Raleigh receives additional TIGER funds for Union Station complex
The city of Raleigh, N.C., has received a $5.5 million increase to a previously received grant for the first phase of construction of the Raleigh Union Station complex.
Intercity
FRA issues FONSI for NLX rail project
The Northern Lights Express (NLX), a proposed intercity passenger service between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., may proceed to preliminary engineering after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment.
TIGER V grants $474 million to 52 projects in 37 states
Fifty-two transportation projects in 37 states will receive a total of approximately $474 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Among these, $146 million will help fund rail projects.
Maryland to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation for Baltimore Metropolitan Region
Maryland plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation investments for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region that will support more than 13,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion and revitalize communities.
Michigan begins track improvements as part of Accelerated Rail Program
The first of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season will begin on September 9.
Illinois high-speed rail corridor work continues
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are performing the second of three phases of 2013 upgrades to Illinois’ Chicago-St. Louis high-speed route, for future 110 mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains.
TSB: Misaligned switch led to inadvertent diversion of VIA Rail passenger train
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report into an occurrence where a VIA Rail Canada passenger train was unexpectedly diverted into a siding at Hegadorn, while en route from Jonquière to Montreal, QB, Canada, on August 9, 2012.
USDOT proposed rule would expand Surface Transportation Project Delivery program
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a rule proposal that would give states an opportunity to manage the federally required environmental review process for highway, rail and transit projects.
Colton rail-to-rail crossing completed
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) have said that Colton Crossing, a project that will unlock delays at a major rail crossing in Southern California, has been delivered significantly under budget and ahead of schedule.
VIA Rail suspends service due to track conditions
VIA Rail Canada has suspended service between Matapédia, New Carlisle and Gaspé, as a result of Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG)’s rail infrastructure problems in Quebec.
Work starts on landslide solutions for Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor
Work is underway to help stabilize slopes and stop landslides along the Pacific Northwest’s only north-south passenger rail corridor.
Tutor Perini JV executes contract for California High-Speed Rail Project
Tutor Perini Corporation’s joint venture has executed a contract with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) for the design and construction of the initial Madera to Fresno segment of the California high-speed rail system.
Amtrak making upgrades to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station
Amtrak will make upgrades to Philadelphia 30th Street Station to improve the passenger experience, tend to the long-term infrastructure needs of the nearly 100 year-old building and improve pedestrian mobility in and around the facility. The projects represent about a $35 million investment.
Metrolinx halts Scarborough LRT work
The Big Move, an ambitious 25-year plan to enhance transportation in the Toronto region, is down a light-rail project following Metrolinx‘s announcement that progress on the Scarborough LRT project is suspended.
Amtrak, Virginia reach cost-sharing agreement
Virginia has entered into a cost-sharing partnership with Amtrak, where Virginia will be assuming greater costs associated with making intercity passenger rail service available to communities between Washington, D.C., and Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk, including Richmond.
APTA to recognize six public transportation systems for sustainability
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will recognize nine public transportation systems for outstanding sustainability achievements.
Illinois HSR trackwork moves on to Bloomington-Normal area
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are performing another phase of upgrades to Illinois’ high-speed route from Chicago-St. Louis for future 110-mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains.
XpressWest vows to proceed, despite federal loan denial
It was revealed last week that the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) previously suspended its review of XpressWest’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIF) loan for a high-speed rail line between southern California and Las Vegas.
East Side Access trackwork to speed LIRR and Amtrak trains
For 30 days this summer, crews working on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s East Side Access megaproject will build heavy concrete slabs that will serve as the ceiling of a new underpass at the busy Harold Interlocking switching complex in Sunnyside, Queens.
Feasibility study for Chicago to Columbus HSR line released
The Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association, Inc. (NIPRA), released a business plan laying the groundwork for a regional, 11-city passenger rail corridor between Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago, Ill., through Fort Wayne and Warsaw, Ind.