Raleigh Union Station project receives $21 million TIGER Grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $21 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the Raleigh Union Station project.
Intercity
New Rail Transportation Center in Delaware receives $10 million TIGER grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $10 million grant to build a new regional rail transportation center on the proposed University of Delaware Science and Technology campus under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $500 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2012 program.
It’s official: USDOT’s TIGER IV grants doled out to 47 projects
Forty-seven transportation projects in 34 states and the District of Columbia will receive a total of almost $500 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2012 program.
TIGER IV funding light on rail
No official word from the U.S. Department of Transportation has been released regarding awards of the fourth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, but news from various congressional offices is revealing what projects will benefit from the latest round of grants. The initial tally indicates rail related projects did not fare as well as they had in past TIGER funding cycles, but several key projects will see federal money.
High-speed rail grinding and metal removal
Controlling grinding speed allows for the amount of metal removal to be fine-tuned and results in improved effectiveness and utilization of grinding operations.
Skanska signs Moynihan Station contract
Skanska has signed a contract with the Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC) to complete the first phase of an expansion to New York City’s Penn Station, to create the new Moynihan Station. The contract value for Skanska is $148 million, which will be included in order bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the second quarter 2012.
Not quite the end of the line
To all my faithful readers, this will be the last monthly installment of “Chicago Perspective.” I thank you for giving me a platform for 13 years where my thoughts, opinions, theories and assessments of the industry have been allowed to flourish.
Illinois to St. Louis HSR corridor enters final stage of construction
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are beginning the final phase of 2012 upgrades to Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future high-speed Amtrak trains.
Rehabbed Amtrak station opens in Battle Creek, Michigan
The city of Battle Creek, Mich., has completed a $3.6-million renovation and remodeling of the Intermodal Transportation Center used by Amtrak and other carriers, transforming it into a modern facility that is so different that even the entrance and the address have been changed.
FRA issues final rule regarding ENS at grade crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration issued new regulations requiring railroads to install signs at grade crossings and pathway crossings with telephone numbers the public can use to alert railroad companies to unsafe conditions.
DesertXpress HSR project renamed XpressWest
DesertXpress Enterprises has renamed its Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail service “XpressWest” to more accurately reflect its role as the first leg of a larger western high-speed passenger rail network.
NCDOT names new rail division director
The North Carolina Department of Transportation appointed Anthony Fuller as the new director of the Rail Division.
Amtrak awarded IT award for its eTicketing program
IDG’s CIO magazine awarded Amtrak the 2012 CIO 100 for its eTicketing program as an innovative business technology application. The 25th annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.
SANDAG begins construction on Sorrento to Miramar Double Track Project
The San Diego Association of Governments started construction on Phase 1 of the Sorrento to Miramar Double Track Project, one of 20 capital improvement projects now in development along San Diego County’s 60-mile segment of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo rail corridor (LOSSAN).
APTA: Public transportation ridership surged in first quarter
Public transportation ridership surged in the first quarter of 2012, as Americans took nearly 2.7 billion trips, an increase of five percent over the first quarter of last year, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association. This was the fifth consecutive quarter of U.S. public transit ridership increase, as 125.7 million more trips were taken than the first quarter of 2011.
Former Caltrans director to head California high-speed rail project
Following an extensive international search, the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors hired Jeff Morales as the authority’s new chief executive officer.
Winnipeg’s Union Station to receive upgrades
The Honorable Steven Fletcher, minister of state (transport) and member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assinniboia, Manitoba and VIA Rail Canada announced a CA$6.5 million (US$6.36 million) investment in Winnipeg’s Union Station to improve public areas, accessibility, passenger services and amenities and the exterior of the heritage building.
Illinois HSR corridor work continues
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are upgrading Illinois’ high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future high-speed Amtrak trains. The improvements for 110-mph service include the installation of new premium rail with concrete ties and ballast; upgrades to bridges, culverts and drainage; signal and wayside equipment installations and upgrades and roadway-rail grade crossing improvements.
Iowa Pacific to operate Santa Cruz branch line
The Regional Transportation Commission for Santa Cruz County in Southern California authorized the selection of Iowa Pacific Holdings to operate on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. The RTC will enter into an administration, coordination and license agreement with Iowa Pacific to conduct freight and passenger rail service, as well as maintain the line and provide general commercial insurance.
Sample PATH reports record ridership in 2011
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s PATH rail system reported record ridership in 2011, with 76.6 million commuter trips made during the year, the highest