TSB makes safety recommendations for improved track inspections following 2015 derailment in Ontario

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is recommending that Transport Canada (TC) incorporate predictive data on rail surface conditions to help better focus its targeted regulatory track inspections.

FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

USDOT proposal aims to spur private investment in public transit

The federal government is hoping a new proposal will spur private investment in public transportation.

Senate appropriations committee preserves TIGER, Amtrak funding in THUD bill

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which prioritizes funding for many transportation projects on July 27.

MTA to tackle subway action plan

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has developed a two-phase action plan to improve its system and lay a foundation for a more modern subway.

U.S. DOT releases TIGER funds to Illinois

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the $14 million in funds from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant the city of Springfield received for phase two of the rail improvement project.

Ansaldo STS to install CBTC on Baltimore Metro Subway Link

Hitachi Ansaldo Baltimore Rail Partners, LLC, has been awarded a contract from Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to provide a Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system for the Baltimore Metro Subway Link.

San Gabriel trench welcomes inaugural train service

The first train service rolled through the San Gabriel trench earlier this week.

Bhavesh “Bob” Patel joins UP board of directors

Union Pacific Corporation elected Bhavesh “Bob” V. Patel to the company’s board of directors.

Driver at fault for 2015 fatal vehicle-train collision, says NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found yesterday that the probable cause of a deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro-North commuter train at a grade crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., in 2015 was due to the actions of the SUV driver.

U.S. DOT appoints Horner, McMillin to WMATA Board

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao appointed David Horner and Steve McMillin to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors on Monday.

CTA reopens one station entrance at IMD Blue Line, closes two for rehab

After about five months of construction work, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) says the Damen Avenue entrance for the Illinois Medical District (IMD) Blue Line station has reopened. The station entrance closed on February 6 earlier this year.

Caltrain officially begins electrification project

Following years of planning and recent federal funding uncertainty, Caltrain broke ground on Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project July 21.

NCTD to begin PTC revenue testing

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has authorized the North County Transit District (NCTD) to begin Positive Train Control (PTC) Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) operations on Coaster trains.

UP sees safety boost at rail crossings in first half of 2017

Vehicle-train collisions at Union Pacific railroad crossings declined by five percent in the first half of 2017, compared to last year, according to Class 1. Union Pacific attributes this decline to its rail safety programs geared towards improved public safety.

PANYNJ approves two PATH substation replacements

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners approved two projects to replace aging substations in order to continue to upgrade the century-old line’s infrastructure.

OmniTRAX estimates HBR service restoration could top $60M

OmniTRAX is developing a 60-day plan to return the northern portion of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) to service following floods that caused significant damage to the line in May.

Gov. Cuomo touts $5.6B LIRR transformation

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at a July 19 luncheon for the Long Island Association where he outlined the historic $5.6-billion transformation of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

Metra moves forward with suicide prevention sign installation

Metra is moving forward with its plan to develop and install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.

FRA issues Gulf Coast passenger rail report; Class 1s not fully on board

A report submitted to Congress on July 17 says restored Gulf Coast Amtrak service would expand travel markets; improve access to jobs, education and healthcare; reduce vehicular congestion and provide support for disaster and emergency response during coastal storm events.

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