Two US transit projects named finalists for “Be Inspired” awards program
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, provider of software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, has released the list of project finalists in the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program.
Passenger
Metra safety director wins international safety award
Metra Director of Safety Hilary Konczal has been named to the World Safety Organization (WSO) Board of Directors and received the group’s James K. Williams Award for his dedication to programs and practices that promote safety.
Foothill Gold Line LRT reaches substantial completion on Pasadena to Azusa segment
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and its contractor marked the substantial completion of the Pasadena, Calif., to Azusa, Calif., segment. The construction authority said the $1-billion project is on budget and on time with passenger service expected to begin in the spring of 2016.
Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown TBMs to begin westward bore
The Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit tunnel boring machines named Don and Humber will begin their journey westward on September 29, 2015, marking another milestone toward the completion of the new LRT.
APTA: Two-thirds of Americans are likely to use high-speed rail if available
According to a 2015 survey released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), if high-speed rail were available today, two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans are likely to use high-speed trains and this jumps to nearly seventy (67) percent when respondents were informed of the costs and time saving benefits of high-speed rail service.
Steps taken at federal level to speed up infrastructure projects
The White House Office of Management and Budget, Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Department of Transportation says the Obama Administration will take steps to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, including an enhanced Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard, new guidance to federal agencies establishing metrics for the permitting and environmental review of infrastructure projects.
MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board’s first report not glowing, but encouraging
In its first report to the legislature, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) detailed underlying problems at the MBTA that are even more serious and deep-seated than reported in April by the Special Panel to Review the authority.
Metra warns of service shutdown without PTC deadline extension
The Metra Board of Directors has formally called on Congress to extend the Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to install Positive Train Control (PTC), agreeing with a staff analysis that in the current regulatory environment, Metra will not be able to legally operate beyond that date.
Sounder celebrates 15 years of service
September 18 marked 15 years of steadily growing ridership since the Puget Sound region’s commuters first climbed aboard Sounder commuter trains. Since Sounder began operating in 2000, more than 29 million people have used the popular commuter and game day service.
Battelle to perform MTA safety assessment
Battelle has been awarded a $3.1-million contract by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to perform an Independent Safety Assessment and safety certification support for the design and implementation of Interoperable Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) on the Queens Boulevard Line in the New York City Transit system.
Charlotte LYNX Blue Line Extension receives $180 million TIFIA loan
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina will receive a $180-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for construction of the LYNX Blue Line light-rail extension. The TIFIA loan will support the expansion of the light-rail system from Center City Charlotte to the UNC Charlotte Campus.
Richmond to Raleigh rail project gets federal approval
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the state of North Carolina and the commonwealth of Virginia have signed off on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Richmond to Raleigh (R2R) passenger rail line along the Southeast Corridor. The completion of the FEIS is one of the final steps necessary before construction of the project can move forward once funding is secured.
Las Vegas to L.A. high-speed project gets new partner: China
China Railway International USA CO., LTD. and XpressWest have agreed to form a joint venture that will accelerate the launch of the XpressWest rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nev., to Los Angeles, Calif., (Southwest Rail Network).
Knueppel to take the helm of SEPTA
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has named Jeffrey Knueppel, P.E. its next general manager. With this appointment, Knueppel will oversee 9,300 employees and full operation of the sixth largest transportation agency in the country.
Maryland’s Purple Line Project receives FTA award for excellence
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) received the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2015 Outstanding Achievement Award of Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation for the Purple Line’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
OCTA awards streetcar contract to HNTB
The Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) board of directors has selected HNTB Corporation to design the OC Streetcar project.
Laura Mohr joins HNTB as rail and transit group director for southern California
Laura Mohr joined HNTB Corporation as vice president and rail and transit group director in one of the firm’s Los Angeles offices.
Metra includes cost cutting strategies in 2016 budget
As part of its efforts to reduce costs and hold the line on spending, $5.7 million in Metra savings and efficiencies will be incorporated into the agency’s 2016 annual budget plan.
SNC-Lavalin names Bruce as president, CEO; Card to retire
SNC-Lavalin has named Neil Bruce president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, succeeding Robert Card, who will retire. Bruce will begin in his new role October 5, 2015.
GAO calls for additional oversight; AAR calls for deadline extension regarding PTC
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the process of Positive Train Control implementation. Bottom line: Most railroads will not meet the deadline.