MBTA preps for new Red Line fleet with test track
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will begin work this fall on a piece of track that will be used for testing new Red Line cars in 2019.
Track Structure
Quebec funds Gaspé railway revival
The Premier of Quebec Philippe Couillard announced on May 5 that the province will allocate CA$100 million (US$73 million) towards the rehabilitation of the Matapédia – Gaspé line.
Union Pacific to invest $57 million in Kansas rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) plans to invest approximately $57 million in Kansas infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of UP’s $3.1-billion capital plan.
RFP issued for Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel environmental study
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) issued a Request for Proposals for the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel Tier II Environmental Impact Study. The study will explore a cross-harbor freight tunnel that would offer New York City a direct link to the national freight rail network.
Winnipeg grade separation breaks ground
Local and federal Canadian officials gathered May 5 to break ground on a grade separation project in Winnipeg, MB.
Sound Transit federal funding for Lynnwood extension safe
A portion of federal funding committed to Sound Transit for the Lynnwood Link Extension was saved as part of the Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations Bill, which gained congressional approval on May 4.
ConnDOT taps consulting team to plan for rail system’s future
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has selected its consulting team as it begins to plan for the future of the New Haven Line, as well as the state’s rail system.
NEC Commission identifies needs of $38 billion
The Northeast Corridor Commission on May 3 submitted to Congress two reports detailing short-and-long-term capital investment needs totaling some $38 billion for the 457-mile electrified rail line linking Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
ConnDOT completes Berlin-Waterbury rail study
The Central Connecticut Rail Study (CCRS) has been completed and found investment in the rail corridor for freight use would be viable, while passenger rail investment would be cost prohibitive.
Swedish ties, American fasteners
Pandrol’s FASTCLIP FE fastening system has been chosen as the preferred fastening for a Trafikverket (TRV, Swedish Transport Administration) 20-year framework agreement with Swedish producers of concrete crossties.
CP-served Legacy mine opens in Saskatchewan
Canadian Pacific joined K+S Potash Canada (KSPC) to celebrate the opening of the Legacy Project mine on May 2.
MTA awards Tutor Perini $291.5-million contract for the Mid-Day Storage Yard project
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded Tutor Perini a $291.5-million contract for the Mid-Day Storage Yard portion of the East Side Access Project.
NYCT performs critical Canarsie Tunnel repairs before planned 2019 closure
Prepatory work on New York City Transit’s (NYCT) L Line Canarsie Tunnel will begin this month to ensure the tunnel remains useable until larger repairs can be made.
Metro-North Railroad invests $9.5 million in Prospect Hill Road Bridge rebuild
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad is rebuilding the Prospect Hill Road Bridge in Southeast through a $9.5 million investment made possible by the MTA’s 2015-2019 Capital Program.
Trains rolling on new triple track in Longview, Wash.
A new third track between Kelso and Longview Junction, Wash., is operational and provides expanded capacity for both passenger and freight trains.
PANYNJ authorizes planning funds for PATH extension
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners authorized $57 million in planning funds for the first phase of the PATH system extension to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Sound Transit announces new timeline for ST2 and ST3 plans
Sound Transit unveiled plans to kick off what the company calls “one of the most ambitious public transit capital investment programs in the nation’s history.”
MassDOT, FRA issue Draft EA for South Station Expansion
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have published a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for the South Station Expansion (SSX) project.
Amtrak prioritizes Penn Station improvement initiatives
Amtrak President and CEO Wick Moorman detailed several initiatives aimed at strengthening the infrastructure and operations at New York Penn Station.
Union Pacific to invest $57 million in Nebraska rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) plans to invest approximately $57 million in Nebraska infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of UP’s $3.1-billion capital plan.