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.

ACE provides grade separation updates

Legislators voiced support for the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) rail-roadway grade-separation projects during a progress update briefing, which focused on six projects in construction or final design and located in the cities of San Gabriel, Industry and Pico Rivera and unincorporated Los Angeles County, including Rowland Heights.

Sound Transit executes sale of green bonds to help fund light-rail extensions

Sound Transit executed the sale of nearly $1 billion of green bonds that will help fund voter-approved regional transit projects, including construction of more than 30 miles of light-rail extensions.

Two Connecticut passenger lines undergoing improvements

Crews will be out along Metro-North Railroad’s New Canaan Branch in Connecticut during the first four weekends of August to renew railroad crossings at three intersections with local streets and rebuild the railroad bridge over the Merritt Parkway.

RTD begins construction on Colorado’s longest bridge

One of the bridges along Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) North Metro Rail Line will be the longest in the FasTracks program. It will also be the longest bridge in Colorado. Construction began in early August 2015 and it will take about two years to complete.

Canada commits funds to VIA Rail’s Ottawa-Montreal corridor infrastructure improvements

The Canadian government plans to invest CA$102 million (US$77 million) over a two-year period to support several infrastructure projects that will increase the safety and efficiency of VIA Rail Canada‘s Ottawa-Montreal rail corridor for travelers.

SFMTA begins service along E Embarcadero streetcar line

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched the E Embarcadero (E Line) streetcar line, offering a single-seat ride from AT&T Park and the Caltrain station to Fisherman’s Wharf and the northeast waterfront.

Ontario to increase GO capacity on Lakeshore Lines

Ontario is partnering with the Canadian government to help to ease congestion at key crossings along the Lakeshore East and West GO Transit corridors by building new road-under-rail grade separations in Scarborough and Halton Region.

USDOT: Substantial demand underscores need for TIGER grants

Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totaled $9.8 billion, almost 20 times the $500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide.

Houston METRO launches safety initiative

Houston METRO is continuing its efforts to educate the community about safety along the light-rail lines.

MassDOT appoints new leadership team

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) named Brian Shortsleeve chief administrator for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), working alongside the newly appointed Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) and named Jeff Gonneville, a 14-year veteran of the MBTA, chief operating officer.

Caltrain electrification project gets $20 million boost from Air District

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of $20 million dollars to help fund the electrification of the Caltrain corridor.

TransLink begins three SkyTrain station improvement projects

TransLink is in the beginning stages of upgrades to three SkyTrain stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, to improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security. Construction work began at Metrotown, Commercial-Broadway and New Westminster stations this spring.

Two crossing projects receive Asia-Pacific Gateway infrastructure funds

Transport Canada has made an investment of approximately CA$16.5 million (US$12.6 million) for nine Asia-Pacific Gateway transportation infrastructure projects in British Columbia that support Asia-Pacific trade and boost the competitive advantages of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway, of which two are railroad crossing projects.

LIRR releases draft environmental assessment of Mid-Suffolk Yard-Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) made public a study that assesses the potential environmental impact of its proposed Mid-Suffolk Yard/Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project, which would enlarge the LIRR’s existing Ronkonkoma electric train yard just east of Ronkonkoma Station on land already owned by the MTA.

RTD Board approves Balfour Beatty contract for Southeast Rail Extension

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a $140-million, two-phased contract award to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension.

SacRT to open Blue Line extension in late August

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) plans to open the new Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) light-rail extension August 24. The transit district says the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.

FRA provides funds for Midwest, Southeast passenger rail planning

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is allocating $ 2,780,651 for multi-state passenger railroad planning in both the Southeast and Midwest regions.

MTA Chairman’s letter to NYC mayor urges increased capital support

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast sent a letter July 28 to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asking for more capital support.

British Columbia commits funds toward future E&N rail line

The British Columbia government has affirmed its commitment to provide CA$7 million (US$5.4 million) to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) to support the future of the E&N rail line on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.

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