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.

Tri-Rail and SMART –UTU ratify agreement

United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) represented engineers, conductors and transportation specialists have ratified a tentative agreements with Tri-Rail/Transdev in Florida.

Crosstown LRT contract awarded

Crosslinx Transit Solutions has signed a $9.1-billion contract to complete the Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (Crosstown LRT) project, delivering the LRT by 2021.

SEPTA 40th Street Station receives ADA improvements

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) broke ground on ADA accessibility improvements at SEPTA’s 40th Street Market Frankford Line Station that includes the installation of two elevators to be constructed on the northwest and southeast corners of 40th and Market Streets. In addition to the two new elevators, the $7.4-million construction project includes four new head house entrances and overall station improvements.

CTA returns Yellow Line to service

Chicago Transit Authority‘s Yellow Line to Skokie, Ill., has been restored following an embankment collapse in May from construction on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) property.

TSB highlights Watchlist issues from October 2014 incident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report regarding an October 28, 2014, incident involving a VIA Rail Canada passenger train passing a stop signal near Newtonville, Ontario.

MTA Board approves five-year capital plan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved its 2015-19 Capital Program, at its October meeting.

Brampton City Council rejects LRT planned through downtown

At a special Council Meeting on Oct. 27, Brampton City Council in Ontario voted to terminate the Hurontario-Main Light Rail Transit (HMLRT) project at Steeles Avenue.

Spring construction scheduled for new Schenectady train station

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll unveiled plans for the new Schenectady Train Station, which will be a modern, fully accessible transportation hub connecting travelers to New York City, Niagara Falls and destinations between and beyond. Station construction is scheduled to get under way in the spring.

President Obama signs H.R. 3819; PTC extension now official

President Barack Obama signed H.R. 3819 the “Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015” on Oct. 29.

Add another $60M in rail related projects that will benefit from TIGER awards

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released official information surrounding the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 program, which will provide $500 million for 39 transportation projects in 34 states.

Senate committee approves Feinberg as FRA administrator

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved Sarah Feinberg to be administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration by a 19-1 vote.

Congress passes three-year PTC deadline extension

A blanket three-year extension to the Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation deadline has passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislation also gives railroads the option to seek a waiver granting an additional two years to install PTC.

House passes H.R. 3819, extends PTC deadline

The House of Representatives on Oct. 27, 2015 approved H.R. 3819, The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, legislation that funds and extends the authorization for federal highway and transit programs through Nov. 20, but more important, extends the deadline for implementation of Positive Train Control by at least three years. The bill now goes to the Senate, which has two days to consider it—with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) vehemently opposed.

FTA advances WMATA rail safety oversight measures

On Oct. 26, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Safety Directive16-1 to the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC) and sent a letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board Chair and Interim General Manager detailing the new roles, responsibilities and reporting relationships between the organizations.

Caltrain to replace San Francisco bridge

Caltrain will be removing the existing Quint Street Bridge and replacing it with a new berm. The current 100-year-old bridge, deemed structurally deficient, does not meet existing seismic safety standards and must be replaced to ensure the safety of community members and Caltrain passengers.

Rail projects to receive more than $170 million in TIGER grants (so far)

Elected officials sounded their victory horns as the notification process of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) VII awards began.

MTA working to fix and fortify Staten Island Railway’s St. George Interlocking

A major Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) Fix&Fortify Sandy Recovery project underway on the Staten Island Railway (SIR) will require five weekend closures between October 24 and November 30.

Amtrak’s Boardman says funding is biggest hurdle to fixing Chicago, New York

Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Boardman was joined by a panel of industry experts Oct. 26 at the National Press Club to highlight the need to make infrastructure planning and investment a national priority.

Former MTA chairman E. Virgil Conway dies

E. Virgil Conway, who served as both Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman and as a member of the MTA Board, died October 21, 2015, in Southampton, N.Y., at the age of 85.

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