Nine MTA N Stations enter final phase of $395.7-million renovation

Coney Island-bound platforms at seven Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) N stations in Brooklyn will close on July 31 for the final phase of a major $395.7-million renovation project.

BRACE Act’s short line tax credit attracts majority support in Congress

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.

Metra puts Safety Train to work

Metra’s Board of Directors along with agency officials sent the Metra Safety Train on an excursion to “highlight the numerous ways that Metra strives to operate the safest possible railroad for its customers, employees, local schoolchildren and the public.”

New name and logo as Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch rebrands

Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company’s operations.

FRA issues ROD on NEC FUTURE

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) FUTURE program that details a long-term vision for the corridor to improve and grow passenger rail service at a cost between $121 billion and $153 billion.

Progress continues for new accessible Schenectady Station

Demolition of the Schenectady Station is underway. The new, fully accessible rail station, which will connect travelers to places like New York City and Niagara Falls, has a projected cost of $23 million.

House Appropriations Committee THUD bill: TIGER eliminated; preserves other grants

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill July 10.

Batory picked for FRA chief

The White House on July 10 announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate Ronald L. Batory, who recently retired as president and chief operating officer of Conrail, as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Metrolinx safety officer receives OL Canada award

Operation Lifesaver Canada has named Metrolinx transit safety officer Peter Mohyla as the recipient of its 2016 Roger Cyr Award for Public Safety.

Caltrain awards $82.9 million contract to joint venture

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Hudson Tunnel DEIS identifies $13-billion preferred alternative

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

Caltrans allocates $34.5 million to help fund 125 local projects

Caltrans has allocated $34.5 million in funding from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program that will benefit 125 California projects.

Allowing market forces to improve rail safety

Legislation to improve rail safety through amplified use of the free-market forces of competition and innovation has been introduced in the Senate by Surface Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

Grade separation planned in Columbus, Ind.

A $30-million grade separation will be built in Columbus, Ind., in anticipation of increased train traffic following planned upgrades CSX is making on the Louisville & Indiana (L&I) Railroad line between Louisville, Ky., and Indianapolis, Ind.

MTA opens rehabbed South Ferry Terminal

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) re-opened the South Ferry Terminal Complex July 2, marking a major milestone in its Superstorm Sandy recover and resiliency efforts.

Murta named executive director of the Short Line Safety Institute

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has selected Thomas Murta as its executive director, effective July 10, 2017.

Illinois Sens.: FASTLANE change could delay key rail projects

A pair of U.S. senators from Illinois say the restructuring of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program could delay progress on two key rail projects: the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project and Merchants Railroad Bridge Project.

Transit security legislation enters U.S. House

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3) introduced Securing America’s Facilities, Equipment, and Rail: Taking Responsibility for American National Security in Transit (SAFER TRANSIT) Act “to better secure [the] country’s public transit systems.”

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.

New York area transit takes steps to increase rail safety

A New York area passenger transit has acquired Strukton Rail North America Inc.’s remotely controlled ZKL 3000 RC shunting devices.

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