Jim Blaze photo

Amtrak OIG Identifies Fraud Risks as Agency Begins Large Acquisitions and Infrastructure Programs

WASHINGTON – Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General released a report this week outlining fraud risks Amtrak could face as it leverages significant federal investments for major acquisitions and capital projects.

GDC Notes Progress on Hudson Tunnel Project

The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) on May 5 reported “significant progress and early work beginning in 2023” on the Hudson Tunnel Project, the largest component of the Gateway Program. The GDC Board

Frederick Douglass Tunnel with Electrified Trains (Amtrak image)

Take a Look: Amtrak’s B&P Tunnel Replacement Program

Amtrak, which has begun early construction activities as part of its $6 billion B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, on May 5 released a series of project renderings. The first project kicked off in

Amtrak Plans $13MM Upgrade to Miss. Union Station

Amtrak has requested permission to make improvements to its Union Station facilities in Meridian, Miss., which would involve city-owned property, according to a report in The Meridian Star.

(Amtrak Photo)

Amtrak Launches Procurement for East River Tunnel Renewal

Amtrak has begun the procurement phase of the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project by issuing a Request for Qualifications for construction services to replace two of the tunnel’s four tubes.

Amtrak Completes Upgrades at Gastonia Station

With the completion of a $3.2 million project at the Gastonia, North Carolina, station, Amtrak travelers now have a more accessible journey.

Brightline to Continue Train Testing Up to 79 MPH in Indian River County

Brightline is continuing essential work on its Orlando extension with train testing in Indian River County having commenced April 1, 2023, with trains traveling up to 79 mph.

VPRA Seeks Construction Partners for Long Bridge Project

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced March 29 that it has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified design-build teams for the north end of the Long Bridge project.

NTSB Continues to Investigate Fatal Grade Crossing Crash between SUV, Brightline Train

The National Transportation Safety Board announced that it is continuing to investigate a recent grade crossing collision that occurred on Feb. 8, 2023, when a Nissan Rogue SUV was struck in Palm Beach County, Florida.

(Amtrak Photo)

Amtrak Kicking Off $6B B&P Tunnel Replacement Program

Amtrak on March 10 will start early construction work for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. The nearly 150-year-old, 1.4-mile tunnel that connects Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., is a single point of

Coast Guard Approves Brightline’s Request to Modernize St. Lucie River Bridge

The U.S. Coast Guard has given Brightline approval to temporarily close the navigation channel at the Stuart railroad drawbridge over the St. Lucie River in order to carry out restoration work.

Brightline on Feb. 19 welcomed the Bright Orange 2 trainset to Orlando, Fla., following its 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif.

Brightline’s ‘Bright Orange 2’ Rolls Into Orlando

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is one step closer to extending its 67-mile Miami-to-West Palm Beach line north to Orlando.

Brightline Launches New Rail Safety PSA

Brightline launched a new rail safety campaign Feb. 6, as the agency works to further educate community members on the importance of safety near the tracks.

Amtrak Completes Design for Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project

Amtrak shared updates on its Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project on Feb. 10 as part of a broader effort to reduce the agency’s backlog of State-of-Good-Repair work and expand rail service across the network.

Watch: Biden announces investment in ‘Mega Projects,’ including Concrete Casing for Hudson Yards

NEW YORK – This week, President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded nearly $1.2 billion from the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) discretionary grant program for nine projects across the country.

Amtrak Takes First Step to Re-Equip Long-Distance Network

Amtrak has announced that 10 manufacturers have submitted their ideas on replacement railcars for such overnight routes as Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief, marking the “first formal step to completely reequip the Amtrak Long-Distance Network that provides vital service on 14 overnight routes from coast to coast,” the railroad reported Jan. 19.

The Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project will replace the Northbound Bridge (MT-1), built in 1935, and extend the Southbound Bridge (MT-2) for passenger and freight rail service.

Caltrain Advances Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project

Caltrain on Jan. 31 will host a virtual community meeting on the $63.3 million Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project in San Jose, Calif., which will replace the northbound wooden trestle bridge built in 1935 and extend the southbound concrete bridge built in 1990.

BMWED Passenger-Rail Groups Merge

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) has announced that members of its Chicago Passenger Federation (CPF) have voted to merge with its United Passenger Rail Federation (UPRF).

Jim Blaze photo

Amtrak Petitions FRA to Retire Maryland Fixed Wayside Signals

Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to retire fixed wayside signals as automatic block points on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Washington, line (a Northeast Corridor branch), according to a notice in the Federal Register’s Jan. 17 edition.

Watch: Brightline Gives Us A Peek Into the Orlando Station

ORLANDO–Brightline released a video and renderings of the future station, located at Orlando International Airport, that will connect millions and regionalize the state.

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