NCDOT undergoes organizational changes

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) made organizational adjustments to focus on being efficient, customer-service-focused and dedicated to leveraging infrastructure to create jobs.

Obama renews call for infrastructure investment

President Obama resumed a push for infrastructure investment first outlined in his State of the Union speech. The plan outlines three main points to bring the nation’s infrastructure into a state-of-good-repair and create jobs “that cannot be outsourced.”

Minnesota Central Corridor bridge retrofit wins engineering award

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Minnesota awarded the Metropolitan Council and AECOM Technology Corporation a 2013 Engineering Excellence Grand Award

Contract awarded for Second Avenue Subway station finishes at 72nd Street

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded a contract for the station finishes, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ancillary buildings and entrances for the future Second Avenue Subway 72nd Street Station to Judlau Contracting Inc.

2013 capital expenditures keep industry on the fast track

In another record-setting year, North American railroads continue to invest in themselves with capacity expansion and maintenance projects.

Construction begins on Winter Park station for Amtrak, SunRail

On Feb. 13, 2013, the city of Winter Park, Fla., in partnership with Amtrak, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), broke ground for a new $1.2-million depot fronting on Central Park and the shopping and dining district.

SFMTA reaches private property lease terms for Central Subway construction

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) finalized the lease terms with the owner of the Pagoda Palace property in North Beach, Calif.

Sen. Lautenberg outlines transportation subcommittee priorities, announces retirement

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) outlined his goals in 2013 as chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security, before retiring in 2014.

Amtrak names two to operations positions

Amtrak named Thomas Hall chief of customer services and Jay Commer general manager of state-supported services. Both will report directly to Vice President of Operations DJ Stadtler, effective immediately.

Piedmont Improvement Program grade separation begins with Hopson Road bridge

Work on the $24-million railroad bridge at Hopson Road in Durham, N.C., that will make train and vehicular travel safer and faster while boosting the local economy has begun.

Amtrak, Michigan DOT gear up for track improvements

Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are gearing up for track improvements along the former Norfolk Southern (NS) route used by Amtrak Wolverine Service and Blue Water trains from Kalamazoo to central and eastern Michigan. Amtrak has responsibility for this infrastructure, effective Feb. 16.

Darby Road site is SEPTA’s pick for Paoli Intermodal Transportation Center

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has designated the Darby Road Extension Alternative as the preferred site for the proposed Paoli Intermodal Transportation Center.

Ottawa’s Confederation Line project agreement finalized

In Ottawa, ON, Canada, the city finalized the project agreement with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to design, build, finance and maintain its new 12.5-kilometer (7.7-mile) Confederation Line Light Rail project.

ARTBA analysis shows states invested in rail-related projects in 2012

State departments of transportation (DOTs) and local governments committed a little more than $117 billion in funding for transportation-related construction projects during 2012,

APTA praises Obama for connecting jobs and public transit infrastructure investment

Michael Melaniphy, president and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), congratulated President Obama for “highlighting the connection between American jobs and transportation

Senate transportation subcommittee members named

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works named the Senate Transportation Subcommittee members for the 113th Congress.

CTA plans track rehab of Wells Street Bridge in spring

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will perform trackwork on the Wells Street Bridge this spring, ceasing train service on the bridge for two nine-day periods in March and April.

Transportation committee to focus on federal role in infrastructure at hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold its first hearing of the 113th Congress entitled “The Federal Role in America’s Infrastructure.”

ELPC releases Midwest high-speed rail supply chain report

A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows “investment in the next generation of rail would increase rail manufacturing and jobs throughout the industrial Midwest.”

WMATA report card shows gains in 2012

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WAMTA) made significant gains in train reliability, reduced employee and customer injuries, as well as other markers in 2012, according to its annual “Vital Signs” report card, which will be presented to its board of directors Feb. 14.

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