LACMTA, Waze to provide rail crossing alerts for drivers

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Transit Safety Programs (TSP) is partnering with the navigation app Waze to provide rail-crossing safety alerts for drivers beginning April 10.

Metra launches 2017 construction program

Chicago’s Metra and its railroad partners announced plans to begin $216 million worth of infrastructure investments in 2017.

Amtrak to review maintenance practices following Penn Station derailments

Amtrak has completed repairs to tracks at New York Penn Station following two derailments in the past month and the railroad’s CEO has pledged a review of its maintenance practices to ensure the situation is not repeated.

ASLRRA creates Short Line Education Fund to support education, training and industry programs

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has created the Short Line Education Fund to address industry training and certification needs.

Union Pacific to spend $180 million to improve California infrastructure

Union Pacific plans to invest $180 million into its California infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.

Michael Baker hires Ted Coffey as VP to oversee East Coast railroad and transit operations

Michael Baker International hired Ted Coffey as vice president and deputy national market lead in the railroad and transit practice. In this role, Coffey will oversee Michael Baker’s East Coast railroad and transit operations, leading business and strategic development.

Union Pacific repeats as top railroad in employee safety

Union Pacific marks its second consecutive year as the top-performing railroad in employee safety. This milestone follows the Class 1 achieving its best annual employee safety performance in its 154-year history in 2016.

MBTA to invest $911 million to improve South Shore Red Line stations, cars and infrastructure

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will discuss major improvements and renovations at stations and garages on the South Shore at four public meetings that begin next week.

Canada commits to funding GO RER with CA$1.8 billion

The government of Canada will provide CA$1.8 billion (US$1.35 billion) to the GO Transit Regional Express rail (GO RER) project in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area.

HNTB’s Diana Mendes honored, firm welcomes Robert James

Diana Mendes, HNTB Corporation transit/rail practice leader and senior vice president, was named 2017 Training Professional of the Year Award by the National Transit Institute (NTI). HNTB also welcomed Robert James to the firm’s Parsippany, N.J. office as a senior project manager for electrical engineering.

Sec. Chao: Regulations, not funding are holding up infrastructure advancement

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says the administration’s forthcoming infrastructure proposal will cover more than infrastructure and reiterated the belief that regulatory red tape, not funding, is responsible for holding up projects.

SEPTA Releases Proposed FY 2018 Capital Budget

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will advance initiatives to renew critical infrastructure, replace aging portions of its fleet, expand capacity for growing ridership and make technology improvements under its proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Budget.

Canada 2017 federal budget commits to transit funding

Canada’s federal 2017 budget was released March 22 in a move the government called “the next step in the government’s long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class.”

IO, Metrolinx issue RFQ for Lakeshore East project

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Lakeshore East – East Corridor Expansion project.

Virginia launches review of WMATA practices

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the commonwealth would take on an independent review of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) “to identify potential changes to governance and funding, and help position WMATA to support growth in the region.”

Certified Safety Professional Julie Tufte joins TKDA team as safety manager

Julie Tufte, a certified safety professional, recently joined TKDA as safety manager.

CTC allocates $60 million to California rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $217 million to 72 projects in the state including more than $60 million for state rail projects.

2016 had lowest accident rate on record, says FRA

U.S. railroads had the lowest train accident rate on record in 2016, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

New Burbank overpass eliminates street level rail crossing

A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for a project that elevated two miles of Metrolink, Amtrak and freight tracks in Burbank, Calif. eliminating a street level crossing at Buena Vista Street and San Fernando Road.

2017 Norfolk Southern safety train to stop in 23 cities

Norfolk Southern’s safety train will stop in 23 cities during 2017 as part of its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, which provides first responders with free training on how to respond to a railroad incident.

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