The Metropolitan Council (MetCouncil) has approved an updated project scope and $1.496-billion cost estimate for the planned METRO Blue Line Extension LRT Project. The project, which now includes 11 stations, was recommended for approval at November’s Corridor Management Committee meeting.
On March 19, 2016, Valley Metro will open its second light-rail extension on 19th Avenue in Phoenix, Ariz., giving more riders regional access to destinations across the Valley.
On December 8, 2015, the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) received approval from the Atlanta City Council on the Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar System Plan (SSP).
The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division is collaborating with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) on a rail workforce assessment study.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board has approved a $13-million contract for the Green Line West Track Renewal Project, a track improvement project on the Lake branch of the Green Line.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has new tools at its disposal for the upcoming winter weather, such as high-velocity snow blowers and brining equipment, aimed at combating snowy and icy conditions. SEPTA says this equipment will play a key role in its efforts to minimize disruptions to customers resulting from winter weather events.
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has named Peter Burrus chief of rail transportation, a newly created position.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) says it has reached substantial completion of two contracts on East Side Access, the megaproject that will bring Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service to Grand Central Terminal.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has initiated a national search for a new chief safety officer (CSO), who will report to the general manager/chief executive officer and provide strategic leadership to ensure the day-to-day safety of the system, its employees and customers.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) ¬completed five miles of guideway for Oahu’s rail transit system, which accounts for 25 percent of the project’s elevated guideway work for the 20-mile system.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), awarded $148,500 in grants to eight rail transit agencies in seven states for public awareness and safety education projects.
Valley Metro has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Stephen Banta and placed him on administrative leave, effective immediately.
Valley Metro’s South Central light-rail extension in Phoenix, Ariz., has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) into the Project Development phase of the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. This marks the first step in receiving federal project approval under the CIG program and, ultimately, eligibility for federal construction funds.
Sterling Construction Company, Inc. subsidiary, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company, LLC (RLW), was selected by Denver’s Regional Rail Partners (RRP) as a major subcontractor for a joint venture between Balfour Beatty and Graham Contracting on two Regional Transport District (RTD) projects. These projects, which entail construction on multiple segments of the North Metro Rail Skyway Bridge, are the second and third jobs awarded to RLW by RRP during 2015.
The city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has selected TransEd Partners to design, build, operate, maintain and finance stage one of the Valley Line LRT following an 18-month procurement process.
The Sound Transit Board of Directors have selected the route, stations and expanded operation and maintenance facility for the Tacoma Link Expansion. When built, the 2.4-mile extension will serve riders traveling from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods.
The Tempe Streetcar has received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which indicates that the three-mile project will have no significant environmental effect on the neighboring communities.
OnTrackNorthAmerica (OTNA), a non-profit action think tank, will partner with Dr. Pasi Lautala from Michigan Tech University and Dr. Mingzhou Jin, director of the Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Engineering lab at the University of Tennessee on better transportation planning and investment.
The Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) joint venture between Hatch and Mott MacDonald will be separated and integrated into the parent companies by early 2016.
The Iowa Transportation Commission approved more than $1.29 million in funding for five rail infrastructure and related rail development projects under the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) Program.