LACMTA breaks ground on rail yard near LAX

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) broke ground on a $172-million maintenance and administrative facility for light-rail vehicles servicing the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project and the Green Line.

Metro-North, ConnDOT sign Walk Bridge “Partnering Letter”

Metro-North Railroad and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) have signed a “partnering letter” agreeing to a strong, collaborative effort as plans are finalized to replace the Walk railroad bridge – the 120-year-old bridge over the Norwalk River that swings open and closed to accommodate marine traffic below.

Updated ST3 Plan would speed Sound Transit project delivery

The Sound Transit Board has outlined proposed changes to the Sound Transit 3 Draft Plan, with emphasis on completing light-rail extensions sooner.

SEPTA Board approves FY 2017 operating and capital budgets

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board has approved Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2017, which is the 12-month period beginning July 1, 2016.

Contracts awarded for MTA station work; Hicksville work put on fast track

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded $7.5 million in contracts for preliminary engineering work at two stations at Willets Point, Queens.

CTC pulls, delays more than $175 million in rail project funds

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) adopted a five-year state transportation funding plan that cuts $754 million and delays another $755 million in highway, rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian project spending on May 18.

Final approval for MTA’s five-year capital program gained

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can proceed with its largest infrastructure investment in its history following a key approval of its five-year capital program.

SEPTA continues PTC rollout with Fox Chase Line

Following the successful launch of Positive Train Control (PTC) on the Warminster Line in mid April, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continued its strategic rollout of the technology with installation on the Fox Chase Line.

NICTD gains federal approval to develop double tracking project

A planned double track project in Indiana may move forward following a key approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

MBTA GM DePaola to retire

Frank DePaola, who has served as general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) since February 2015, plans to retire after his current appointment expires on June 30.

TriMet completes 1st Avenue trackwork

TriMet has completed the 1st Avenue MAX Improvements Project, which rejuvenated a section of the original MAX alignment.

LACMTA opens Phase 2 of Expo Line

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began service May 20 on Phase 2 of the Expo Line project.

WMATA releases final SafeTrack plan

The Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA) released the final SafeTrack plan – a maintenance effort that will accelerate three years worth of work into approximately one year.

VRE completes Spotsylvania third track project

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) service began May 17 along a new third track built on CSX’s right-of-way from the VRE Crossroads Yard to Hamilton.

Metra resumes BNSF extension plans; seeks $3M for PTC

Chicago’s Metra is resuming work on engineering and environmental studies to extend the BNSF Line past Aurora in Kendall County, after local officials said they strongly supported the planning work despite the challenges of securing funding to build and operate the extension.

FRA, CHSRA revise grant agreement

The Federal Railroad Administration and California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) updated an existing 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant agreement.

NTSB shines spotlight on PTC following Amtrak 188 meeting

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deemed human error as the probable cause for the May 2015 Amtrak accident in Philadelphia, but said better windows would have lessened the severity of injuries of the crash and Positive Train Control (PTC) would have prevented it.

Gov. Cuomo approves plan to partially preserve Adirondack rail line

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a $23-million plan that will essentially split a 119-mile travel corridor into a scenic railway south of Tupper Lake and a multi-use trail north of Tupper Lake.

Protran Technology names deputy director – field engineering and training

Protran Technology, a division of Harsco Rail, has hired Clay Bunting as deputy director, where he will further develop its growing range of safety technology for track workers and track inspection technology.

NTSB: Loss of situational awareness caused Amtrak 188 derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) voted 3-1 to determine the probable cause of the May 12, 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia to be the locomotive engineer’s loss of situational awareness.

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