Jacobs awarded NJ Transit microgrid project
New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) has chosen Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., to carry out design and general engineering services for its NJ Transit microgrid project.
Passenger
Martin Klepper to lead Build America Bureau
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced last week that Martin Klepper has been appointed to serve the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau as its executive director.
Second Ave. Subway opens, as promised
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) celebrated the Second Avenue Subway line’s inaugural ride on New Year’s Eve.
MTA’s Prendergast to retire “in early 2017”
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast will retire in early 2017 according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Draft SEIS/SEIR released for final six miles of BART Silicon Valley extension
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration have released a draft state and federal document addressing the final six miles of the SCVTA BART Silicon Valley extension’s second phase.
Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws
Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.
TriMet names rail expert as executive director of transportation
TriMet has hired Patrick Preusser as executive director of transportation where he will lead the transit agency’s Transportation Division.
HART sets final guideway segment
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) marked a construction milestone on Dec. 23 with the final guideway segment put in place.
Sound Transit’s $1.99B TIFIA loans to help build four rail projects
A $1.99 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) agreement between Sound Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will support the construction of three light-rail extensions and a maintenance facility.
FRA civil penalty rate sets new record
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.
CREATE program, partners celebrate opening of 25th Avenue grade separation project
A new grade separation, part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, opened at 25th Avenue over Union Pacific’s line in Bellwood, Ill., on Dec. 22.
Study to assess possible expansion of KC Streetcar
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA), the Port KC and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) have selected the team that will conduct a study to assess the possible extension of the Kansas City Streetcar.
Illinois to Ohio passenger rail study to begin in January
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will begin an analysis in January 2017 of a proposal to bring passenger rail service between Chicago, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio.
PATH completes 33rd Street Line signal upgrades, PTC installation
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) completed signal and safety upgrades on the PATH 33rd Street line, which will return to normal service on Dec. 24.
FTA clears Met Council’s Southwest LRT project to enter engineering
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest LRT Project’s (SWLRT) entry into the engineering phase.
NRC names recipients of Projects of the Year; Field Employee of the Year awards
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has named honorees for its 2016 special awards.
MBTA FMCB approves expanded design of Ruggles Station Transportation Project
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) has voted in favor of amending the Ruggles Station Transportation Project contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., (VHB) to expand the project’s design and accessibility work.
Second Avenue Subway inaugural ride will be on New Year’s Eve
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Second Avenue Subway will make its inaugural ride in time for New Year’s Eve this year, with revenue service launching at noon on Jan. 1.
Communities in three southern states to get federal funding for passenger rail service prep
The Southern Rail Commission (SRC) has allocated more than $2.47 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding to 11 communities in three states to be used for improvements supporting potential restoration of passenger rail service.
Recommendation for new NEC would improve travel times; increase reliability
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) unveiled recommendations that would enhance the Northeast Corridor (NEC) over the next three decades; focusing on a state-of-good-repair before projects could be executed to enhance and improve service.