TranSystems names new senior vice president for passenger and transit
Robert Ryan joined TranSystems as senior vice president and market sector leader for its national passenger rail and transit practice areas.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
JLP hires former Amtrak construction manager
J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. (JLP) hired Harry Steelman as senior construction manager, a former Amtrak construction manager.
WMATA to implement close call reporting
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is launching a Close Call Transit Safety Reporting System designed to enhance safety by increasing the opportunity for employee reporting of incidents or situations that have the potential for more serious consequences.
Sound Transit hosts open houses on Federal Way Transit Extension
Sound Transit is conducting two open houses this month to seek public comment on its evaluation of alternatives to extend Link light rail from SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way areas.
NJ Transit to offer WiFi at stations, platforms and trains
The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision Systems Corporation to offer one of the top requested amenities to NJ Transit customers: high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains.
Union Pearson Express wins Project of the Year
Union Pearson Express (a division of Metrolinx) in Toronto, ON, Canada, won Project of the Year at the Global AirRail Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.
USDOT receives 568 applications for latest TIGER Grants
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the strong demand for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants continues, as once again the number of applications has surpassed the available funding.
Reps. introduce Transit Parity Act
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the Transit Parity Act. The bipartisan bill would maintain tax credit parity for drivers and public transportation users.
MARTA adopts FY14 budget
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 operations and capital budgets, which will take effect on July 1.
VTA board awards $16 million construction contract for Capitol Expressway Transit
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Board of Directors awarded the Granite Rock Company, doing-business-as Pavex Construction Division, a $16.8 million construction contract award for the continued improvements planned along Capitol Expressway and future VTA rapid transit and light
Gov. O’Malley appoints new secretary of MDOT and new administrator of the MTA
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed James Smith, Jr., as secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Robert Smith as the administrator for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).
HART transit project Draft Supplemental EIS available to public
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are accepting public comments on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Evaluation for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
HART and FTA officials have prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS Evaluation for the Rail Project as required by a recent U.S. District Court ruling. The draft covers the re-evaluations of the Beretania Street Tunnel Alternative and Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park.
A public hearing will be held on July 9 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Comments will be accepted both orally and in writing at the hearing.
The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is a 20-mile elevated rail line that will connect West Oahu with downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana Center. The rail system includes 21 stations at key education, employment and retail destinations, including UH-West Oahu, Leeward and Honolulu community colleges, Honolulu International Airport, Downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and Ala Moana and Pearlridge shopping centers.
The first 10 miles of the rail system from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is expected to open in 2017, with the full 20-mile line opening in 2019.
NYCT brings FASTRACK back to Upper Manhattan
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK back to Upper Manhattan June 10 on the A Line.
MTA plans extensive Sandy repairs on Montague and Greenpoint subway tunnels
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Montague and Greenpoint tunnels heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy will require extended work to repair and rebuild their vital systems in order to ensure rider safety and reliable service. Both tunnels will be closed to subway traffic while work is completed.
Support of public transportation investment increases
A new survey released indicates that there is growing support for expanding public transportation.
Siemens installs energy storage unit on TriMet LRT
Siemens is currently installing the its Sitras SES Energy Storage Unit with supercapacitor technology in the U.S. on the new TriMet Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Line.
SEPTA to perform switch and track crossing renewal project
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has scheduled a switch and track crossing renewal project for the intersection of 49th Street and Woodland Avenue from June 9-22.
NYCT brings FASTRACK back to Queens
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit brings FASTRACK back to Queens on the E, F, M and R Line.
Sound Transit reviews six bids for Northgate Link light rail extension
Sound Transit opened six bids for the contract to mine 3.4 miles of twin light-rail tunnels between Husky Stadium at the University of Washington and the Northgate Mall area in Seattle, Wash.
TTC begins reconstruction tracks on Kingston Road
The Toronto Transit Commission and the city of Toronto will be reconstructing the streetcar tracks on Kingston Road between Queen Street East and Victoria Park Avenue.