MassDOT releases draft state rail plan
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has released and is taking public comment on the new draft of its Massachusetts State Rail Plan.
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Texas Central selects site for Dallas HS station
Texas Central, which is planning to build a privately-funded 240-mile, 200 mph railway linking Dallas with Houston, has selected the site for its station in Dallas and says it has reached an agreement with developer Jack Matthews, which owns the site.
Consortium selected for Los Angeles Airport PPP rail project
An ACS Group/Hochtief-led consortium has been selected as recommended developer for a $US 1.95bn public-private partnership (PPP) project to build an automated peoplemover at Los Angeles International Airport and operate it for 25 years.
Banedanmark, Bentley building high-speed rail
As part of its vision to create the railway of the future, Banedanmark is building Denmark’s first high-speed railway between Copenhagen and Ringsted.
SEPTA KOP rail project advances with preferred alternative
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will adopt the recommended Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) as presented in the King of Prussia Rail (KOP Rail) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) with the North/South design option following Board approval.
Amtrak engineer didn’t see mileposts, speed signs prior to deadly derailment
The engineer of an Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont, Wash., in December was aware of the 30 mph curve and planned to reduce speed, but miscalculated the train’s location until it entered the curve and derailed.
Bergmann taps rail lead as VP
Bergmann, a national engineering firm, has named George Kevgas, PE, as its new vice president of infrastructure for the firm’s Atlantic region.
Project development extended for BART Silicon Valley extension
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has granted The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) a three-month extension to complete the Federal New Starts funding program’s project development phase.
LACMTA retires TBM mining Regional Connector tunnels
Boring work for the two tunnels that are part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project has been completed and the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for the work is being retired.
Michigan line improvements result in improved Amtrak travel
Amtrak says rail infrastructure improvements along its Chicago – Detroit/Pontiac line have been made to enable safe, faster travel along the Michigan passenger and freight corridor.
CHSRA expands executive team
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has announced the appointment of Joseph Hedges as its new chief operating officer and Pamela Mizukami as chief deputy director.
Update on Amtrak safety culture, PTC plan requested by Reps. DeFazio and Capuano
Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak’s safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
TriMet names Kelsey as only GM finalist
TriMet’s Board of Directors has named current TriMet Chief Operating Officer (COO) Doug Kelsey as the single finalist in the search for a new general manager.
Valley Metro sees delivery of rail for extension
Valley Metro accepted delivery of rail for its Gilbert Road light-rail extension in Mesa, Ariz.
CHSRA names Kelly CEO
The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) Board of Directors named Brian P. Kelly as its new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 1, 2018.
Cap Metro taps APTA’s Clarke for CEO role
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) Board of Directors in Austin, Texas, has named Randy Clarke as the agency’s next president and CEO.
Last rail being laid for LIRR double track
January will see the final five miles of rail installed as part of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Double Track project.
MARTA to spend $1B on new fleet
MARTA, Atlanta’s transit operator, plans to replace its entire railcar fleet, the single biggest item on its to-do list in 2018.
NCDOT’s largest rail infrastructure improvement program wraps up
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is celebrating the completion of the state’s largest program of rail infrastructure improvements after seven years.
Task force to evaluate Alaskan commuter rail
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed an order establishing the governor’s Commuter Rail Advisory Task Force on Jan. 9.