WMATA receives independent auditor’s report for FY2014

The Washing Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors received an independent audit of its FY2014 Financial Statements from McGladrey LLP, which WMATA says is a significant milestone in its work to improve financial management.

Sound Transit executes sale of green bonds to help fund light-rail extensions

Sound Transit executed the sale of nearly $1 billion of green bonds that will help fund voter-approved regional transit projects, including construction of more than 30 miles of light-rail extensions.

SFMTA begins service along E Embarcadero streetcar line

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launched the E Embarcadero (E Line) streetcar line, offering a single-seat ride from AT&T Park and the Caltrain station to Fisherman’s Wharf and the northeast waterfront.

Ontario to increase GO capacity on Lakeshore Lines

Ontario is partnering with the Canadian government to help to ease congestion at key crossings along the Lakeshore East and West GO Transit corridors by building new road-under-rail grade separations in Scarborough and Halton Region.

USDOT: Substantial demand underscores need for TIGER grants

Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totaled $9.8 billion, almost 20 times the $500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide.

Houston METRO launches safety initiative

Houston METRO is continuing its efforts to educate the community about safety along the light-rail lines.

MassDOT appoints new leadership team

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) named Brian Shortsleeve chief administrator for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), working alongside the newly appointed Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) and named Jeff Gonneville, a 14-year veteran of the MBTA, chief operating officer.

TransLink begins three SkyTrain station improvement projects

TransLink is in the beginning stages of upgrades to three SkyTrain stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, to improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security. Construction work began at Metrotown, Commercial-Broadway and New Westminster stations this spring.

RTD Board approves Balfour Beatty contract for Southeast Rail Extension

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a $140-million, two-phased contract award to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension.

SacRT to open Blue Line extension in late August

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) plans to open the new Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) light-rail extension August 24. The transit district says the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.

MTA Chairman’s letter to NYC mayor urges increased capital support

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast sent a letter July 28 to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asking for more capital support.

WMATA celebrates first year of Silver Line

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) celebrated the first year of Silver Line service from Largo Town Center to Wiehle-Reston East July 27.

HNTB adds Thompson as principal tunnel engineer

HNTB Corporation hired Jimmy Thompson as principal tunnel engineer in its national tunnel practice out of its Oakland, Calif., office. Thompson has 30 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and specializes in tunnels and underground facilities.

MTA gives preliminary approval of two CBTC contracts

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) gave preliminary approval to two contracts totaling $205.8 million to Siemens Industry Inc. and Thales Transport & Security for the installation of a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system on the Queens Boulevard Line.

Canada pledges funds toward Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT

The Canadian government says that it will provide CA$1 billion (US$800 million) in funding for Ottawa, ON, planned Stage 2 light-rail transit project.

LACMTA Board approves project to enhance pedestrian safety at 27 Blue Line intersections

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approved a budget of $30 million for a project that will add pedestrian gates on both sides of the tracks at 27 LACMTA and Union Pacific intersections along the Blue Line.

Sound Transit names preferred alternative for Kent/Des Moines light-rail extension

The Sound Transit Board of Directors has identified a preferred alternative for extending light rail to Kent/Des Moines and, when funding is available, to Federal Way. The route, with stations near Highline College, South 272nd Street and the Federal Way Transit Center, would travel along the west side of Interstate 5 between stations and maximize future transit-oriented development around the stations.

Crosslinx Transit Solutions Consortium awarded contract for Eglinton Crosstown LRT

Crosslinx Transit Solutions Joint Venture has been awarded a contract for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit project in Toronto, ON, Canada. In 2010, the province of Ontario announced an investment of CA$5.3 billion for construction costs for the Crosstown LRT.

MTA Financial Plan generates new Capital Program funding

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) July 2015 Financial Plan will generate up to $2.4 billion worth of new funding for the 2015-19 Capital Program, due to unanticipated revenues, greater cost savings and more efficient operations.

Gov. Baker appoints five-member board to oversee MBTA fiscal overhaul

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appointed the five-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) and designated Joe Aiello as chair immediately after signing into law the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

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