doctor

Dr. Axel Nitschke has been named a tunnel practice leader in the Washington, D.C. office of WSP USA (formerly WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff).

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