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.

WMATA celebrates first year of Silver Line

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) celebrated the first year of Silver Line service from Largo Town Center to Wiehle-Reston East July 27.

HNTB adds Thompson as principal tunnel engineer

HNTB Corporation hired Jimmy Thompson as principal tunnel engineer in its national tunnel practice out of its Oakland, Calif., office. Thompson has 30 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and specializes in tunnels and underground facilities.

MTA gives preliminary approval of two CBTC contracts

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) gave preliminary approval to two contracts totaling $205.8 million to Siemens Industry Inc. and Thales Transport & Security for the installation of a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system on the Queens Boulevard Line.

Canada pledges funds toward Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT

The Canadian government says that it will provide CA$1 billion (US$800 million) in funding for Ottawa, ON, planned Stage 2 light-rail transit project.

LACMTA Board approves project to enhance pedestrian safety at 27 Blue Line intersections

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approved a budget of $30 million for a project that will add pedestrian gates on both sides of the tracks at 27 LACMTA and Union Pacific intersections along the Blue Line.

Sound Transit names preferred alternative for Kent/Des Moines light-rail extension

The Sound Transit Board of Directors has identified a preferred alternative for extending light rail to Kent/Des Moines and, when funding is available, to Federal Way. The route, with stations near Highline College, South 272nd Street and the Federal Way Transit Center, would travel along the west side of Interstate 5 between stations and maximize future transit-oriented development around the stations.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions Consortium awarded contract for Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Crosslinx Transit Solutions Joint Venture has been awarded a contract for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit project in Toronto, ON, Canada. In 2010, the province of Ontario announced an investment of CA$5.3 billion for construction costs for the Crosstown LRT.

MTA Financial Plan generates new Capital Program funding

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) July 2015 Financial Plan will generate up to $2.4 billion worth of new funding for the 2015-19 Capital Program, due to unanticipated revenues, greater cost savings and more efficient operations.

Texas high-speed rail project names new CEO; gets $75 million boost

The Texas Central Partners (Texas Central) Board of Directors has appointed Tim Keith as the new chief executive officer for the organization effective immediately.

SENER gets contract for preliminary design of 45 miles of California high-speed project


The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) awarded SENER the contract to develop the engineering and environmental services for the Palmdale to Burbank section of the California high-speed line.

Jacobs awarded contract for California High-Speed Rail

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. was awarded a contract to provide design services for the Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3) of the California High Speed Rail, which represents the continuation of construction on the California high-speed rail system south towards Kern County.

Gov. Baker appoints five-member board to oversee MBTA fiscal overhaul

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appointed the five-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) and designated Joe Aiello as chair immediately after signing into law the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

HART awards construction contract for West Oahu stations

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) officially awarded the contract to build the three stations in the West Oahu Station group to Nan, Inc.

The T appoints CFO/VP of Finance

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) appointed Monica Fowler to chief financial officer and vice president of finance.

RTD staff recommends Balfour Beatty Infrastructure proposal for SE rail extension

Staff of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) recommended that the RTD Board of Directors move forward with a proposal from Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension on July 14.

Ontario Northland ratifies five-year agreement with Teamsters Rail

Northland Transportation Commission (Ontario Northland) and Teamsters Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) ratified a new five-year collective agreement with 94 percent of the vote was in favor of the agreement.

U.S. House transportation funding: Another deadline, another extension

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a five-month, $8-billion extension of surface transportation programs on July 15. The new extension would give lawmakers until Dec. 18 to find a longer-term solution.

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