On May 4, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) will bring FASTRACK to the Q on the Brighton Line between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr. and Prospect Park for two consecutive weeks of maintenance and repairs during weeknights and overnight hours.
A rigorous state audit validated Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) financial projection process and reaffirmed that BART is facing $9.6 billion in capital needs, potentially affecting the reliability of rail service if additional revenue isn’t secured. The audit reports BART has taken recent steps to improve its process for planning capital improvements and has already begun work to secure funding and identify potential future funds.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James Redeker say the design for a new Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk is progressing and remains on schedule.
The Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) approved two contracts related to TEX Rail.
Ontario is moving ahead with the $1.2-billion Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, a priority transit investment in the city of Toronto that will bring much-needed rapid transit to communities along Finch Avenue West.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) says that design modifications made to enhance the safety and reliability of the Metrorail Silver Line, along with remaining work to finalize Phase 1 of the overall project, will add $76 million, or about 2.6 percent, to the previously announced Phase 1 cost. The new Phase 1 cost remains within the original federally approved Phase 1 budget.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Palmdale, Calif., have entered into a station-area funding agreement, allowing the city and CHSRA to initiate the planning process for the proposed high-speed rail station adjacent to the civic center and the Palmdale Transportation Center (PTC). This agreement allows both parties to study ways to promote economic development, encourage station area development and enhance multimodal connections between the station and the city.
The Federal Railroad Administration has approved a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan of $967.1 million to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which will finance the installment of positive train control on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad (Metro North).
Analysis released by the Metropolitan Council (Met Council) concludes that test results and project delays have increased the cost of the Southwest LRT Project to $1.994 billion – a $341-million increase.
The 20th Annual AAR Research Review was held March 31-April 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Hotel Elegante. The review brought approximately 550 attendees to the event, which had a theme of “Research Innovation for Current and Future Needs of North American Railways.”
Metrolinx is moving forward with plans to add a new GO station on the Barrie GO Line at Eglinton Avenue West to serve the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Bentley Systems, Inc., issued its call for submissions to the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program; the deadline for entries is May 31, 2015.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed “An Act for a Reliable, Sustainable MBTA,” acting on many of the recommendations made by the special panel that reported their findings earlier this month.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in conjunction with the Illinois Capital Development Board, has started a series of listening sessions to discuss the state’s infrastructure needs and the steps required “to make sure the right investments are being made to keep Illinois competitive in a 21st century global economy.” The meetings will be held in multiple communities throughout the state over the next month, with a goal of presenting Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office with a comprehensive package of recommendations for consideration this spring.
Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced their version of a Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill that joins a similar effort introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received five qualified bids for Construction Package 4 (CP4) – the next 22-mile mile phase of construction through the counties of Tulare and Kern and the cities of Wasco and Shafter.
Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have moved to begin tunneling the western segment of the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit (LRT).
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) named five to executive staff. CHSRA named Scott Jarvis chief engineer, Kevin Thompson director of engineering, Bruce Armistead director of operations and maintenance, Alan Glen director of real property and William Robinson senior legislative analyst.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded eight grants totaling more than $21.2 million that invest in grade-crossing safety, Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation and passenger rail.
Chicago’s Metra has created the “Confidential Close Call Reporting System,” which is designed to proactively address safety issues and create a more positive safety culture.