Hampton Roads Transit gets new president, CEO
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads in Virginia selected William Harrell as the new president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. The vote was unanimous.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
BART set to launch next stage of Transbay Tube retrofit
Bay Area Rapid Transit in San Francisco, Calif., is continuing its work of earthquake safety strengthening of the Transbay Tube, which was not damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake but remains BART’s top earthquake safety priority.
Secretary LaHood proposes streamlining major transit awards
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proposed a significant change in the way major transit projects compete for federal funds by streamlining the process and making decisions more responsive to local needs.
Dulles Metrorail project awarded $116 million in New Starts funding
U.S. Congressmen Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly and Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner said the Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $116 million funding for construction of Phase 1 of the Dulles Metrorail project in northern Virginia.
New York Second Avenue Subway blasting did not exceed pollutant levels
New York’s MTA Capital Construction (MTACC) has released results of a comprehensive study to assess the impact of blasting on air quality. The report found that most measured pollutants were below applicable national air quality and industry standards. Exceeded levels of some pollutants did not coincide with blasting and were primarily attributed to traffic emissions and other local sources.
Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council Chair advocates for transit, partnerships
“Transit holds the key to a successful and prosperous region,” said Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh, while delivering her first State of the Region speech. Several hundred people attended the State of the Region event at Target Field in Minneapolis, where Haigh highlighted the role of transit in economic development and job creation.
Minnesota Governor recommends $25 million for light rail in 2012
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton released his bonding proposal for the 2012 legislative session, building on his jobs plan to get Minnesotans back to work. The bonding proposal is focused on making the kind of long-term investments to create jobs. The bill would put up to 21,700 Minnesotans back to work and includes $25 million for the Southwest Corridor Light Rail.
A statement by the Governor’s office said, “Investing in strong, reliable infrastructure is a critical part of building an environment where businesses can thrive. Repairing our roads, bridges and rail lines for the future with smart investments can not only give Minnesota the assets to attract businesses, but can also put hundreds of Minnesotans back to work in the construction industries that are suffering from high unemployment.”
“This bill is our chance to put thousands of Minnesotans back to work by investing in important projects throughout our state. My bonding proposal makes reasonable, focused investments on projects that are ready for immediate action. I hope that the legislature will join me in growing Minnesota’s economy now by passing a bonding bill in the first month of the session. Doing so will enable many of the projects and their jobs, to become realities this year,” Governor Dayton said.
CTA reopens Grand Station, more to undergo renovations
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel officially re-opened the Grand Avenue Red Line Station, which has undergone a complete rehabilitation over the past several years. Additionally, Mayor Emanuel announced that the city will construct a new Green Line station at Cermak, build a new station at Washington and Wabash and conduct a complete rehabilitation at the station at Clark and Division.
GCRTA, MetroTransit end 2011 on ridership high
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority carried more than 46 million riders throughout 2011, a nearly four percent increase since 2010.
In just December of 2011, GCRTA had an increase of 12.5 percent more riders this year than the same month in 2010. On the Red Line specifically, more than half a million riders used this heavy rail service, making it the highest December Red Line usage since 1988.
FASTRACK initiative a success on NYCT’s Lexington Line
For four consecutive weeknights hundreds of New York Metropolitan Transit Authority workers labored through the late night and early morning hours cleaning, inspecting, repairing and replacing subway infrastructure on a nearly seven-mile segment of the Lexington Avenue Line.
MARTA to begin Buckhead Bridge work
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, in joint partnership with the Buckhead Community Improvement District, Georgia Department of Transportation, State Road and Toll Authority, Federal Transit Administration and the city of Atlanta, is preparing to begin construction in the spring on a pedestrian bridge to reconnect the east and west sides of the Buckhead community.
NYCT continues signaling and station work on Flushing Line
A continuation of upgrade and modernization work to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Flushing Line and its stations will necessitate suspension of 7 train service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square for eleven weekends beginning January 21, as well as the full closure of the Court Square Station on the 7 line until April 2, 2012.
WMATA GM recommends budget that continues path of improvement
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles recommended operating and capital budgets for the next fiscal year that continue the authority’s path of improvement on safety and reliability, as well as provide more and enhanced service for rail and bus riders.
BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension days from receiving federal grant
California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority was notified by the Federal Transit Administration that VTA’s $900 million grant request for the Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project has received all of the administrative approvals. VTA is now 60 days away from being awarded the anticipated funds through a full funding grant agreement.
AECOM Technical Services awarded $38 million HART design contract
Hawaii’s Honolulu Rail Transit Authority awarded a $38.8 million contract to AECOM Technical Services, Inc., to design the project’s airport section of the elevated rail guideway.
NYCT to perform FASTRACK maintenance on Lexington Avenue
For four straight weeknights beginning Monday, January 9, a small army of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit workers will perform more than 300 maintenance tasks in stations and tunnels along a segment of the Lexington Avenue 4, 5 and 6 Line stretching between Grand Central-42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Service will be suspended in both directions between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
NRC inducts two to Hall of Fame, names project and field employee of the year
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association honored individuals and companies by awarding the Railroad Construction Project of the Year, Field Employee of the Year and inducting the inaugural class of the association’s Hall of Fame.
SMART board names contractor for phase 1 of project
Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit in Southern California has selected Stacy and Witbeck/Herzog to build Phase 1 of the train’s backbone between Santa Rosa and San Rafael, Calif.
FTA issues milestone approval for Crenshaw/LAX light-rail project
The Federal Transit Administration issued a Record of Decision on December 30, for the Los Angeles Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority Crenshaw/LAX light-rail project based on LACMTA’s Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Amsted RPS to offer new products for embedded rail systems
Amsted RPS, a division of Amsted Rail, will expand its product portfolio to include urban railway infrastructure products from edilon)(sedra.