Brightline to begin introductory service next week

BRIGHTLINE, Florida’s new private passenger operator, has announced that it will launch an introductory service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach during the week of Jan. 8.

 

Next round of RTD G Line testing to focus on C&S systems

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colo., has resumed testing on its G Line as of today, emphasizing the evaluation of its communication and signaling systems.

 

Feds: What Gateway agreement?

Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.

Smart Sand completes rail expansion at frac sand facility

Smart Sand, Inc. has completed construction of its unit train capable rail facility in Byron Township, Wis., and moved its first unit train via Union Pacific on Dec. 26.

Canada, Ontario commit funds to freight rail study

Federal and provincial funding has been committed toward freight rail analysis of Ontario’s Peterborough-Toronto-Havelock-Blue Mountain corridor.

MTA unveils 19 finalists for Genius Challenge

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released the names of the 19 finalists in three categories as part of “The MTA Genius Transit Challenge.”

Sound Transit applies for $1.17B federal grant

The Sound Transit Board approved submission of an application for a $1.17 billion grant for the Lynnwood Link Extension on Dec. 21, moving toward breaking ground in 2018 and extending light-rail service to Snohomish County residents in 2024.

HSR coming to Illinois

Amtrak should begin high-speed service between Chicago and St. Louis this summer, the result of a $2-billion project that is in the final phase of construction.

 

HNTB hires Zeyad Alkaisi as senior project manager

HNTB Corporation (HNTB) has brought on Zeyad Alkaisi, CCM, as a rail transit senior project manager and associate vice president.

 

Sound Transit Board approves Tacoma Dome Link Extension

The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) Board approved the Tacoma Dome Link Extension last week, setting a $125.7 million budget for preliminary engineering for the project.

 

FECR offers safety training for emergency responders

Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) recently provided training for emergency responders on railway safety issues associated with various equipment used in daily rail operations.

 

USDOT issues first installment of MBTA Green Line extension grant

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.

Ontario issues bid notice for HSR environmental assessment

Ontario has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) to develop the environmental assessment terms of reference for a portion of its corridor linking Kitchener-Waterloo to London in southwestern Ontario.

IO, Metrolinx award rail tunnel contract; shortlist grade separation teams

Toronto Tunnel Partners (TTP) is the recipient of a contract with Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build and finance the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project for the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program.

 

FMCB report recognizes MBTA transformation efforts

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has the “groundwork in place for a much better future,” according to the Third Annual Report of the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB).

Keolis, MBTA driving toward drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, aka, drones) are becoming an important tool in railroad engineering and maintenance. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates regional/commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, is among the latest to adopt the technology.

MTA Board approves contract for Metro-North station enhancements

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved a $91.5 million design-build contract to the firm Halmar International to make improvements to five Metro-North stations.

Amtrak selects Baltimore Penn Station redevelopment team

Amtrak has selected Penn Station Partners to negotiate a master development deal for Baltimore Penn Station.

TTC opens Line 1 extension

The 5.34-mile (8.6-km) Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Toronto-to-York subway extension opened to the public on Sunday, Dec. 17.

PANYNJ formalizes contractor evaluations for future contracts

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) will use a bidding firms’ past performance record on previous PANYNJ projects in contract award decisions.

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