Pennsylvania approves $32 million in funding for rail

The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has approved $32 million in grants to 27 rail freight improvement projects that will help sustain more than 400 jobs across Pennsylvania.

Loram hosts Sen. Klobuchar for facility tour; policy discussion

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), speaking just a few miles from where she grew up, told a crowd of Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., employees that the work they do is the backbone of where the country needs to go.

Illinois crossing projects get $194M

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its annual 5-year plan for the Crossing Safety Improvement Program, which will roll out highway-rail safety projects throughout the state.

 

Ontario preps for expanded GO service

Ontario is adding new stations and performing upgrades across its GO Regional Express Rail (RER) network to prepare for additional all-day, two-way GO train service for commuters in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

 

NTSB’s Sumwalt offers updates on rail at ‘Most Wanted’ midpoint

Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), offered insight on the status of important rail safety changes at the midpoint of the Most Wanted List 2017–2018 cycle in a March 26 blog post.

HNTB’s Mendes a 2018 Shirley A. DeLibero Award recipient

Diana Mendes, AICP, and HNTB Corporation Mid-Atlantic Division president, received the 2018 Shirley A. DeLibero Award at a March 22 event in Washington, D.C.

 

MTA proposes ‘value capture’ to New York City

New York MTA Chairman Joe Lhota and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio—bitter political enemies since at least 2013, when Democrat De Blasio trounced Republican Lhota 73.2% to 24.3% in the mayoral election—have been battling publicly over the City’s share of funding for New York’s subway system, which is in need of major capital investment.

 

Omnibus FY18: A little bit of good news for a lot of the rail industry

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill on Thursday, March 22. The president signed the legislation (even though his Twitter activity suggested otherwise) to avoid a government shutdown, but noted his displeasure saying there were elements of the legislation he was not happy about.

NYC Transit plans flood resiliency project for April

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit has announced a flood protection project in the Rockaways intended to strengthen subway infrastructure and make it more resilient in the face of future storms.

 

European partnership looks to develop smart ties

Crossties capable of data collection will be the development focus of a new partnership between technology and consulting firm Indra and Greenrail, an Italian producer of eco-sustainable crossties.

Amtrak to rename Rochester station for Rep. Louise Slaughter

Amtrak will rename its Rochester Intermodal Station the “Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station in Rochester,” U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced this week.

 

LIRR lays out improvement plan

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) detailed a slate of nearly 60 actions it will take to improve the railroad’s performance through a new initiative called the LIRR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

Chicago to O’Hare RFP: Musk’s loop concept vs. traditional rail transit

Two teams have been chosen to compete for work to design, build, finance and operate Chicago’s O’Hare Express operating system.

 

Light rail at heart of Quebec City transport plan

The mayor of Quebec City, Mr Régis Labeaume, in the presence of Quebec province’s premier Mr Philippe Couillard and the president of Capital Transport Network (RTC) Mr Rémy Normand, has unveiled a $C 2.9bn ($US 2.22bn) plan to expand the city’s public transport network, as the existing bus-based system is at maximum capacity in several locations.

 

FRA holding PTC meetings with railroads, suppliers

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) leadership is stepping up its role in the journey toward positive train control (PTC) implementation by meeting with railroad and supply representatives to ensure progress is being made.

FTA certifies SSO Programs in Massachusetts and Hawaii

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has certified the rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs of Massachusetts and Hawaii.

TRC awarded contract with LACMTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected TRC Companies Inc., to provide services for the agency’s environmental program.

 

TransLink Mayors’ Council, British Columbia agree on regional funding transit expansion

The TransLink Mayors’ Council and the government of British Columbia have agreed on a plan to fund the CA$2.5 billion (US$1.91 billion) regional share of the Phase Two Plan for infrastructure.

DEIR released for LACMTA turnback facility

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been released for a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LACMTA) project that will speed the turnaround time Red and Purple line trains need at Union Station, which will allow more of these trains along the lines.

British Columbia to chip in for Pacific Northwest HSR study

Studying the potential of connecting Canada to the Pacific Northwest through ultra-high-speed rail service received a sign of support with the government of British Columbia agreeing to help fund analysis of such service.

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