PATH completes 33rd Street Line signal upgrades, PTC installation
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) completed signal and safety upgrades on the PATH 33rd Street line, which will return to normal service on Dec. 24.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
FTA clears Met Council’s Southwest LRT project to enter engineering
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest LRT Project’s (SWLRT) entry into the engineering phase.
NRC names recipients of Projects of the Year; Field Employee of the Year awards
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has named honorees for its 2016 special awards.
MBTA FMCB approves expanded design of Ruggles Station Transportation Project
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) has voted in favor of amending the Ruggles Station Transportation Project contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., (VHB) to expand the project’s design and accessibility work.
Second Avenue Subway inaugural ride will be on New Year’s Eve
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Second Avenue Subway will make its inaugural ride in time for New Year’s Eve this year, with revenue service launching at noon on Jan. 1.
Stantec Consulting Services to design Tempe Streetcar, project enters design phase
Valley Metro Rail’s board of directors approved a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for Tempe Streetcar design services on Dec. 12.
Sound Transit’s approved 2017 budget heavy on rail system expansion
The board of Sound Transit, the regional transit system serving the greater Seattle area, has approved a $1.6 billion budget for 2017.
FTA awards TEX Rail $499 million grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Dec. 15 a $499.39 million federal grant agreement with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) to build TEX Rail, a commuter rail line between downtown Fort Worth and the Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport.
RTA board approves $3 billion 2017 regional transit operating budget
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board of directors has adopted the 2017 operating budgets for the RTA, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace, totaling $3 billion.
Transit expert Art Lloyd dies at 91
Art Lloyd, a long-time board member of the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) that oversees Caltrain, died Dec. 4 in his California home at 91 years old.
MTA’s eTix ticketing app sales surpass $47 million since August launch
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) eTix mobile ticketing smartphone application has seen a successful launch period since its August launch.
SEPTA, BLET, SMART-UTU join FRA close call reporting system
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), SMART United Transportation Union-Local 61 (SMART-UTU) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) signed an Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU) on Dec. 12 to join the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS).
Gov. Cuomo visits Second Ave. Subway as Phase 1 deadline approaches
With January under three weeks away, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited contractors and construction workers building the 72nd and 86th Street Stations on the Second Avenue Subway project to view progress.
Ontario providing CA$334M in gas tax funds for transit improvements
Transit systems throughout Ontario are set to undergo improvements in 2017 with CA$334.5 million (US$254.4 million) being allocated to 99 communities through provincial gas tax funding.
FTA gives HART until April 30 to submit recovery plan
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has granted the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) until April 30, 2017, to submit a recovery plan for the project.
Texas Central names new CEO
The Texas Central Partners, LLC (Texas Central) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Carlos F. Aguilar as the new CEO of Texas Central and its subsidiaries, effective Dec. 12.
Modjeski and Masters awarded engineering contract for St. Louis Union Station Tunnel
Bridge engineering firm Modjeski and Masters has been awarded a contract to complete engineering services needed for the rehabilitation and replacement of old portions of MetroTransit’s Union Station Tunnel in St. Louis, Mo.
Vehicle testing begins on Ottawa’s Confederation Line
Ottawa’s O-Train Confederation Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project team celebrated a milestone last week as its first light-rail vehicle (LRV) assembled in Canada’s capital city began testing on the track between the system’s Blair and Cyrville stations.
Evergreen extension opens in Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver, B.C., gained more than 6.5 miles of rail rapid transit Dec. 2 with the opening of the Evergreen extension.
USDOT awards $300M for UTC grants
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Dec. 5 that $300.3 million in grants will go to 32 university transportation centers (UTCs) to accelerate research and education programs dealing with the county’s transportation challenges.