Hakim returns to MTA as head of NYCT
New York City Transit named Veronique Hakim as the eighth permanent president of the agency. Hakim is a career transportation professional who has returned to MTA after an earlier 23-year career at the agency.
Passenger
SCVTA nearing completion of double track project
Construction on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track project is nearly complete.
Metra names chief safety and environmental officer
Chicago’s Metra has named Hilary Konczal as its first chief safety and environmental officer. The newly created position puts Metra in line with best practices and Federal Transit Administration recommendations and consolidates safety and environmental units under one officer.
SEPTA celebrates completion of two station projects
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) completed both its Wayne Junction Station and 9th Street Station recently.
Metrolink begins PTC testing on San Bernardino line
On Nov. 16, Metrolink started Positive Train Control (PTC) testing on its San Bernardino Line, which covers the cities of El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino.
Testing will be done Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., however, there may be some additional testing during daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday.
SNC-Lavalin realigns rail and transit business
SNC-Lavalin realigned its business processes, brands and market strategy to offer a larger portfolio of rail and transit expertise and provide an end-to-end client service offering.
SCVTA, Google team up on transportation study
The North Bayshore region in Mountain View, Calif., home to Google and Linkedin, will soon be the subject of a transit study in an effort to figure out how to move an increasing number of employees there in ways other than solo driving.
Agreement reached to fund Hudson River Tunnels; establishes management entity
New York and New Jersey leaders have reached an agreement on funding commitments and a governance structure that will allow the Gateway Tunnel Project to move forward.
Metra Board approves 2016 budget
In Chicago, the Metra Board of Directors approved a $945.5-million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.
Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems awarded GO Transit electrification project contract
Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) was awarded a contract from Metrolinx for its GO Transit rail network electrification project. The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the project.
MARTA to overhaul tunnel ventilation system
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently signed a $198.5-million contract to overhaul and upgrade its tunnel ventilation system (TVS). This improvement project, which is slated to begin in early 2016, advances the agency’s ongoing commitment to safe and efficient transit operations.
FRA releases DEIS for NEC investment
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for NEC FUTURE, FRA’s long-term investment framework for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Mass.
RTD integrates PTC into construction of new lines
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., says it’s first in the nation to integrate Positive Train Control (PTC) technology in the actual construction of a rail system. The technology will be used on the new FasTracks commuter transit rail systems.
Maryland SCMaglev awarded federal grant
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded a $27.8-million grant to the state of Maryland for preconstruction and planning costs for the potential development of a Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMaglev) train between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md.
Sound Transit completes third tunnel bore for Northgate Link extension
The tunnel boring machine known as “Brenda” bored through the wall of Sound Transit‘s future U District light-rail station, completing the third segment of the twin 3.5-mile tunnels that will serve light-rail trains from Northgate Mall to the University of Washington starting in 2021.
Wabtec to provide signaling, PTC for RTD North Metro Line
Wabtec Corporation signed a $27-million contract with Regional Rail Partners to provide Phase I signaling and communications systems, including Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment, for the new North Metro Rail Line in Denver, Colo. The line will eventually be integrated into Regional Transit District commuter rail services.
Caltrain shortlists three firms for Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project
Caltrain has shortlisted three firms for the construction of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project; six firms were originally prequalified to submit proposals.
Hammer named NJDOT commissioner
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tapped New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) veteran Richard Hammer as the agency’s acting commissioner and will formally nominate him to succeed Jamie Fox.
APTA reports 5.3 billion trips in first half of 2015
Nearly 5.3 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the first six months of 2015, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This is a 0.9 percent decrease over the same period last year, representing 50 million fewer trips.
Paul Wiedefeld named WMATA CEO
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has named Paul Wiedefeld general manager and chief executive officer. Wiedefeld will be formally appointed at WMATA’s next board of directors meeting November 19.