MTA to reopen Smith-9th Streets FG Station in late April

After a two-year rehabilitation project, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Smith-9th Streets Station, serving the F and G lines, will reopen on April 22.

NYCT maintenance program planned for Upper East Side

Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Upper East Side of Manhattan on the 4, 5 and 6 lines, starting March 25.

Schuster names new head of House T&I Committee communications team

U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) appointed Jim Billimoria to lead the committee’s communications and public relations efforts in the 113th Congress.

NRC Conference heats up south beach

The 2013 National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Annual Conference in Florida can be marked as another success.

Oregon lawmakers approve Columbia River Crossing funding

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill that provides $450 million in funding for the Columbia River Crossing project, which partners the Oregon and Washington state departments of transportation in a proposal to replace the I-5 bridge, extend light-rail to Vancouver, Wash., improve interchanges and enhance pedestrian and bicycle pathways.

Broward County approves operational funds for streetcar project

In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “The Wave” modern streetcar has been given unanimous approval by the Broward County Commission and is expected to open by 2016. The county’s portion, which funds operating and maintenance costs, is $2.5 million annually.

Amtrak reaches new agreement with UTU

After more than two years of negotiations, the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation (UTU-SMART) general committees representing some 2,300 Amtrak members have reached a deal on a new contract.

BLET readies for 150th anniversary

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will enter its 150th year on May 8, 2013. BLET notes that it is the oldest transportation labor organization in North America.

Rail shows largest improvement in ASCE infrastructure report card

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” on Tuesday, March 19. The report is an assessment of 16 infrastructure categories in the United States that takes place every four years.

Northeast transit agencies receive second round of Sandy relief funds

The second allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) storm-related aid through the FY 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act has been released.

WMATA ramped up rebuilding effort in 2012

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) massive rebuilding and modernization efforts accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2012, with $230 million invested in projects to make the system safer and more reliable.

CHSRA approves MOU for Bay area rail improvements

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) to enhance the rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.

SEPTA names new chief engineer

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) promoted Andrew Gillespie to chief engineer, in the Engineering, Maintenance & Construction Division.

RTD West Rail Line named one of most significant construction projects

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District (RTD) West Rail Line project has been named one of the most significant construction projects of 2012 by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

FRA to study Oklahoma-Texas high-speed service

The Federal Railroad Administration has filed a Notice of Intent to prepare a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the Texas Department of Transportation to study potential new and/or improved high-speed intercity passenger rail service

Gov. Patrick files transportation bond bill, includes money for rail

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick filed a transportation bond bill to authorize and fund the administration’s 21st Century Transportation Plan “The Way Forward,” a10-year plan to modernize and maintain the comonwealth’s transportation system.

MTA restores Bronx subway station

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority rededicated its East180th Street subway station on March 15 following a rehabilitation of the century-old structure.

Amtrak Board of Directors elects new chairman, vice chairman

The Amtrak Board of Directors elected Anthony Coscia to be its next chairman and elected Jeffrey Moreland as vice chairman.

TTC begins next stage of TTYSSE tunnel construction

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) has entered the next stage of tunnel construction where two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) “Yorkie” and “Torkie” will create twin tunnels linking the site of the future Highway 407 Station to the Steeles West Station site.

Sound Transit to host open house on Tacoma Link expansion

In Seattle, Wash., Sound Transit will conduct an open house on March 19 as part of an alternatives analysis to seek public input on the narrowing down of corridor alternatives for a potential project to expand the 1.6-mile Tacoma Link light-rail system that now operates between the Tacoma Dome and Theater District stations.

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