GAO issues PTC report, urges flexibility with implementation

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) made public its report on positive train control (PTC) implementation and issued a trio of recommendations including extending the deadline, approving alternative safety technologies and granting provisional certification of PTC systems.

CTA, LIRR launch rail safety campaigns

As part of its continuing focus on customer safety, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has launched a new informational campaign reminding “L” riders about the dangers of trespassing on CTA railroad tracks.

Ruddell to retire from The T in October

The president and executive director of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T), Dick Ruddell plans to retire, effective October 4.

Chicago goes through LOOP therapy

CTA and its contractors work to overhaul 30-year-old track components in the heart of one of North America’s largest cities.

MBTA celebrates groundbreaking for new Salem Commuter Rail Station

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott recently joined state and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new MBTA Salem Commuter Rail Station.

Sec. Foxx joins Florida congressmen to discuss state’s TIGER grant

On September 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx joined four members of Congress, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Ted Deutch D-(FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Patrick Murphy (D-FL) and other local leaders to talk about how the South Florida Freight and Passenger Rail Enhancement project will help South Florida.

Washington State Supreme Court rules in favor of East Link light rail across I-90

The Washington State Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to stop the construction of East Link light rail across Lake Washington on I-90.

SEPTA details doomsday rail plan to deal with funding shortage

Joseph Casey, general manager of The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), said that without an infusion of funding for a backlog of critical state of good repair projects, the authority will have to significantly shrink the transit system over the next 10 years, including major reductions in rail service.

BART’s Oakland Airport Connector one year away from completion

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) said the Oakland Airport Connector (Connector) project is on time, on budget and will be complete one year from now.

FRA issues FONSI for NLX rail project

The Northern Lights Express (NLX), a proposed intercity passenger service between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., may proceed to preliminary engineering after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment.

Honolulu rail construction to resume September 16

The Honolulu City Council passed resolutions granting Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) the special management area use and shoreline setback variance permits required to resume rail construction.

CREATE Blue Island Modernization Project completed

A $9.7 million project to add freight railroad mobility and relieve congestion for the commuting public in the Chicago region has been completed in Blue Island, Ill.

LACMTA issues “Notice to Proceed” for Crenshaw/LAX Line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority issued a Notice to Proceed to Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors for the Crenshaw/LAX Line.

Gannett Fleming consolidates GFT&RS, Transit and Rail Practice under Mulqueen

Bryan Mulqueen, the national manager of Gannett Fleming’s Transit & Rail Practice, has taken on added responsibility for Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS), along with the operations of the firm’s Transit and Rail Practice in the northeast United States.

SEPTA’s Bridgeport Viaduct project reaches halfway mark

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Bridgeport Viaduct project reached the 50 percent completion point.

CTA begins major work on Ravenswood Connector rehab project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will begin major construction work on the $71.2 million Ravenswood Connector rehabilitation project.

Maryland Purple Line FEIS released

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), published the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation (FEIS) on September 6, marking the start of the 30-day public comment period.

Sound Transit to detail progress of Bel-Red corridor East Link extension

Sound Transit will hold an open house for community members to review the progress of the East Link extension along the Bel-Red corridor, which is now approximately 60 percent complete.

Streetcars return to Salt Lake City, Dec. 8

The first streetcar to travel Utah’s streets in more than 50 years will be open for service starting December 8, 2013.

TIGER V grants $474 million to 52 projects in 37 states

Fifty-two transportation projects in 37 states will receive a total of approximately $474 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Among these, $146 million will help fund rail projects.

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