Crews Work To Fix SWLRT Track That Was Laid Too Close To Existing Track
MINNEAPOLIS – After track for the SWLRT was laid too close to an existing freight rail, crews had to go in and fix the section of track.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $343 Million to Modernize Transit Stations, Improve Accessibility Across the Country
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that eight transit systems in eight states will receive a total of $343 million in federal funding to retrofit some of the nation’s oldest and busiest rail transit systems to make it easier for Americans to access public transportation.
MnDOT Will ‘Play a Bigger Role’ in Light Rail Projects
MINNEAPOLIS – The MnDOT will have more involvement over Minnesota light rail projects, but it will not replace the Met Council completely.
BART’s Lake Merritt TOD Plan Phase 1.1 Begins Mid-2024
SAN FRANCISCO – BART will develop the area around Lake Merritt BART station with housing, office, and retail space over multiple phases.
Metrolinx Tests Light Rail Vehicles on Finch West LRT
TORONTO – Finch West LRT vehicles have traversed the full alignment up to 60km/h for the first time.
Sound Transit Announces Six-Week Period of Link 1 Line Disruptions for Track Maintenance
SEATTLE – Starting May 12th, Sound Transit will have a six-week period of service disruptions to its Link 1 light rail service.
Met Council to Release Anti-Displacement Plan for Blue Line Extension
MINNEAPOLIS – The Metropolitan Council announces it is collaborating to develop a draft Anti-Displacement Coordinated Action Plan.
Sound Transit Receives Sustainable Infrastructure Award From ISI
SEATTLE – The Federal Way Link Extension was awarded with an Envision Platinum Award from The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI).
MTA Announces Next Round of Subway Stations Re-NEW-vation Upgrades in 2024
NEW YORK ––The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) this week announced that New York City Transit (NYCT) will complete upgrades, repairs, and deep cleanings at 13 additional subway stations in the second quarter of 2024 across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
Committee Passes Bill to Establish Passenger Rail for Colorado
DENVER –– The Denver House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee this week passed legislation aimed at leveraging millions in federal infrastructure funding to bring passenger rail service to Colorado and expanding public transportation options across the state. SB24-184 passed by a vote of 8-3.
Federal Transit Administration Invites Public Input on Proposed Policy Changes for Major Capital Grant Program
WASHINGTON – To continue advancing transit projects that have a transformative impact on American communities, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is inviting public comment on revisions to policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.
VTA To Begin Track Repairs To Light Rail This Spring
SAN JOSE, Calif. – This spring, the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will begin repairs to the overhead catenary system (OCS) on its light rail.
Two Electric Transmission Lines Need To Be Moved for Blue Line Light Rail Extension
MINNEAPOLIS – For the Blue Line light rail extension in Minneapolis, two Xcel Energy underground electric transmission lines will need to be moved.
Tony Gouveia to Lead HDR’s U.S. Northeast Transit Practice
OMAHA –– HDR’s Tony Gouveia, P.E., has been promoted to serve in a dual role as the firm’s Northeast transit leader in addition to continuing to serve as New England transportation manager.
Baltimore Red Line Light Rail Project Would Cost $7.2B
BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Red Line Light Rail and Bus project would cost at least $7.2 billion.
APTA Releases Ridership Trends Report
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
WASHINGTON ––After falling to 20% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2020, public transit has recovered to 79% of pre-pandemic levels as of March 2024, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) latest ridership trends report.
SEPTA Welcomes Passengers to New Drexel Station at 30th Street
PHILADELPHIA –– SEPTA joined Drexel University and local, state and federal officials this week for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the newly reconstructed and renamed Drexel Station at 30th Street.
SFMTA Train Traffic Control System Runs on Floppy Disks
SAN FRANCISCO –– The San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency’s train control system today uses a system that relies on 5 1/2-inch floppy disks –– the ones that are really floppy.
Pat Porzillo to Serve as HDR’s Transit Engineering Director
WASHINGTON ––HDR’s Pat Porzillo, P.E., was recently promoted to be the firm’s transit engineering director.
PANY/NJ Launches $430MM ‘PATH Forward’ Program
NEWARK – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) on April 5 reported kicking off a two-year, $430 million program to upgrade stations, tracks, bridges and railcars at PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp.), the fifth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.