UP adds to its 2014 capital spending program

Union Pacific’s Board of Directors approved an additional $150 million in capital expenditures, bringing the railroad’s total 2014 capital spending plan to $4.1 billion.

TIGER grant applications request 15 times more than available funding

The application period for the sixth round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants recently ended. Once again, USDOT says the request for funds far exceeds what is available. The 797 eligible applications, compared to 585 in 2013, request $9.5 billion, 15 times the $600 million set aside for the program.

Metra hosts Rep. Duckworth to highlight need for Fox River bridge replacement

Metra officials gave U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) an up-close look at why Metra needs to replace an aging, single-track bridge that carries the Milwaukee West Line over the Fox River near Elgin, Ill.

Second LYNX Blue Line contract awarded to Balfour Beatty

Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. (BBII), was chosen by the city of Charlotte to build the track and systems components of the new Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line Extension, as well as the Blue Line Capacity Expansion Project.

OCTA begins construction of final three grade separations in O.C. Bridges program

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) officials and city leaders from Fullerton, Placentia and Anaheim, Calif., marked the start of construction on the final three projects in the O.C. Bridges program with a groundbreaking ceremony May 9.

Railroad energy harvester among winners of New York clean energy awards

The University of Stony Brook’s work on generating clean energy from railroad track vibrations was one of several to receive an award from PowerBridgeNY, a recently created proof-of-concept center established to move clean-energy ideas from the laboratory to become successful businesses in New York State.

Metro-North completes Bronx track project

Metropolitan Transportation Authority‘s Metro-North Railroad completed a track reconstruction effort that began in July 2013 on the tracks through the central Bronx used by New Haven Line and Harlem Line trains. The authority says the work results in a safer, smoother ride and improved operating speeds.

Desert Line receives support from South County EDC board members

South County Economic Development Council (SCEDC) board members voted to support the reactivation of the San Diego Arizona Eastern Railway at its May board of directors meeting.

NCDOT to begin Morrisville Parkway Railroad Crossing Bridge project

Work is expected to begin on May 12 on a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) project to replace a railroad crossing on Morrisville Parkway with a bridge to carry rail traffic over the road. This is one of a series of projects to improve at-grade crossings along the rail corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte.

Ouch: House Appropriations Committee cuts transportation FY 2015 budget by nearly $730 million

The House Appropriations Committee released its Fiscal Year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill. The committee proposal allocates $17.1 billion for the Department of Transportation, $727 million below FY 2014 funding levels.

SCVTA to close two light-rail stations to speed track construction

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) will be shutting down two light-rail stations and the segment of track in between in Santa Clara, Calif., to help speed up construction of the Santa Clara Pocket Track, an extra track that will hold the trains needed to meet the anticipated increases in ridership.

FASTRACK returns to Brooklyn

Beginning May 5, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program will return to the A and C lines in Brooklyn.

BNSF 2014 capital program progressing with Northern Corridor projects

BNSF has kicked-off its plan to invest approximately $1 billion to improve and expand rail capacity in states along its Northern Corridor, which spans the northern U.S. between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago. Some of the projects that will help expand capacity and improve traffic flow for all freight and passenger trains for current and future growth on those routes are well underway.

RAIL.ONE opens concrete tie facility in Iowa

The RAIL.ONE Group, a manufacturer of concrete crossties and system provider for rail-mounted tracks, opened a new factory in Clinton, Iowa. Construction of the $22-million production facility began in 2013.

UP invests in Minnesota’s and Iowa’s transportation infrastructures

Union Pacific will strengthen Minnesota’s and Iowa’s transportation infrastructures by investing $17.5 million in the rail line between Butterfield, Minn., and near Mason City, Iowa. The project began April 8 and is scheduled to be completed by mid- July.

MTA Board considers expanded PTC contract, LIRR bridge replacement plan

In a move to enhance the safety of Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) signaling systems sooner, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board committees approved the expansion of a contract with a joint venture of Bombardier Transportation/Siemens Rail Automation by an additional $11.3 million.

LACMTA awards Regional Connector and Union Station rail improvement contracts

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors approved a $927.2-million contract to Regional Connector Constructors, a joint venture between Skanska USA Civil West California District, Inc., and Traylor Brothers Inc. to design and build the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project.

SEPTA unveils improvement projects For Delaware County

Several long-needed Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rail infrastructure improvements in Delaware County will move forward this year thanks to newly available transportation funding from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Metra plans grade-crossing work on Milwaukee Ave.

Chicago’s Metra will perform grade-crossing work on Milwaukee Avenue where it intersects with its Milwaukee North Line in Libertyville, Ill., from May 2-7.

Secretary Foxx visits Birmingham intermodal transit facility, Atlanta Beltline to promote transportation investment

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently visited construction of the future site of the Birmingham Intermodal Facility as part his “Invest in America, Commit to the Future” bus tour, calling it an investment in Alabama’s economic future

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