Gannett Fleming names Edraki VP of Canadian operations

Alireza Edraki, PEng, PMP, has joined Gannett Fleming as a vice president of Canadian operations for Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems.

APTA recognizes winners of Rail Rodeo, safety and security awards

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named the winners of its annual Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards, as well as the Rail Transit Team Achievement Award during its annual Rail Conference taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gov. Baker pledges funding for Springfield Union Station redevelopment

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have committed the remaining funds necessary to reach the total goal required to complete the redevelopment of Union Station in Springfield, Mass.

SEPTA begins monthly PTC update as deadline approaches

With the Congressionally-mandated December 31, 2015, deadline for many freight lines and all intercity and commuter rail systems to install, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has been working continuously over the past seven years to build and install a Positive Train Control (PTC) system across its regional rail network.

Canada pledges to cover one-third of Toronto’s proposed SmartTrack line

The government of Canada committed to provide approximately CA$2.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) toward Toronto’s SmartTrack regional express rail surface line. The funds would come from the government’s new Public Transit Fund (PTF).

Senate version of passenger rail bill introduced

U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act” on June 19. The senators say the bill is written to “improve passenger rail safety, reauthorize Amtrak services and improve existing rail infrastructure.”

MTA, OLI team up to promote crossing safety

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Operation Lifesaver, Inc., formed a partnership to promote safety at Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road crossings.

DART says new appointments will bolster operations, safety and strategic planning

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has appointed Maureen McCole, Garrome Franklin and David Schulze to the roles of vice president, commuter rail/railroad management, vice president, chief safety officer and vice president for policy and strategy, respectively.

CHSRA awards design-build contract to Dragados USA/Flatiron JV

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) awarded a $1.23-billion contract to construct a 60-plus mile portion of high-speed rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco to the joint venture team of Dragados USA and Flatiron.

MetCouncil appoints next regional administrator

Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck has appointed Wes Kooistra as regional administrator of the Twin Cities area council, replacing Pat Born, who will retire July 3.

FTA says WMATA has “serious safety lapses”

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently conducted an inspection of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail and bus systems that identified “organizational deficiencies and operational concerns that significantly limit WMATA’s ability to recognize and resolve safety issues.”

MassDOT completes line acquisition from CSX

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) completed the $23 million acquisition of the Framingham Secondary Rail Line, a 21-mile segment of rail that connects Framingham and Mansfield, from CSX.

GREX acquires bridge monitoring company

Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) has acquired SENSR from Reference LLC, located in Elkader, Iowa. The company is now known as SENSR Monitoring Technologies, LLC (SMT), a wholly- owned subsidiary of GREX.

Construction begins on first aerial structure for California HSR project

Construction has begun on the first aerial structure that will eventually host 200 mph rail as part of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s high-speed project.

Ontario Northland and Teamsters Rail reach agreement for MOW employees

Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (Ontario Northland) and Teamsters Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) have reached a tentative five-year collective agreement.

Granite names Rantala to head business development

Granite Construction Incorporated named Richard Rantala senior vice president of business development, reporting to Granite Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Miller.

Rebuilding a legacy

Dependable, long-term funding allowed SEPTA to take on a $5 billion backlog of state-of-good-repair projects.

O-Train Confederation Line kicks off track installation with laying of first rail

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa–Orléans), Bob Chiarelli, Member of Provincial Parliament (Ottawa West–Nepean) and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson installed the first official rail of the O-Train Confederation Line light-rail transit project June 12.

DSEIS for LACMTA’s Regional Connector project released

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project, an underground light-rail system under construction that will connect the existing LACMTA Gold, Blue and Expo lines in downtown Los Angeles.

BART Board approves FY16 budget

With record ridership stretching Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) resources, the board of directors voted to direct money to initiatives designed to increase train passenger capacity and to improve on-time performance through a $1.57 billion FY16 budget.

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