Seattle First Hill Streetcar opens with “soft launch”
In Seattle, Wash., the First Hill Streetcar opened with a soft launch January 23, a few weeks before it’s grand opening ceremony and celebration.
Passenger
Valley Metro names Scott Smith as interim CEO
Scott Smith, former mayor of Mesa, Ariz., and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2013-214), has been named as the interim chief executive officer for Valley Metro, effective February 1, 2016.
Rep. Higgins provides support to NFTA rail extension
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) is encouraging the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to pursue Alternative B, also known as the Buffalo River plan, in a study examining options to enhance access and expand connectivity along the southern end of the Metro Rail line in Downtown Buffalo, N.Y.
SEPTA plans 8.75-megawatt energy storage project
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) plans to install a battery storage network, which will help reduce operating costs, ensure energy resiliency and support the stability of the energy grid.
Gertler joins HDR as VP of strategic consulting team
Peter Gertler has joined HDR’s strategic consulting team as vice president and is responsible for helping the firm grow its strategic consulting practice worldwide.
Plans to revamp Harrisburg Transportation Center revealed
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says the state plans to make improvements to the Harrisburg Transportation Center and surrounding areas to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.
Reconstructed Fordham Plaza opens in the Bronx
The Fordham Plaza, a major intermodal public transportation hub in the heart of the Bronx in New York City, is now open after major reconstruction work. The project improves access to public transportation for thousands of New York City residents and is another success for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program.
Metro-North implements Confidential Close Call Reporting System
Metro-North Railroad has extended the implementation of its Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), an initiative designed to encourage workers to report any potential safety hazard or breach of procedures that they may observe by providing them with a convenient, non-confrontational and anonymous method to do so.
DART names VP of capital design and construction
Transit veteran John Rhone has been appointed as the new vice president of capital design and construction at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).
Battling brush with smart vegetation management programs
Suppliers of intelligent herbicides and technologically- advanced machines update their offerings to help wage the war on unwelcome vegetation.
Preparing for winter’s return
MBTA has improved its infrastructure, equipment and operations to ensure service remains reliable, no matter what winter brings.
Port Authority of Allegheny County to begin rail replacement in March
The Port Authority of Alleghany County plans to replace nearly a mile of aging and deteriorating light-rail tracks and street pavement in Beechview, Pa., beginning in March.
NYCT to begin major station renovation project Monday
Beginning January 18, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit will begin performing major renovations to nine stations along the Sea Beach N Line from 8 Av in Sunset Park to 86 St in Bensonhurst. The stations are: 8 Av, Fort Hamilton Pkwy, New Utrecht Av, 18 Av, 20 Av, Bay Pkwy, Kings Hwy, Avenue U and 86 St.
CHSRA, Burbank enter into station-area planning agreement
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has entered into a station-area funding agreement with the city of Burbank to begin the planning process to develop a multimodal transportation hub.
Sound Transit preps for big year in light-rail expansion
Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Peter Rogoff, the agency’s new chief executive officer, to preview the year that lies ahead for expanding regional light-rail service.
O-Train Confederation Line progress on time, on budget
The O-Train Confederation Line LRT project in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, remains on track, on time and on budget.
Metra approves funds for Chicago Union Station design study
The Metra Board of Directors has voted unanimously to spend $1 million on a study that will produce 30 percent design plans to improve Chicago Union Station. The project will be funded through a partnership between Metra, Amtrak, the city of Chicago and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
RSI promotes Amanda Patrick
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) promoted Amanda Patrick to the vice president of trade shows and member relations.
Two rail issues make NTSB’s Most Wanted list for 2016
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its 2016 Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements on January 13 at the 95th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
Hamberger shares the industry’s 2016 goals, sums up 2015 achievements
Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger says that the industry will be targeting several key issues in 2016, such as maintaining balanced economic regulation at the Surface Transportation Board (STB), extending the shortline tax credit while laying the groundwork for overall tax reform and advancing security-safety legislation or regulation.