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 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 has shortlisted three firms for the construction of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project; six firms were originally prequalified to submit proposals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved its 2015-19 Capital Program, at its October meeting.
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.
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 Barack Obama signed H.R. 3819 the “Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015” on Oct. 29.
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.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved Sarah Feinberg to be administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration by a 19-1 vote.
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.
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.
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.