Sound Transit will hold an open house for community members to review the progress of the East Link extension along the Bel-Red corridor, which is now approximately 60 percent complete.
The first streetcar to travel Utah’s streets in more than 50 years will be open for service starting December 8, 2013.
Fifty-two transportation projects in 37 states will receive a total of approximately $474 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Among these, $146 million will help fund rail projects.
Maryland plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation investments for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region that will support more than 13,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion and revitalize communities.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad have been awarded $11.4 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.
The Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors has adopted the 2013 Regional Transit Strategic Plan, which will serve as the roadmap for planning and development for transit during the next five years.
A U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant was awarded to the Kansas City Streetcar project in the amount of $20 million.
Springfield, Ill. has been awarded $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street, an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor.
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a rule proposal that would give states an opportunity to manage the federally required environmental review process for highway, rail and transit projects.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground August 29 on the new Cermak Green Line station, a $50-million construction project that will energize the area around McCormick Place and provide an additional transportation option for the Near South Side.
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) rail transit project could resume construction as early as September after the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approved the archaeological survey reports. The approval also allows HART to begin permit applications.
At the request of the U.S. Department of State, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., hosted a high-level Ethiopian delegation on August 20 to research transit solutions to improve the availability, quality and efficient delivery of transportation services to the disabled in their nation.
“We are pleased to respond to this request from the state department’s International Visitor Leadership Program,” stated Phil Washington, RTD general manager. “It is humbling to be recognized both in America and internationally for our light-rail system and how we continue to pursue ways to improve transportation delivery to disabled community members.”
Delegation members represent the Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC), the Addis Ababa Road and Transport Bureau and the National Association of Physical Handicap. ERC officials have expressed interest in ensuring that the light-rail transport now under construction, the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, will be a state-of-the-art facility and meet internationally accepted disability standards.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff to provide construction management services for transit projects throughout its system.
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) $12.8 million in Transit Security Grant Program funds to enhance security and help protect the Transbay Tube, one of BART’s most critical assets.
TriMet in Portland, Ore., has been awarded a $25,000 grant by Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
In Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh addressed concerns surrounding the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) green line extension and said more time is needed to evaluate all the options available.
Sound Transit celebrated 10 years of light-rail service on its Tacoma Link August 21.
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Draper TRAX light-rail line, a 3.8-mile extension of service in the Salt Lake City area, is now open.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has re-affirmed Resolution SX-100 that authorizes the Exposition Construction Authority to construct 16 at-grade and 11 grade-separated rail crossings as part of Phase 2 of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Expo Line project.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) reopened its Central Av. M subway station on the Myrtle Avenue line after a five-month station rehabilitation.