CTA awards Blue Line trackwork and substation contracts, reveals plans for station renovation

The Chicago Transit Board has hired Keiwit Infrastructure Co. as the general contractor for the Milwaukee Blue Line Track Renewal project with a contract valued at $20.4 million.

Congress approves $189 million for Houston light rail

Congress has given the green light to Houston METRO for rail expansion, with approval of $94.5 million for the North/Red Line extension and another $94.5 million for the Southeast/Purple Line.

First guideway column in place for Evergreen Line

The Evergreen Line project in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada, is beginning to take shape, with the first guideway column for the rapid transit line in place.

FASTRACK returns to Queens on the E/M/R

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK back to Queens on the E, M and R Line August 12 for four consecutive weeknights until August 16.

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension awarded $40 million from state

Another $40 million in Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding was allocated to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Project by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

Metrolinx halts Scarborough LRT work

The Big Move, an ambitious 25-year plan to enhance transportation in the Toronto region, is down a light-rail project following Metrolinx‘s announcement that progress on the Scarborough LRT project is suspended.

DART celebrates 30th anniversary

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) turns 30 this month as the agency celebrates the anniversary of the vote to create DART. On Saturday, Aug. 13, 1983, residents in Dallas and 13 other cities elected to be a part of the new transit agency and contribute one percent in sales tax to fund it.

Purple Line is Maryland’s first transit P3; receives additional $400 million

Nearly $650 million was released in transportation investment funds for Montgomery County, Md., along with an additional $400 million for the $2.5-billion Purple Line project, which will be delivered as the state’s first transit public-private partnership (P3).

Canadian coalition says Metrolinx’s bundled LRT tender shuts out smaller firms

According to an analysis by the Construction Design Alliance of Ontario (CDAO), Ontario and Toronto taxpayers could save up to half a billion dollars in construction and design costs for Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown transit project by tendering it differently.

LACMTA Expo Line construction can continue with state Supreme Court ruling

In a six to one decision, the California Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals and the approval by the Exposition Construction Authority of the extension of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Expo Line light-rail transit project from Culver City to Santa Monica.

LACMTA hires Atkins as general engineering consultant

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selected Atkins to serve as a general engineering consultant (GEC) in support of LACMTA’s rail network operations, maintenance and expansion plans.

NYCT Fix & Fortify tackles Montague Tubes work

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit will commence Fix & Fortify work to the Montague Tubes August 2 and will continue during the weekends for 14 months.

MTA secures $200 million of insurance protection

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has secured $200 million of insurance protection that will help pay for future repairs for damage to its infrastructure in the event of a storm featuring destructive storm surges similar to those experienced during Superstorm Sandy.

LACMTA renames its Transit Mall Station

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Blue Line Transit Mall Station in Long Beach has been renamed Downtown Long Beach Station to more clearly reflect the location.

Stacy and Witbeck awarded Detroit streetcar contract

M-1 Rail has selected Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., to serve as construction manager/general contractor for the construction of the 3.3-mile Woodward Avenue streetcar in Detroit, Mich. M-1 Rail is slated to break ground by early fall between Larned Street and Adams Street in downtown Detroit.

SFMTA begins tunnel boring for Central Subway

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) tunnel boring machine (TBM) Mom Chung has launched, commencing construction beneath downtown San Francisco of one of the Central Subway‘s two tunnels.

SEPTA plans Trolley Tunnel outage for construction work

Due to overhead wire, track and station improvement projects, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Trolley Routes 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate in the Center City tunnel the evening of August 2 through early morning August 12.

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project reaches half way point

TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project has hit 50 percent completion. Construction on the 7.3-mile line began in May 2012 between downtown Portland and North Clackamas County, with bridge construction over the Willamette River in July 2011.

WMATA Board approves four-year agreement with union

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors has approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with Local 689 Union, which freezes employee wages for one year and provides for employee contributions to their pension funds.

APTA to recognize six public transportation systems for sustainability

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will recognize nine public transportation systems for outstanding sustainability achievements.

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