Metro sues transit union in overtime dispute
Washington’s Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Monday threatened to bring in contractors and pursue further legal action if unionized employees refuse to work overtime.
Passenger
Metra’s Orseno to retire at end of 2017
Don Orseno, who began his career in 1974 as a ticket collector on the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, will retire as Metra executive director and CEO in December 2017.
Sound Transit constructing East Link light-rail tunnel in Bellevue one small section at a time
A 2,000-linear-foot tunnel that will host light-rail service in Bellevue, Wash., as part of Sound Transit’s East Link, is now under construction.
IO, Metrolinx issue RFQ for Toronto Union Station project
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Union Station Enhancement project in Toronto, ON, Canada has been issued by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx.
Connecticut bond commission approves additional funds for NHHS rail program
The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved an additional $50 million in funding for the New-Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.
APTA: Commuter rail industry makes progress implementing PTC
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says its members are making “significant progress” toward implementing positive train control (PTC) and are on schedule to meet the December 2018 deadline.
Three teams to bid on MBTA Green Line extension
Three teams have been selected by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to compete for the design-build contract to build the Green Line Extension Project.
Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT plans expand
Ottawa’s planned Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is expanding its scope with a proposal that would extend the project to the west, south and east. Stakeholders also explained a recommended procurement model for the project.
USDOT puts Caltrain grant on hold
A $647-million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) has been deferred until the Trump Administration develops a budget for Fiscal Year 2018.
IO, Metrolinx move forward with RFP for rail tunnel project
Three shortlisted teams have been invited to submit a Request for Proposals by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build and finance the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project.
PANYNJ Board approves largest capital plan in history
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners approved a $32.3 billion 2017-2026 Capital Plan on Feb. 16.
Peter Gertler returns to HNTB as SVP
Peter Gertler has rejoined HNTB Corporation as a senior vice president in a corporate and national strategic business development role, based in Oakland, Calif.
SNCF to digitalize its railway with IBM Watson IoT
French Railways operator SNCF is busy connecting its entire rail system using IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) on IBM Cloud that the tech company said will allow SNCF to enhance customer experiences, operational efficiency and rail safety.
MassDOT to search for new CEO/GM for MBTA
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has launched the search for a permanent CEO and general manager for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Moorman to Congress: “New era” of Amtrak investment required
The head of Amtrak told lawmakers a new era of infrastructure investment is needed to ensure a healthy future for long-distance passenger rail travel in the U.S.
Dippel named HDR transportation environmental services director
Michelle Dippel has been promoted to transportation environmental services director at HDR and will be based in Austin, Texas.
Portion of Virginia, Maryland and D.C. federal funds withheld until SSOP for WMATA in place
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will withhold five percent of federal funds to the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia until a new Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) is in place.
Trommer to manage transit/rail project development and finance efforts at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff
Scott E. Trommer has been named a principal with the U.S. Advisory Services division of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.
CTA to add station along Green Line gap
Chicago officials have announced plans to add a new Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) station along the Green Line at Damen Avenue.
Groundbreaking ceremony held for Oklahoma City streetcar project
Work began on the MAPS 3 Oklahoma City Streetcar track line earlier this week, starting construction on the area’s first streetcar network in decades.