House T&I vice chairman, subcommittee chairmen named

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has made selections for the committee’s six subcommittee chairmen and the full committee vice chairman for the 114th Congress.

Caltrain’s electrification project receives FEIR certification

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board today certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and approved the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, Calif.

WMATA Board appoints Requa as interim general manager/CEO

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) appointed Jack Requa as interim general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) and commended the service of General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles, who is retiring on January 16. Requa, who joined WAMTA in April 1998, is currently the assistant general manager for Bus Services.

LACMTA CEO to step down

Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Art Leahy’s last day of service will be April 5, 2015, when his current contract expires. Leahy, who started his transportation career as a bus operator and became one of the nation’s leading transit officials, has headed LACMTA for six years.

MBTA Green Line receives $996 million

A $996-million federal grant has been awarded to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to extend Green Line light-rail service from East Cambridge to Somerville and Medford.

Hill International awarded contract for E360 Segment of East Link Light Rail

Hill International was awarded a contract from Sound Transit to provide design-build project management services in connection with the E360 Segment of the East Link Light Rail project.

TTC accelerates operator review

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chief Executive Officer Andy Byford has directed his chief safety officer and chief service officer to conduct a comprehensive review of all bus and streetcar operator recruitment, training, recertification and monitoring programs.

CTA Damen Station reopens

The Chicago Transportation Authority reopened the newly renovated and modernized Damen Blue Line station December 22. 

President Obama signs legislation extending shortline tax credit extension and enacting omnibus spending bill

President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.

HART reveals cost containment strategy; opens bids for first package of station contracts

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is taking several steps to reduce costs and explore new revenue sources in an effort to address what it sees as financial challenges ahead.

Silver Line Phase Two receives approval for $598 million in TIFIA loans

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) closed a $403-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for Fairfax County and a $195 million TIFIA loan for Loudoun County to fund construction of Phase Two of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Silver Line extension.

Sound Transit Board approves 2015 budget

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2015 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, anticipates carrying more than 32 million riders and prepares for a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

Second Avenue Subway Station shell at 86th Street complete

Metropolitan Transportation Authority‘s Second Avenue Subway construction has reached a milestone with the on-time completion of the 86th Street Station cavern.

MTA seeks federal funds for Canarsie L Line infrastructure improvements

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York is seeking federal funding toward approximately $300 million in infrastructure improvements for the Canarsie L Line, which runs from Manhattan to the Canarsie section of Brooklyn through neighborhoods that have seen the largest increases in population in New York City.

CTC allocates $102 million for state rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $254 million for 41 transportation projects that it says will enhance the safety and mobility of Californians throughout the state. The allocation includes $102 million for rail projects.

How rail fares in spending bill

The House and Senate’s effort to keep the federal government operating through the end of fiscal year 2015 was revealed late Tuesday in the form of a trillion-dollar-plus spending bill, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015.

Testing begins on Foothill Gold Line Pasadena to Azusa section

The first light-rail vehicle traveled on the Foothill Gold Line December 9, kicking off the testing phase of the line, which will connect Pasadena and Azusa, Calif.

HART completes first mile of guideway

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has finished installing the first mile of the 20-mile elevated guideway in west Oahu, Hawaii.

Fall Conference recap: AREMA, RTA

The 96th Annual Railway Tie Association Symposium and Technical Conference was held October 14 – 17 in Orlando, Fla., where 307 attendees gathered together to discuss the crosstie industry, as well as the railroading environment as a whole.

CTA begins Wilson Station reconstruction

The Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) broke ground Dec. 8 on the Wilson Station Reconstruction Project, which will modernize the 91-year-old stationhouse and the station’s more than 100-year-old track structure.

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