Ontario converting Kipling Station to transit hub
The province of Ontario is moving forward with plans to redevelop the Kipling Station into a transit hub that will integrate subway, regional rail and inter-regional bus services.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
British Columbia matches CA$2.2B federal investment for transit funding
British Columbia will match the Canadian governments CA$2.2 billion (US$1.6 billion) in transit funding for projects in the Metro Vancouver area.
Twin tunneling machines expected in LA by fall for Purple Line Extension
Twin tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are being constructed in Germany and are expected to arrive this fall to help construct The Los Angeles Country Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Purple Line Extension project.
Sec. Chao: Regulations, not funding are holding up infrastructure advancement
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the administration’s forthcoming infrastructure proposal will cover more than infrastructure and reiterated the belief that regulatory red tape, not funding, is responsible for holding up projects.
Québec includes funds for REM project in budget
The Government of Québec has committed CA$1.28 billion (US$96 million), which represents 24.5 percent total equity, to the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project.
Bruce McCuaig steps down from Metrolinx, accepts new role at Canada Infrastructure Bank
Bruce McCuaig is stepping down as president and CEO of Metrolinx to accept a new federal role in the Privy Council Office as executive adviser (Infrastructure Bank) effective April 24, 2017 to support the launch of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Ontario, Toronto Hydro building battery back-up and emergency power system for Eglinton Crosstown LRT project
Ontario is partnering with Toronto Hydro to build a battery energy storage system for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) line, which will increase the reliability of the line, lower operating costs and reduce emissions.
APTA calls for full project funding of “vital” transit
The American Public Transportation Association called on the Trump Administration to fully fund the FAST Act for fiscal 2017 and 2018 and public transit must be part of the administration’s proposed $1 trillion infrastructure investment.
Canada 2017 federal budget commits to transit funding
Canada’s federal 2017 budget was released March 22 in a move the government called “the next step in the government’s long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.”
Virginia launches review of WMATA practices
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the commonwealth would take on an independent review of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) “to identify potential changes to governance and funding, and help position WMATA to support growth in the region.”
LACMTA Board proceeds with environmental study to allow trains dual entry at Union Station
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors is moving forward with an environmental study that will look into building run through tracks at Union Station.
Parsons adds Strong as rail lead
David Strong has joined Parsons as vice president and rail systems lead for the New York and New Jersey region.
TriMet MAX switch machine improvements scheduled to start at end of month
TriMet will kick off a switch renewal and replacement project to improve MAX on-time performance and operation of trains. This will be the first in a series of switch machine upgrades to be completed this year. The project will begin late-night Saturday, March 25 and will require service adjustments early Sunday morning, March 26.
Sound Transit marks first anniversary for U Link, light-rail ridership increases
Sound Transit launched light-rail service to Capitol Hill and Husky Stadium, contributing to an 89-percent growth in average weekday ridership on Link from February 2016 to February 2017.
Passenger advocates skewer Trump’s proposed budget; USDOT not ruffled
Passenger rail advocates called out the Trump Administration’s proposed budget for perceived hypocrisy and undermining the voters who put him in office while the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) response was more moderate.
Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts USDOT funds; TIGER, Amtrak long distance train funding gone
The Trump Administration released its proposed 2017 budget, which includes reducing funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak’s long distance train funding, as well as popular transportation grants.
Gannett Fleming expands Toronto transit and rail team
Gannett Fleming Canada ULC is expanding its transportation practice with the addition of three experienced professionals to its Toronto office: David Bannister, Yousef Kimiagar and Magdy Samaan.
Railway Age honors Prendergast as Railroader of the Year
Former New York MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast was honored as Railway Age’s 54th Railroader of the Year at a dinner of the Western Railway Club on March 14 at the historic Union League Club, Chicago.
New technology to power Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail line will cut downtime, extend vehicle life
Siemens was chosen by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to provide innovative electrification technology to power the Guadalupe Corridor light rail line. VTA’s infrastructure modernization will replace 27-year-old systems with Siemens’ new state-of-the-art electrification technology that includes advanced monitoring and diagnostic features to streamline maintenance activities.
STV names Bonstead VP; Mcintyre SVP
STV has named Tyler Bonstead, P.E., AICP, as vice president and Scott McIntyre, P.E., LEED AP, as senior vice president.