BLET celebrates 150th anniversary
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 8; the union was founded on May 8, 1863.
Passenger
CTA seeks bids for $203-million Wilson Red Line station construction
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has issued an Invitation for Bids, seeking a general contractor for the $203-million reconstruction of the Wilson Red Line station. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall and continue through 2016.
ARDA annual meeting speakers confirmed
The 107th American Railway Development Association Annual Meeting June 2-5 in San Francisco, Calif., will feature presentations from a long list of industry professionals.
Feds provide $30.2 million to Amtrak for Sandy repairs
The Federal Railroad Administration has released $30.2 million to Amtrak to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along its Northeast Corridor. The funding comes from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.
Caltrain reviews budget, ridership increases
California’s Caltrain presented a preliminary report to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates Caltrain, indicating the rail service’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget will be balanced, but warning that Fiscal Year 2015 faces a significant budget shortfall.
NYCT brings FASTRACK to the N and R Fourth Avenue line
Starting May 6, Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the N and R Fourth Avenue line in Brooklyn.
L.B. Foster delivers pipe for San Francisco transit center
L.B. Foster Company has delivered approximately 2,600 tons of 36-inch diameter steel pipe to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., for use as lateral shoring struts in the excavation of San Francisco’s new Transbay Transit Center.
LIRR performs annual trackwork on Montauk Branch
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will focus on its annual track renewal and maintenance program along its Montauk Branch to the south shore of eastern Suffolk County May 4 and May 6-9.
Gannett Fleming receives award for Amtrak security project
Gannett Fleming received a Distinguished Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey’s (ACEC/NJ) annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition for its work on the Amtrak Security Improvements project.
LACMTA proposes $4.9 billion FY14 budget
Los Angles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will hold a public hearing on a draft $4.891-billion budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 on May 15 at LACMTA Headquarters in Los Angeles.
Amtrak turns 42, calls for federal funding
On May 1, 1971, Amtrak began operations as an intercity passenger rail service provider, marking today, May 1, 2013, as its 42nd anniversary. As Amtrak celebrates this milestone, it is seeking a multi-year federal investment.
Network Rail comes to North America
Network Rail Consulting, the international consultancy arm of rail infrastructure company Network Rail, has joined the North American rail market after bidding to become a part of Amtrak‘s Northeast Corridor (NEC) Partner Forum.
SEPTA holds “Make the Safe Choice” Safety Awareness Day
To remind the public of the dangers of walking along, playing by or cutting across its train and trolley tracks and through its rail yards and depots, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) held its first-ever “Make the Safe Choice” Safety Awareness Day on May 1.
NJ Transit introduces mobile ticketing pilot program
New Jersey Transit has introduced a mobile ticketing pilot program that will transform Pascack Valley Line customers’ smart phones into their train tickets.
MARTA proposed FY14 budget avoids fare increase in 2014
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has proposed a Fiscal Year 2014 Budget that will preserve existing transit service and avoid a previously projected 25-cent fare increase as part of a five-year strategy to stabilize the agency’s finances, improve the overall customer experience and build employee morale.
Metro-North begins embankment stabilization on Hudson Line
As part of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority‘s Capital Program, an $8.6-million effort is underway to stabilize a portion of Metro-North Railroad‘s Hudson Line where tracks sit on a thin ledge near the river.
Sound Transit’s South 200th Link extension breaks ground
In Washington state, Sound Transit began extending Link light rail to a new station 1.6 miles south of Sea-Tac International Airport.
MWAA names lead bid for Silver Line Phase 2
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has issued a Notice of Recommended Award to Capital Rail Constructors for the major design-build portion of Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
Feds still onboard with Honolulu rail project
Federal funding for Honolulu’s rail transit project remains on track according to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Sound Transit Board approves cost-saving refinements to East Link alignment
In Washington state, the Sound Transit Board has unanimously approved refinements to the alignment for the East Link light-rail extension in Bellvue. The city previously approved the cost-savings plan, as reported by RT&S on April 24, 2013.