USDOT makes $500 million available for next round of TIGER

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is making $500 million available for the seventh round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.

Testing begins on RTD East Rail Line

The Regional Transportation District of Denver’s (RTD) first two commuter rail cars rolled onto the East Rail Line for their first trip from Union Station to Denver International Airport April 3. The rail cars were pulled along the new tracks from Union Station along the 23 mile-long route at a pace of roughly 10 miles per hour. This kicks off a year-long schedule of testing and commissioning prior to opening day in 2016.

CTA to progress next phase of Ravenswood Connector project

This month, the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) will begin the next phase of a major project to rehabilitate the Ravenswood Connector, the elevated rail structure that carries Brown and Purple Line Express trains between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.

FEIS issued for Sound Transit’s Lynnwood light-rail extension

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the voter-approved Lynnwood Link light-rail extension from Northgate to Lynnwood.

BART opens Contra Costa Crossover

In northern California, a new set of crossover tracks is now in use on the busy Pittsburg/Bay Point Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line, bringing capacity relief to riders and greater ability to get around delays.

New Tri-Rail Miami International Airport Station opens April 5

In southern Florida, Tri-Rail‘s new Miami Airport Station (MIA) will open April 5, as part of the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC).

Canada extends Ontario passenger rail funding for three years

The Canadian government has decided to provide CA$5.3 million (US$4.2 million) over three years for the continued operation of the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, ON.

MARTA seeks public input on major transit expansion project

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold three public meetings in April for Connect 400, a major transit expansion project that is advancing to the next phase of planning under the federal environmental review process.

Amtrak named one of “America’s Best Employers”

Amtrak received a spot on the Forbes “America’s Best Employers 2015” list.

Secretary Foxx sends long-term transportation bill to Congress

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a six-year transportation bill to Congress.

NYCT’s FASTRACK returns to Manhattan and Queens

On March 30, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens.

MBTA suspends weekend service on Fitchburg Line to perform track upgrades

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to suspend weekend service on the Fitchburg Line from April 25 until November 22.

Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate

Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Portland-Milwaukie light-rail construction finishing up

Oregon’s TriMet said construction activities surrounding the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project are now “substantially complete” with some intermittent work taking place this summer.

LIRR begins work to replace Colonial Road Bridge

The Long Island Rail Road’s $45-million Colonial Road Improvement Project is now underway. The Colonial Road Bridge will close to vehicular traffic March 30 and contractors prepare to demolish the 115-year old bridge that spans the tracks in the Village of Thomaston near the LIRR’s Great Neck Station.

All Aboard Florida hires The Vailon Group to implement DBE program

All Aboard Florida has hired The Vailon Group to implement its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in Miami-Dade County.

Rep. Quigley calls for full funding of transit and passenger rail in 2016 THUD bill

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD), submitted a letter to the THUD Subcommittee with 10 members of the Illinois House delegation urging full funding for mass transit and passenger rail in next year’s THUD budget.

NJ Transit celebrates Newark Penn Station 80th birthday

Newark Penn Station, the gateway for New Jersey rail travel throughout the region, turned 80 years old March 23.

RAILS Act would help fund rail safety technologies for five years

Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) introduced the Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems (RAILS) Act, which reauthorizes the Rail Safety Technology Grant program to improve the safety of the nation’s railroads.

CTDOT, Metro-North plan spring bridge and maintenance work on New Haven Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Metro-North Railroad this spring will be making critical repairs on the Devon Bridge on the New Haven commuter rail line and doing maintenance work on the line’s Waterbury Branch.

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