Keith Holt: From Amtrak to WSP | PB
Veteran railroad signal engineer Keith Holt has left Amtrak, where he was deputy chief engineer, Communications and Signals, to become director of engineering for Railroad Systems at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.
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Tom Harding to lead Metrom Rail’s engineering operations as VP of engineering
Metrom Rail hired Tom Harding as vice president of engineering. Harding will lead the company’s engineering operations and expand its product development capabilities.
SFCTA allocates funds to advance Phase 2 TTC/DTX engineering work
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) approved $5.46 million in funds to advance engineering associated with the second phase of the Transbay Transit Center/Caltrain Downtown Extension (TTC/DTX) project.
Hawaii House extends rail transit funding excise tax for two years
The Hawaii House of Representatives extended the general excise tax (GET) that helps fund Honolulu’s first rail transit project on April 11. The funding package will contribute an additional $1.2 billion to the project.
Tallarico joins WSP | PB
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed Fred Tallarico Regional Director of Design-Build for the company’s Northeast and Central regions. Tallarico will manage the firm’s pursuit and execution of transit, highway and infrastructure projects using alternative delivery methods such as design-build and P3s (public-private partnerships). He is based in New York City.
VTMI, Inc., selects Dewberry to support South Florida Freight and Passenger Rail Enhancement Project
Veolia Transportation Maintenance and Infrastructure (VTMI, Inc.) has chosen Dewberry to perform services under its design-build contract for new rail connections between the Florida East Coast (FEC) railway and the South Florida Rail Corridor (SFRC) in West Palm Beach and Miami, Fla.
Trio of senators call for Amtrak funding following derailments
Three East Coast senators are highlighting the need for increased funding of Amtrak following two derailments at New York Penn Station.
Industry-Railway Suppliers hosts Rep. Quigley for tour, public policy discussion
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) joined representatives from the Illinois rail industry for a public policy discussion and a tour of Industry-Railway Suppliers, Inc., (IRS) at its Elmhurst, Ill., headquarters on April 10.
LACMTA, Waze to provide rail crossing alerts for drivers
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Transit Safety Programs (TSP) is partnering with the navigation app Waze to provide rail-crossing safety alerts for drivers beginning April 10.
Metra launches 2017 construction program
Chicago’s Metra and its railroad partners announced plans to begin $216 million worth of infrastructure investments in 2017.
Amtrak to review maintenance practices following Penn Station derailments
Amtrak has completed repairs to tracks at New York Penn Station following two derailments in the past month and the railroad’s CEO has pledged a review of its maintenance practices to ensure the situation is not repeated.
LACMTA’s Harriet the tunnel boring machine finishes second tunnel
Harriet the tunnel boring machine completed its second mile-long tunnel on April 6. The machine arrived at the Leimert Park Station, marking another milestone for the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACTMA) Crenshaw/LAX Line.
Vossloh names new management at several divisions
Vossloh has made six leadership changes that will affect its divisions serving the North American rail market.
TriMet MAX improvements for Morrison-Yamhill project begins April 30
TriMet’s Morrison-Yamhill MAX Improvements project kicks off on Sunday, April 30. Crews will begin maintenance and rehab on some of Portland’s oldest MAX alignment along SW Morrison and Yamhill streets at 11th and 1st avenues downtown.
TransLink to replace track pads, rail over 2.98 miles by July 2017
TransLink is replacing track pads and approximately 5,000 linear meters (16,404 linear feet) of running rail this year as a part of its annual Expo Line Running Rail Replacement Project.
Michael Baker hires Ted Coffey as VP to oversee East Coast railroad and transit operations
Michael Baker International hired Ted Coffey as vice president and deputy national market lead in the railroad and transit practice. In this role, Coffey will oversee Michael Baker’s East Coast railroad and transit operations, leading business and strategic development.
Toronto Pearson could become transit center
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) hosted provincial and local mayors to discuss its vision of a transit center to be developed at Toronto Pearson airport.
SNC-Lavalin makes offer to buy WS Atkins
SNC-Lavalin has offered to acquire WS Atkins for CA$3.5 billion (US$2.6 billion). The two firms are still in discussions.
MTA board awards contracts to begin next phase of 2nd Avenue Subway project, enhance train stations in Queens, shorten Canarsie Tunnel closure
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board on Monday voted on measures to improve service for millions of New Yorkers who use subways.
Ontario converting Kipling Station to transit hub
The province of Ontario is moving forward with plans to redevelop the Kipling Station into a transit hub that will integrate subway, regional rail and inter-regional bus services.