Toronto area’s “missing link” rail bypass proposal moves forward

A study regarding a freight bypass rail line between the Canadian Pacific Line (Milton GO Rail corridor) west of Trafalgar Road in Milton and the Canadian National bypass Line at Bramalea has been endorsed by the Mississauga City Council.

Rocla to build Florida facility to serve FEC, All Aboard Florida

Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties, has entered in to a long-term supply agreement with All Aboard Florida and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC), which will require the construction of a new facility in Ft. Pierce, Fla.

DEIS for Tucson to Phoenix passenger route released

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, has released the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study: Tucson to Phoenix.

NC Board of Transportation adopts state rail plan

The North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted the 2015 Comprehensive State Rail Plan at its meeting on August 5, 2015. The Rail Plan was created to identify near- and long-term freight, passenger and safety projects, in addition to other rail initiatives that will help better serve the state’s communities, businesses and industries.

New Holyoke Station restores Amtrak service to area

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Pollack joined Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse along with state and local officials Aug. 27 to celebrate the opening of the new $4.3-million Holyoke Train Station on the Knowledge Corridor and restoration of Amtrak Vermonter Line service.

USDOT awards grants to promote transit careers

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $9.5 million in grants to 19 projects in 13 states selected to help train a new generation of skilled workers and support long-term careers in the public transportation industry.

AREMA names new executive director and CEO

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Board of Governors has appointed Elizabeth Caruso, CAE, as AREMA’s executive director and chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2015.

UIUC opens RAIL to advance better track designs

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) located at the Harry Schnabel, Jr., Lab.

WMATA plans to accept Silver Spring Transit Center from Montgomery County

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) received a formal request from Montgomery County to transfer the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center into the regional transit system.

WSDOT resumes landslide mitigation work along Everett and Mukilteo rail lines

This week in Washington state, crews will start landslide mitigation work near Mukilteo and Everett to help limit landslides that disrupt passenger train service north of Seattle.

FTA proposed rule to establish new safety program for transit industry

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed a rule to establish a Public Transportation Safety Program under FTA’s new safety oversight authority established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

FRA report on PTC: Most railroads will miss deadline; enforcement will happen

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sent its Status of Positive Train Control Implementation report to Congress Aug. 7.

Engineers share views on 2015 trends

For North American railroad engineering departments, safety is the top feature required in a piece of equipment, while dealing with tight work windows is a shared issue across both freight and passenger operations.

Two Connecticut passenger lines undergoing improvements

Crews will be out along Metro-North Railroad’s New Canaan Branch in Connecticut during the first four weekends of August to renew railroad crossings at three intersections with local streets and rebuild the railroad bridge over the Merritt Parkway.

Canada commits funds to VIA Rail’s Ottawa-Montreal corridor infrastructure improvements

The Canadian government plans to invest CA$102 million (US$77 million) over a two-year period to support several infrastructure projects that will increase the safety and efficiency of VIA Rail Canada‘s Ottawa-Montreal rail corridor for travelers.

USDOT: Substantial demand underscores need for TIGER grants

Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totaled $9.8 billion, almost 20 times the $500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide.

FRA provides funds for Midwest, Southeast passenger rail planning

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is allocating $ 2,780,651 for multi-state passenger railroad planning in both the Southeast and Midwest regions.

British Columbia commits funds toward future E&N rail line

The British Columbia government has affirmed its commitment to provide CA$7 million (US$5.4 million) to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) to support the future of the E&N rail line on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.

HNTB adds Thompson as principal tunnel engineer

HNTB Corporation hired Jimmy Thompson as principal tunnel engineer in its national tunnel practice out of its Oakland, Calif., office. Thompson has 30 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and specializes in tunnels and underground facilities.

Texas high-speed rail project names new CEO; gets $75 million boost

The Texas Central Partners (Texas Central) Board of Directors has appointed Tim Keith as the new chief executive officer for the organization effective immediately.

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