Three named to top Metro-North operations posts; substation upgrade begins

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North Railroad has named three to top leadership positions.

AAR: Only 20 percent of PTC network will be ready by 2015

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) issued a new report to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) updating the industry’s progress on installing Positive Train Control (PTC) and said the industry will not meet the December 2015 deadline.

Secretary Foxx visits Birmingham intermodal transit facility, Atlanta Beltline to promote transportation investment

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently visited construction of the future site of the Birmingham Intermodal Facility as part his “Invest in America, Commit to the Future” bus tour, calling it an investment in Alabama’s economic future

Charlotte authorizes $250 million for two LYNX Blue Line projects

Charlotte City Council has authorized $249.8 million for construction of LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) and Blue Line Capacity projects.

CTA plans to rebuild northern section of Red Line and parallel Purple Line

Chicago Transit Authority revealed the next step in its continued effort to modernize the Red Line. The first phase of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) program, which will completely rebuild the northern section of the Red Line and the parallel Purple Line is expected to begin this fall.

MTA awards two East Side Access contracts

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded two contracts for the East Side Access project, the transportation megaproject that is connecting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) customers to Grand Central Terminal.

TriMet unveils name of Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge: Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People

The TriMet Bridge Naming Committee unanimously selected “Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People” for the name for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Bridge, which will be the first cable-stayed bridge for the region, extending 1,720 feet over the river.

LACMTA staff recommends design-build contractor for Regional Connector

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) staff has recommended a $927.2-million design/build contract be awarded to Regional Connector Constructors (a Joint Venture between Skanska USA Civil West California District, Inc., and Traylor Bros. Inc.) to build the Regional Connector project.

Overcoming obstacles: The Carlsbad Double Track and Bridge Project

Creating capacity within an existing infrastructure footprint can be a tricky task, but one the Carlsbad Double Track and Bridge Project succeeds in doing.

Canadian government’s subsidy to CN for Algoma Central Railway operation extended a year

The government of Canada will extend its CA$2.2-million (US$2-million) federal subsidy to Canadian National for the operation of the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario, until March 31, 2015.

Ontario commits transit funds to keep “Moving Ontario Forward”

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government is planning to build a seamless and integrated transportation network across the Canadian province with its “Moving Ontario Forward” plan, which will create jobs, boost productivity and help Ontario grow and prosper.

SEPTA to hold FY 15 budget hearings for residents

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will hold the first of a series of hearings on the Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan on April 16, in Doylestown. The hearings will provide riders and other residents an opportunity to ask questions and submit comments on the spending plan.

Amtrak, Maryland DOT, FRA partner on Susquehanna River Bridge study

Amtrak, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has launched a preliminary engineering study for rehabilitation or possible replacement of the 108-year-old Susquehanna River Rail Bridge.

LIRR begins Long Beach Branch restoration project

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is starting a $120-million construction program designed to protect the LIRR’s Long Beach Branch from the kind of devastating damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

SCVTA celebrates 25th anniversary

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) celebrated its 25th anniversary April 11. The light-rail system began as a 6.6-mile segment and has grown into 42.2 miles, 62 stations, 21 park and ride lots and a fleet of 104 trains and trolleys.

Illinois to fund restoration of Chicago to Rockford Amtrak service

The state of Illinois will make a $223-million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015.

VIA Rail puts additional monitoring measures into place at Fallowfield area crossings following Transport Canada order

Canada’s Minister of Transport, Lisa Raitt, has issued a Section 31 Notice and Order to VIA Rail to immediately address safety issues at six railway crossings in the Barrhaven community of Ottawa.

CTA readies for station renovation and Orange Line trackwork

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) next week will begin major work on the rehabilitation of the Harrison Red Line station and the Orange Line’s 18th Street Connector, as part of a larger $92 million transportation investment in the Near South Side.

Illinois’ new six-year transportation program includes $1.85 billion for public transit

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled a six-year, $8.6-billion construction program that he says will improve roads and bridges throughout Illinois while making major investments in public transportation.

Southwest light-rail shallow tunnel plan approved by Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council voted 14-2 on April 9 to approve the Southwest LRT (METRO Green Line Extension) Project, the Minneapolis area’s third light-rail transit line.

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