Feds close on $1.28 billion TIFIA loan to MWAA for Silver Line Phase Two

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) closed a $1.28-billion Transportation Infrastructure Financial Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for construction of Phase Two of the Metrorail Silver Line extension.

Massachusetts to purchase rail line for Knowledge Corridor project

The commonwealth of Massachusetts plans to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line between East Northfield and Springfield from Pan Am Southern, a joint venture of Pan Am and Norfolk Southern.

LACMTA prepares for Blue Line station and track overhaul

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will begin work on a major upgrade and modernization of the Blue Line in downtown Long Beach September 20.

Next phase of LIRR’s Massapequa Station improvements scheduled

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) $40-million improvement project at Massapequa Station will enter its next phase August 25 with work shifting to the station’s east end.

Hennepin County approves design for Southwest LRT

The Hennepin County Board completed its municipal approval process for preliminary design plans for the Southwest light-rail transit project, in voting to approve the portion of those plans serving the city of Minneapolis.

SCVTA plans for receipt of $39 million for BART Silicon Valley project

On August 20, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) is expected to receive the sixth and final allocation from the state of California’s Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) for SCVTA’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley project.

DART begins Orange Line service to DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officially launched light-rail passenger service August 18, connecting downtown Dallas to DFW Airport with the arrival of DART Orange Line trains into the DFW Airport Station.

Pennsylvania updates 12-year transport plan; awards funds to 39 freight projects

The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission (STC), building on the Act 89 transportation plan, has updated Pennsylvania’s 12-Year Transportation Program with a $22-billion boost in much needed transportation improvements.

Maryland allocates $100 million to state transit systems

In an effort to increase transit ridership, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is releasing nearly $100 million in grants for Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS).

All Aboard Florida plans Quiet Zone from Hallandale to West Palm Beach

All Aboard Florida and the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in coordination with the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, has secured funding for a continuous quiet zone between the city of Hallandale Beach and downtown West Palm Beach along the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC).

CTA awards contract for Brown and Purple Line trackwork

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the second phase of a major $71.2-million Brown and Purple Line renovation project with a $40.3-million contract award to Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which will upgrade tracks along the Brown and Purple Line between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.

STB approves second phase of California HSR route; ARCADIS awarded PCM contract

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted authorization to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to construct a 114-mile segment of the planned 800-mile route between Fresno and Bakersfield, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.

Another OC Bridges grade crossing moves to the completed column

The $64-million Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project in Irving, Calif., part of Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) OC Bridges program, is now open.

Batory elected to X Train Board of Directors

The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), Board of Directors elected Ronald Batory as a director.

CTA considering two Red Line extension options

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has narrowed down the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) Project to two preliminary options.

Officials visit Ottawa’s Confederation Line tunnel to view progress

On August 11, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Royal Galipeau, member of Parliament (Ottawa–Orléans) and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson toured the Confederation Line light-rail transit tunnel to see progress that has been made since mining began in October 2013.

MWAA names new chief of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected Charles Stark as the new executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, overseeing construction of the 11.4-mile Phase 2 extension of the Silver Line from Reston, Va., through Washington Dulles International Airport to Ashburn in Loudoun County, Va.

Etherton to serve as interim AREMA chief

Larry Etherton, PE, retired director engineering, Norfolk Southern and former president of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), has assumed the role of interim executive director and chief executive officer of AREMA.

Santa Clara VTA awards project contracts, considers sales tax measure

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Board of Directors awarded an $86.8-million contract to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., for the design and construction of the parking structures for VTA’s future Berryessa and Milpitas Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension stations.

CTA awarded federal Core Capacity funds for red, purple line modernization

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) a $35-million Core Capacity grant to lay the groundwork to improve service and capacity on a heavily-traveled segment of its aging North Red Line and Purple Line rail transit system.

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