Springfield, Mass., Union Station to receive $21 million for renovation

Nearly $21 million in federal funding has been formally approved for the Springfield, Mass., Union Station and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, according to a statement from Rep. Richard Neal’s office . Approximately $17 million will be used in the planned renovation of the historic landmark in the city’s northern blocks region and an additional $3.9 million will be directed to the PVTA for the maintenance of the local public transportation system.

Building demolition begins for future Berryessa BART Station

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority contractor Skanska Shimmick Herzog (SSH), a Joint Venture, will perform demolition of industrial buildings to prepare for construction of the future Berryessa Bay Area Rapid Transit Station campus July 19 through the end of August.

Sound Transit’s Link light rail hits three-year mark

Seattle’s Sound Transit Link light rail turns three years old, amid continued steady ridership growth since opening day. Link has carried an estimated 21.6 million riders since it opened July 18, 2009.

CTA preps for track renewal project with job fair, land lease

The Chicago Transit Authority Board has approved a temporary lease for property that will be used as a staging area for construction related to the Red Line South Track Renewal Project.

CTA plans $205 million maintenance and repair facility modernization

The Chicago Transit Authority unveiled a $205 million initiative that will rehabilitate and modernize the agency’s bus and rail maintenance facilities, which will benefit commuters and the local economy with the creation of more than new 500 jobs.

Dulles Rail aerial guideway complete

The Bechtel Corporation-led team building Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor extension project completed construction of the aerial guideway that will carry Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority trains and passengers over major highways and through

CHSRA releases revised Environmental Impact Report for Fresno to Bakersfield section

The California High-Speed Rail Authority released a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 114-mile Fresno to Bakersfield Project section. This document provides alternatives for public consideration and comment; no decisions have yet been made on these proposals. In its continued efforts to receive public participation in its process, the CHSRA has lengthened the public comment period to 60 days, which is 15 days more than what is required by law.

LIRR tie replacement on the Ronkonkoma Branch enters final phase

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road’s work to replace wooden ties on the Ronkonkoma Branch on weekdays between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma is entering its final phase starting Monday, July 23.

Ottawa light rail receives Canadian government environmental OK

The City of Ottawa has received Federal Environmental Assessment approval for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project from the Canadian government.

Metra awards Englewood Flyover contract

The Board of Directors of Chicago’s Metra approved a $93-million contract to construct the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program P1 project, know as the Englewood Flyover at its meeting on Monday.

MAP-21 grants FTA new authority for transit safety

U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff joined Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski and top safety and transit officials to celebrate a legislative victory that will ensure that transit passengers in the United States who board a light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail or transit bus will travel on a system governed by robust federal safety oversight for the first time.

FRA and OSHA sign agreement to protect railroad workers from retaliation

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed an agreement to improve coordination between the two agencies in enforcing the whistleblower provision of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA).

Uptown Station dedicated

Federal and Illinois state officials, along with representatives of the town of Normal and Amtrak dedicated a multimodal transportation center to serve as a station for Amtrak rail and motorcoach passengers, as well as local transit buses.

NJ Transit adopts operating, capital budgets for FY13

NJ Transit Board of Directors approved a Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 2013) operating budget and capital program that supports safe, reliable and cost-effective service for the nearly 250 million customer trips provided by the state’s rail, bus and light-rail network each year.

CTA to open newly rehabbed Granville Red Line Station Friday night

A cleaner, brighter and more welcoming Granville Red Line station will reopen Friday, July 13, after a six-week temporary closure as part of the $86 million Red Line North Interim Improvement project.

Rail industry joins forces to target hiring 5,000 veterans in 2012

In collaboration with various sectors of the rail industry, the Association of American Railroads says that the nation’s major freight, intercity passenger, commuter railroads and rail supply companies expect to hire more than 5,000 veterans in 2012. The rail industry’s commitment is part of the White House Joining Forces initiative, a nationwide effort to recognize, honor and support America’s veterans and military families.

Illinois authorizes $800 million in rail and transit improvements

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a law to begin the next phase of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, which is designed to create jobs, strengthen the transportation system and support economic growth across Illinois.

SFMTA resumes Muni track switch replacement

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in California has continued track improvement work on the Muni Metro system. From July 13 to July 16, SFMTA will install new track switches on the L Taraval Line between 22nd and 23rd avenues and at 35th Avenue.

Hennepin County, Minn., breaks ground on the Interchange project

Hennepin County, Minn., broke ground on its multi-million dollar Interchange project.

CATS Blue Line Extension to enter final design with FTA approval

The Charlotte Area Transit System in North Carolina has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to enter Final Design for the 9.3-mile LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) light-rail project. This allows the project to be developed from the 65 percent to the 100 percent design level and complete preparation of final construction plans, right-of-way acquisition, construction cost estimates, bid documents and utility relocation.

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