Santa Clara VTA’s begins construction on BART Milpitas Station

California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s contractor Skanska Shimmick Herzog (SSH), a Joint Venture with LAN/T.Y. Lin, will begin the demolition of existing buildings at the future Milpitas Bay Area Rapid Transit Station located at the southeast corner of Montague Expressway and Capitol Avenue.

Santa Clara VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Extension receives $40 million in state funds

In the San Francisco Bay-area, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Project was allocated $40 million in Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

MTA submits claims for $65 million from Tropical Storm Irene

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York has submitted its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and insurance claims to recover the $65 million in losses it suffered due to flood and wind damage to the regional transit infrastructure related to Tropical Storm Irene, which hit the region on August 28, 2011.

Knowledge Corridor construction advances

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray recently joined Congressman John Olver, Congressman Richard Neal and Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke for a first look at the potential site of the upcoming Holyoke Passenger Rail platform, signifying that construction is now underway to restore passenger rail service along the Connecticut River rail line, known as the Knowledge Corridor.

Chicago-area commuter rail bridge move a success

A commuter rail bridge, believed to be the largest truss bridge ever moved after assembly, was rolled into place over Torrence Avenue near 130th Street in Chicago, Ill.

City of Phoenix launches planPHX

Phoenix, Ariz., Mayor Greg Stanton, City Council members and community members launched planPHX, an interactive way for Phoenix residents to decide how the city grows and changes during the next 10 years through their involvement in the update of the city’s general plan, such as planning for neighborhoods along the light-rail line.

Clackamas County approves new TriMet funding agreement

Clackamas County commissioners in Oregon approved a re-negotiated agreement to lower the county’s contribution to TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie light-rail project to $19.9 million from $25 million and approved the sale of bonds to pay the obligation.

Sen. Boxer tours BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project

On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer toured the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project, the largest transportation infrastructure project in Santa Clara County, Calif. Senator Boxer, along with other advocates and supporters in Washington, helped secure a $900 million federal grant for the Berryessa Extension Project earlier this year.

Sound Transit receives distinguished award for outstanding procurement Practices

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing has awarded Seattle-area’s Sound Transit its Pareto Award of Excellence in Public Procurement for outstanding achievements in procurement.

CTA continues Red Line South Project with public input

In anticipation of the start of next year’s Red Line South project, the Chicago Transit Authority held meetings with various community and neighborhood groups including local chambers of commerce, block clubs, faith-based groups and other organizations to answer their questions, listen to their concerns and suggestions.

DEIR released for Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority in Southern California has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Azusa to Montclair.

Metra breaks ground on Fox River Grove station, reveals design of Healy Station

Chicago-area’s Metra broke ground on the reconstruction of the Fox River Grove Station on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. The $3.5-million project calls for the complete reconstruction of the station, which dates from 1959.

SEPTA names marketing director

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority appointed Elizabeth Bradford to director of marketing in the authority’s Division of Public and Government Affairs.

SEPTA names new assistant general manager of operations

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority promoted Ronald Hopkins to assistant general manager of operations.

X Train selects architect for terminal facility

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), the company building a luxury passenger train with planned rail service between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev., has selected Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects as its chief architectural design firm for the X Train’s Las Vegas terminal facility, as well as the interior design concepts for the passenger cars.

Sound Transit breaks ground on Northgate Link light-rail extension

Construction of the biggest Seattle-area Sound Transit 2 construction project to date has kicked off – the 4.3-mile Northgate Link light-rail extension from Husky Stadium to stations serving the U District, Roosevelt and Northgate.

FRA provides grant to study the return of Amtrak service along Alabama route

The Federal Railroad Administration has obligated $100,000 in response to an application from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to study the restoration of Amtrak passenger rail service between Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile.

Mass transit framework garners additional support for Tappan Zee bridge project

In Westchester County, N.Y., County Executive Robert Astorino, Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell explained their intention to vote yes at the next New York Metropolitan Transportation Council meeting to include the new Tappan Zee Bridge project in the region’s long-range transportation plan.

LACMTA reaches agreement with ATU

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a three-year contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing more than 2,300 bus and rail maintenance employees.

San Bruno Grade Separation Project nears half-way mark

Caltrain’s San Bruno Grade Separation Project, which will enhance safety at three rail crossings in downtown San Bruno, Calif., is nearing the half-way mark. The supports and bridges for the $147 million public safety project are clearly visible, giving the public a clear idea of the size and scope of the grade separation.

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