MTA plans to overhaul subway system
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an edict to the MTA to focus on “transformational change” for the city’s rapid transit network, the first segment of which opened in 1904.
Rapid Transit/Light Rail
Network Rail awards Stoneblower contract to Harsco Rail
Britain’s infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has ordered seven Stoneblower track geometry machines from Harsco Rail.
Sound Transit begins East Link construction on I-90 bridge across Lake Washington
Sound Transit’s East Link construction is now underway in the center lanes of the Homer M. Hadley floating bridge across Lake Washington.
WMATA begins pilot program to combat water infiltration
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) approved a pilot program that it says could have long-term benefits for Red Line riders.
USDOT rebrands FASTLANE grants as INFRA grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program.
Ottawa extends RTG contract for Stage 2 LRT
The city of Ottawa and Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG) have extended existing contractual arrangements under a new agreement for Stage 2 of the Confederation Line.
Alene Tchourumoff appointed to replace Duininck on Metropolitan Council
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Alene Tchourumoff to serve as chair of the Metropolitan Council.
Calgary Green Line approved by city council
Calgary city council has approved the final alignment and 28 station locations for Calgary’s 46km (28.58-mile) Green Line project, the first phase of which is estimated to cost around CA$4.65 billion (US$ 3.39 billion).
Faster trains to O’Hare could depend on a boring plan
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has long sought a way to get trains between downtown and O’Hare airport more quickly and he may have found a new option: Elon Musk’s tunneling concept.
Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board approves Six-Year Improvement Program
The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved the latest Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) for the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).
Canadian government pledges CA$333M to Finch West LRT project
The planned Finch West Light Rail Transit project in Toronto, ON, Canada, secured a CA$333-million (US$251.4-million) federal funding commitment under the Building Canada Fund.
Elevated LRT alignment to be studied for Sound Transit extension
Sound Transit will study an option to elevate the planned extension of light rail to downtown Redmond per a directive from the transit agency’s board.
MTA begins M line repairs July 1
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the $163 million project to rebuild and improve the reliability of century-old sections of the M line will begin on July 1.
MTA awards L.K. Comstock $66-million LIRR contract
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded $66.5-million contract for track and system installation for a second track on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to L.K. Comstock & Company Inc.
WSP USA’s new tunnel doctor
Dr. Axel Nitschke has been named a tunnel practice leader in the Washington, D.C. office of WSP USA (formerly WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff).
Sound Transit finalizes $87.7M TIFIA loan for maintenance facility
Sound Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation executed an $87.7-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to build a new maintenance base in Bellevue, Wash., to support future light-rail expansions.
BART budget looks toward future
In effort to control expenses in the face of a three-percent decline in ridership, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors approved a $1.92 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2018.
LACMTA Board approves first Measure M-funded rail project
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board has approved the first rail project to be funded through Measure M; a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.
Valley Metro taps Kiewit as South Central Extension construction manager
Kiewit was unanimously voted as the construction manager at-risk for the South Central Light Rail Extension by the Valley Metro Rail Board.
Calgary Transit upcycles retired car into inspection vehicle
Calgary Transit has transformed one of its retired CTrain cars into an inspection vehicle to gather information on the system’s rails, tracks and overhead cables.