UIUC opens RAIL to advance better track designs
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) located at the Harry Schnabel, Jr., Lab.
Passenger
WMATA plans to accept Silver Spring Transit Center from Montgomery County
Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) received a formal request from Montgomery County to transfer the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center into the regional transit system.
SEPTA West Trenton passenger service to separate from CSX freight operations
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) will finalize separation of its West Trenton Regional Rail Line from a CSX freight line.
New York Assemblyman wants MTA to look into reactivating rail spur
New York Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Howard Beach) has called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to apply for funds from a recently-announced New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) infrastructure grant to fund a comprehensive feasibility study into reactivation of the abandoned Rockaway Beach rail spur.
SEPTA GM Joseph M. Casey to retire
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Joseph Casey, who has led the authority since 2008 and completed 34 years of service in a number of roles, will retire September 30, 2015.
WSDOT resumes landslide mitigation work along Everett and Mukilteo rail lines
This week in Washington state, crews will start landslide mitigation work near Mukilteo and Everett to help limit landslides that disrupt passenger train service north of Seattle.
Fiscal Management Board endorses MBTA, Keolis service improvement plan
The Fiscal and Management Control Board has endorsed the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) plan to improve service for tens of thousands of commuter rail passengers over the course of the next five months.
Metro-North to receive additional federal funds for Sandy resiliency work
Metro-North Railroad is set to receive more than $20 million in federal emergency relief funding for its Power and Signal Resiliency Improvements project. Local match will be provided through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Plan Amendment 2010-2014 in the amount of $6,932,500.
FTA proposed rule to establish new safety program for transit industry
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed a rule to establish a Public Transportation Safety Program under FTA’s new safety oversight authority established by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
FASTRACK returns to 1, 2 and 3 lines
For the first time this year, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s FASTRACK program returns to stations along the 1, 2 and 3 lines between Midtown Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn for two consecutive weeks starting August 17.
UTA CEO/President Michael Allegra to retire
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Allegra has given notice of his intention to retire and will step down on August 28, 2015. Allegra will remain available as a senior advisor to the chair of the board of trustees through March 2016 and the board will begin a national search for a new transit executive to lead the agency. During this time of transition, Vice President of Operations Jerry Benson will serve as interim general manager.
Maryland could lose $100 million in federal funds over canceled Red Line
Maryland may lose out on $100 million in federal funding that was slated for use in the Red Line transit project, which was canceled by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
Trackwork to begin on Metra’s Rock Island Line
As part of Metra‘s continued efforts to maintain and improve the quality and reliability of its service, a major tie replacement and track resurfacing project will begin August 17 on the Rock Island Line to Joliet.
MTA appoints interim NYCT president
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast named James Ferrara as interim president of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT).
Crews continue fortification work on NYCT Cranberry Tube
The Cranberry Tube, which carries the A and C Lines between Lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, will be shut down in both directions for 40 non-consecutive weekends for Superstorm Sandy-related repairs.
CHSRA issues RFQ for environmental and engineering servies
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for environmental and engineering services for the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section and the San Jose to Merced Project Section of the high-speed rail program.
Hadnett named president of HNTB West Division
Art Hadnett joined HNTB Corporation as senior vice president and president of the firm’s West Division, overseeing vital and complex infrastructure programs in growth markets, including rail/transit.
Engineers share views on 2015 trends
For North American railroad engineering departments, safety is the top feature required in a piece of equipment, while dealing with tight work windows is a shared issue across both freight and passenger operations.
WMATA receives independent auditor’s report for FY2014
The Washing Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors received an independent audit of its FY2014 Financial Statements from McGladrey LLP, which WMATA says is a significant milestone in its work to improve financial management.