SCVTA receives funds for Mountain View Double Track Project
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocated $8 million in federal funding for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track Project.
Passenger
MTA proposes $32 billion five-year capital plan
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released its proposed 2015-2019 Capital Program, which details its plan to ensure safe and reliable service for a growing region by investing in the subway, bus, commuter railroad, bridge and tunnel network.
LACMTA eyes federal funding for Phase 2 of Purple Line Extension
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is considering federal funding for phase two of its Purple Line Extension in the form of a $1.1 billion grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program and a $307 million low-interest loan from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program. The LACMTA Board would have to give approval before the transit agency could apply for the funds.
FTA awards nearly $3.6 billion in federal disaster relief funds
The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) awarded 40 projects a total of $3.59 billion in federal disaster relief funds to help public transportation systems in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy to become more resilient, in order to withstand the impact of future natural disasters.
Illinois high-speed project wraps up track and tie replacement
The Illinois high-speed rail project connecting Chicago to St. Louis reached a significant milestone in construction September 22, 2014, when the last segment of track and crossties were replaced.
CTA breaks ground on “signature” transit hub
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground on its new 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest station projects in CTA history. The $240-million reconstruction project will replace the current facility, built in 1969, creating a “signature” transit hub that will serve CTA’s busiest rail line.
SEPTA, MTA receive federal funds for storm resiliency
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have been awarded nearly $2 billion in storm resiliency funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). All of the grants are part of the FTA Emergency Relief Program & Disaster Relief Appropriations.
CTA sees decline in trespassing one year after safety campaign launch
One year after launching a campaign focused on rail-customer safety, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has seen a nearly 17 percent drop in the number of reports of people trespassing on CTA railroad tracks.
LACMTA shuts down Long Beach Loop for light rail reconstruction
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) long-planned $1.2 billion overhaul of the Blue Line will focus on the downtown Long Beach loop of the light-rail system, with a 30-day shutdown that began September 20, 2014.
Gannett Fleming names King vice president
Brian W. King, PE, has been named a vice president with Gannett Fleming. Based in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, Penn., King serves as a manager of maintenance facilities in the Transit and Rail Section.
NJ Transit, PANYNJ receive $1.5 billion in federal funds for Sandy Resiliency work
A combined $1.5 billion in Sandy resiliency grants to repair and fortify New Jersey’s transit system has been awarded to New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).
Operation Lifesaver awards 11 grants to transit agencies for “See Tracks? Think Train!” campaigns
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), is awarding $162,500 in grant funds for public awareness and safety education projects involving 11 transit agencies across the United States.
SEPTA readies for bridge and viaduct rehabilitation project
Beginning September 20, 2014 and continuing each weekend through November 23, 2014, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and third-party contractors will replace bridge timbers and make structural improvements to the Cobbs Creek and Darby Creek Viaducts along its Media/Elwyn regional line in Delaware.
Senate Commerce Committee passes STB reauthorization act; PRRIA passes House T&I Committee
Two pieces of rail-related legislation have progressed on opposite sides of the hill.
AAR: STB reauthorization bill could thwart railroads’ ability to invest in expansion projects
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is expressing concerns over the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Bill (S.2777), scheduled to be marked up in the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.
WSDOT, FRA complete Kelso Martin’s Bluff Rail Project environmental study
The Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently completed the environmental study of the Kelso Martin’s Bluff Rail Project in Washington state, which would provide more frequent and reliable service for Amtrak Cascades passengers between Seattle and Portland.
M-1 Rail holds track signing event, unveils station sponsors
United States Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx joined local, state and federal government officials, private donors and the Detroit community at a track signing ceremony where he formally announced $12.2-million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funding for the M-1 Rail project. All of the streetcar project donors were recognized, including the two newest: Ford Motor Company and DTE Energy.
NYCT completes Montague Tube Sandy recovery work
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) marked the restoration of normal R subway service September 15 between Brooklyn and Manhattan with the successful completion of the Montague Tube subway tunnel that was damaged during Superstorm Standy.
Metro-North begins bridge cable replacement project
Starting September 15, crews will begin work at the Harlem River Lift Bridge in New York to replace 60-year-old cables that lift the bridge and install all new electrical components designed to increase their resiliency to potential storm surge flooding.
Additional TIGER grants announced in six states and District of Columbia
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $53.7 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants that will help rail projects in six states and District of Columbia.