Montreal’s STM proposes three-year, US$2.1 billion capital program

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) proposed a three-year capital expenditures program (PTI) valued at more than CA$2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion). The plan outlines spending between 2016 – 2018 on those investments needed to upgrade or replace equipment and infrastructure that have or will reach the end of their service life in the next few years.

Foothill Gold Line to open March 2016

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) says that the Gold Line Foothill Extension Project will officially open to the public on Saturday, March 5, 2016.

RTD rail service to Denver airport to begin April 2016

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) received notice from Denver Transit Partners that the University of Colorado A Line commuter rail service from Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport (DIA) will be ready for service on April 22, 2016.

VRE says service suspension imminent without PTC extension

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) gave notice that it will be forced to suspend some, if not all, of its commuter rail service in Virginia and Washington, D.C., after December 31, 2015 if Congress does not act to extend the deadline for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).

SANDAG Board adopts 35-year regional transportation plan

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors voted unanimously on October 9, 2015, to adopt the final version of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, a sweeping blueprint for the future that will invest $204 billion into transportation infrastructure projects over the next 35 years.

Trio of Illinois Congressmen urge passing of PTC extension

On Oct. 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations subcommittee, Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03)

Norfolk Southern says no PIH commodities, no passenger service due to PTC deadline

Norfolk Southern said its rail operating subsidiaries will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (PIH) commodities, effective Dec. 1, 2015.

Contract awarded for Metrolinx RER electrification

Turner & Townsend, a program management and construction consultancy firm, has been selected to support a five-year project to modernize Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER).

Texas Central enters agreement for engineering and pre-construction work

Texas Central Partners entered into an agreement with Dallas to Houston Constructors (DHC), a joint venture between Archer Western Construction and Ferrovial Agroman US Corp. (FAUS), that includes engineering and pre-construction work valued at $130 million.

Amtrak Cascades celebrates 20 years of international rail service

It has been 20 years since the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Amtrak launched Amtrak Cascades passenger train service to Canada. Today, international ridership on the line continues to grow and benefit economies on both sides of the border.

CTA to restore Yellow Line service at the end of October

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Yellow Line service will resume Friday, October 30, following an embankment collapse this past May.

Chicago Union Station revitalization plan moves forward

Amtrak, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority revealed a set of initiatives on Friday aimed at advancing the master plan to redevelop Chicago’s Union Station.

Metra’s 2016 budget includes fare increase to cover PTC, capital needs

Chicago’s Metra has proposed a $945.5 million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.

Work to begin next week in Kansas for Amtrak Southwest Chief upgrades

Work is expected to begin next week on infrastructure improvements for the Amtrak Southwest Chief route, which will upgrade several miles of the La Junta subdivision of the BNSF Kansas Division to support passenger train speeds.

Lehigh Valley’s “Road to Rail” initiative studying possible passenger rail service

A study being led by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is looking at the possibility of restoring passenger rail to Philadelphia.

CTA awards 95th Street Terminal construction contract

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board has approved the award of a construction contract for the new, modern and larger 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest rail station projects in CTA history that will modernize transit and promote economic opportunity on Chicago’s south side.

SEPTA names new deputy GM

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has promoted Richard Burnfield to deputy general manager. He will also continue to serve as SEPTA’s treasurer, a position he has held for the past seven years. He will report directly to General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel.

Gillespie Joins Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems Practice as VP

Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) has hired Andrew Gillespie, PE, as vice president of the Transit and Rail Systems division and director of special projects.

FTA to take over WMATA rail safety oversight

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is moving the safety oversight of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail operations to the Federal Transit Administration.

Wabtec Corporation acquires Track IQ

Wabtec Corporation has acquired the assets of Track IQ, a manufacturer of wayside sensor systems for the global rail industry. Track IQ has annual sales of about $15 million.

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