APTA: Public transit receives overwhelming voter support
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says that voters on Tuesday continued their strong support for public transportation at the local level.
Passenger
Sound Transit gears up for East Link South Bellevue station and alignment construction
Sound Transit will host an open house November 6, which will showcase the completed design for East Link’s South Bellevue station and alignment and provide information on early construction activities that will start in 2015.
WMATA looks ahead to next year’s budget
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will begin discussions this week to develop a balanced budget for FY2016; the general manager/chief executive officer will present a budget proposal in December, which will lead to budget adoption in early 2015.
LACMTA to close stations for Blue Line improvements
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Blue Line Pacific Coast Highway and Anaheim stations in Long Beach will each receive a second canopy along with improvements, such as lighting, new paint, replacement of worn or damaged tiles and the installation of new tracks and track beds.
FASTRACK returns to Manhattan and Queens Nov. 3
On November 3, 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 for four consecutive weeknights. E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and World Trade Center; F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and 21 St-Queensbridge; M service will end early between 71 Av. and Essex St. each night and R service will end early between 71 Av. and 36 St. in Brooklyn each night.
Construction begins on new Amtrak Rochester, N.Y., station
Construction has started on the $29.8-million Amtrak Rochester Intermodal Station in Rochester, N.Y., which will reduce regional delays by expanding track service at the station, increase functionality through a new and redesigned concourse and enhance the overall passenger experience in the larger, modern station. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
NTSB cites poor safety management in five Metro-North accidents
In its investigation of five Metro-North accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified several recurring safety issues, including inadequate and ineffective track inspection and maintenance, extensive deferred maintenance issues, inadequate safety oversight and deficiencies in passenger car crashworthiness, roadway worker protection procedures and organizational safety culture.
All Aboard Florida begins construction on Ft. Lauderdale Station
October 29, 2014, marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida‘s downtown Fort Lauderdale station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the nearly 60,000-square-foot station and platform can begin.
Amtrak assembles blue ribbon panel to address Chicago gridlock
Amtrak is establishing a blue ribbon panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address the rail traffic gridlock in Chicago. Amtrak said the unprecedented level of rail congestion is causing major delays for Amtrak passengers and freight shipments.
MTA hires former NTSB managing director as first head of safety; board to consider contract for pocket track and bridge replacement
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named David Mayer as the agency’s new chief safety officer.
Caltrain celebrates a decade of Baby Bullet service; coalition to coordinate funds for modernization
As Caltrain marks its 10th year of Baby Bullet service, major employers that have grown their companies along the Caltrain/101 corridor announced the formation of a new advocacy coalition that will work to support efforts to expand Caltrain capacity and service as the system struggles to meet the unprecedented ridership and financial demands it’s facing.
Proposed 2015 CTA budget holds fares, continues system improvements
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has proposed a balanced $1.44 billion budget that, for the fourth year in a row, maintains or improves transit service levels and holds the line on base fares, while continuing investment in projects and programs to improve the customer experience and modernize regional transit.
Contract awarded for three new Connecticut to Massachusetts rail stations
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) revealed plans for three new train stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin, Conn., as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.
MTA marks 110 years of New York subway service
October 27th, 2014, marks the 110th anniversary of the New York City Transit subway system. The first train ran north from City Hall to 145th Street and Broadway. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) notes that the New York City Transit system that now benefits 5.8 million daily customers sprang from a single line that didn’t leave the confines of Manhattan.
Foothill Gold Line completes work at 14 crossings ahead of schedule
On the heels of last week’s completion of all light rail track installation for the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has achieved another major milestone for the project – completion of all 14 grade crossings for the 11.5-mile light-rail extension, three months ahead of schedule.
MTA works to fight “slime” on rail lines
The foliage, while colorful and plentiful this time of year, is not always ideal for the railroad, notes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). That’s because when leaves fall on the rails, they become crushed and produce an oily substance known as pectin. MTA says this “slime” can cause wheels to slip or slide when a train attempts to speed up or slow down, often leading to minor service delays.
CREATE’s Englewood Flyover opens
On October 23, federal, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the $142-million Englewood Flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood.
FASTRACK comes to the Lexington Av. Line
On October 27, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) brings FASTRACK to the 4, 5 and 6 lines in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Service on all three lines will be suspended in both directions between Grand Central-42 St. and Atlantic Av.-Barclays Ctr. for four consecutive weeknights until October 31.
Elecnor, Cobra short-listed for Caltrain Modernization Program
Elecnor, in a joint venture with Cobra, has been short-listed for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP), a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program in California. The project worth nearly $1.23 billion and scheduled to be implemented by 2019.
HDR hires transportation director
Randy Altshuler joined HDR as the firm’s West Region transportation director, based in the Oakland, Calif., office. His responsibilities include leading business development activities and growth strategies throughout the West Region.