Partners in the Gateway Program have outlined steps to move it forward including the allocation of $70 million for preliminary engineering, a federal pledge to streamline environmental reviews and finalization of development corporation structure.
High-speed rail construction projects have frequently required long tunnels to reduce travel time and distance. With the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) considering a 16-mile long tunnel along the Palmdale to Burbank project section, the Mineta Transportation Institute looked into similar tunnels already constructed around the world.
Construction began March 11 on track and signal improvements at the King Street Station in Seattle, Wash. The work is part of the $50.4-million King Street Station Track Improvements project overseen by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) the green light to enter the six-mile Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II Extension into the project development phase of the Federal New Starts funding program.
HNTB Corporation promoted Jeff Konrad, PE, to vice president of rail in Pennsylvania District. The firm also expanded its team of transportation professionals within its New York and Pennsylvania offices.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is soliciting applications for a new grant program authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
The economic benefits and number of passengers anticipated by the Coast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Ridership and Cost Estimate Study justify moving the Detroit to Grand Rapids, Mich., project forward, according to project manager Liz Treutel Callin, transportation policy associate for the Michigan Environmental Council.
The Railway Association of Canada has created a Parliamentary Rail Caucus to be chaired by Sherry Romanado, Liberal Member of Parliament for Longueuil-Charles-LeMoyne, Quebec, and co-chaired by Marilyn Gladu, Conservative Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will make $500 million available for transportation projects across the country under an eighth round of the successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released the Draft 2016 Business Plan, a foundational document for implementing the California High-Speed Rail program that reflects the transition from planning to construction to providing passenger service. Overall capital costs are reduced from $67.6 billion to $64.2 billion.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has called on state departments of transportation to verify that railroad crossing warning systems interconnected to traffic lights function properly and urged states to add event recorders to traffic lights connected to railroad crossing systems so information obtained during inspections can be used to improve safety. Across the United States, there are nearly 5,000 railroad crossings interconnected with traffic lights.
National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has appointed Rick Ebersold, president of Herzog Services, Inc., to fill a temporarily open seat on the NRC Board of Directors. The NRC Board unanimously supported the nomination made by Chairman of the Board Chris Daloisio.
On February 5, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-06) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association member company Progress Rail Services for a tour of its locomotive and rail car services facility in Roanoke, Va.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened the accident docket and publicly released more than 2,000 pages of information as part of it’s ongoing investigation of the May 12, 2015 Amtrak passenger train derailment in Philadelphia.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has suspended its work on the proposed high-speed rail line project, Zip Rail, between the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Rochester, Minn., pending action by the Olmsted County Regional Railroad Authority next week.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) released its first “State of the Industry Report” focusing on the key challenges, accomplishments and innovations within the freight railroad industry. This initial, five-chapter edition details the industry’s investments in new technology and innovation that are enhancing safety across the nation’s rail network.
AECOM has been selected to design and build the world’s first Hyperloop test track as part of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, a university-focused challenge to help spur student innovation.
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) are conducting a tour to examine new ideas for intercity passenger rail by operating an inspection train from New Orleans, La., to Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 18 and 19.
Peter Gertler has joined HDR’s strategic consulting team as vice president and is responsible for helping the firm grow its strategic consulting practice worldwide.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says the state plans to make improvements to the Harrisburg Transportation Center and surrounding areas to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.
