CTA to renovate historic Quincy Station, add accessibility and modernize
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. announced the beginning of a major project to renovate the historic Quincy Loop station.
Passenger
LACTMA’s TBM Harriet retires after digging twin tunnels
Now that Harriet the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) completed her second tunnel at the Leimert Park Station for the Crenshaw/LAX Line, the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACTMA) has announced her retirement.
MassDOT purchases 20 remote-control ballast cars
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) received delivery of 20 new remote-control steel ballast cars in mid April.
Janno Lieber joins senior ranks of MTA
Janno Lieber has joined the senior executive ranks of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as chief development officer. In this newly created position, Lieber will take over leadership and oversight of key strategic capital initiatives focused on increasing the capacity of the system.
NY, NJ senators request visit from Sec. Chao to highlight need for rail infrastructure funding
Four democratic senators from New York and New Jersey are urging U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to visit the rail infrastructure linking to two states to highlight the need for investment in the region’s rail and transit infrastructure.
FRA grade-crossing workshop to help prioritize research needs
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is planning a workshop this summer to tackle a critical rail safety element: grade crossings.
Siemens creating “Internet of Trains”
Siemens’ U.S. unit has launched Digital Rail Services, a new business that will use intelligent sensors and advanced software platforms to put intelligence behind billions of data points created on the country’s rail systems.
Metra seeks easy terms, as many cars and locos “as possible”
The builders’ line forms to the right. Chicago’s Metra is seeking requests for proposals for the design and production of new railcars and locomotives to replace its aging fleet.
BART kicks off Concord Station plaza construction
Construction and renovation began yesterday at the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Concord Station plaza.
Caltrain announces San Francisco-area rail-grinding project
Caltrain says it will begin a two-week rail-grinding project in San Francisco on April 26. The project will result in reduced noise impacts for residents living near the right of way and smoother rides for passengers.
Amtrak honors Investigator Joseph O’Keefe as 2016 Police Department Officer of the Year
Investigator Joseph O’Keefe is the 2016 Amtrak Police Department Officer of the Year.
APTA fighting proposed transit budget cuts
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is taking the fight to Capitol Hill to oppose President Trump’s budget proposal to cut major public transit appropriations for the remainder of fiscal 2017 and 2018.
HNTB Corporation hires Francesco Cantatore as senior program director, rail systems
HNTB Corporation added Francesco Cantatore as senior program director, rail systems.
MBTA operating budget continues path towards fiscal responsibility
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) adopted a Fiscal Year 2018 MBTA operating budget.
NRC auction raises more than $58k for safety and training programs
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) sold $1.25 million worth of equipment at its annual auction on April 6. Proceeds will help fund safety programs provided by the association.
LIRR publishes FEIS of expansion project
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a proposed Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) expansion project has been issued following more than a year of data collection, analysis and public outreach.
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.
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.