Charlotte authorizes $250 million for two LYNX Blue Line projects

Charlotte City Council has authorized $249.8 million for construction of LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) and Blue Line Capacity projects.

CTA plans to rebuild northern section of Red Line and parallel Purple Line

Chicago Transit Authority revealed the next step in its continued effort to modernize the Red Line. The first phase of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) program, which will completely rebuild the northern section of the Red Line and the parallel Purple Line is expected to begin this fall.

MTA awards two East Side Access contracts

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded two contracts for the East Side Access project, the transportation megaproject that is connecting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) customers to Grand Central Terminal.

TriMet unveils name of Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge: Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People

The TriMet Bridge Naming Committee unanimously selected “Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People” for the name for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Bridge, which will be the first cable-stayed bridge for the region, extending 1,720 feet over the river.

Massachusetts awards grants for freight projects

Massachusetts awarded seven grants totaling $2.5 million for industrial rail projects as part of the 2014 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP), which is being matched by more than $1.9 million in private sector funds for a total $4.5 million investment.

Overcoming obstacles: The Carlsbad Double Track and Bridge Project

Creating capacity within an existing infrastructure footprint can be a tricky task, but one the Carlsbad Double Track and Bridge Project succeeds in doing.

The real zeal behind railroad maintenance

While Reading & Northern may be smaller in size to other railroads, its employees are never short on enthusiasm, dedication and passion when it comes to maintaining its assets.

Amtrak, Maryland DOT, FRA partner on Susquehanna River Bridge study

Amtrak, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has launched a preliminary engineering study for rehabilitation or possible replacement of the 108-year-old Susquehanna River Rail Bridge.

LIRR begins Long Beach Branch restoration project

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is starting a $120-million construction program designed to protect the LIRR’s Long Beach Branch from the kind of devastating damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

INRD funds upcycling research looking at turning ties into biofuel

Through a grant from the Indiana Rail Road (INRD), the Coalition for Sustainable Rail (CSR) is initiating research on conversion of used railroad ties into an advanced biofuel, which is a first look into the viability of upcycling used railroad ties.

Koppers to acquire Osmose wood preservation and railroad services businesses

Koppers Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire the Wood Preservation and Railroad Services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.

Illinois to fund restoration of Chicago to Rockford Amtrak service

The state of Illinois will make a $223-million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015.

CTA readies for station renovation and Orange Line trackwork

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) next week will begin major work on the rehabilitation of the Harrison Red Line station and the Orange Line’s 18th Street Connector, as part of a larger $92 million transportation investment in the Near South Side.

Illinois’ new six-year transportation program includes $1.85 billion for public transit

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled a six-year, $8.6-billion construction program that he says will improve roads and bridges throughout Illinois while making major investments in public transportation.

Southwest light-rail shallow tunnel plan approved by Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council voted 14-2 on April 9 to approve the Southwest LRT (METRO Green Line Extension) Project, the Minneapolis area’s third light-rail transit line.

BNSF, Metra to begin tie and surface project along Illinois line

A major tie replacement and track resurfacing project will get underway during the last two weeks of April on Metra’s BNSF Line to Aurora, Ill. Metra said the project is part of an effort to maintain and improve the quality of service.

Amtrak awards contract for Hudson Line improvements

Amtrak awarded Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker International, a three-year, $4.2 million dollar contract to provide construction management and inspection services for five major projects as part of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Amtrak Hudson Line Improvements Program.

Report says NEC moves a workforce that contributes $50 billion annually to national economy

A new report details how the Northeast Corridor (NEC), carrying 750,000 daily Amtrak and commuter passengers, is a critical national asset, an economic engine for the U.S. and contributes about $50 billion a year to the national economy.

UP utilizing its TRT 909 for Nebraska and Iowa infrastructure improvements

Union Pacific Railroad began work to improve infrastructure in Nebraska and by investing more than $9 million in the rail line between near Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Arlington, Neb. The project began April 1 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month.

AAR Annual Research Review draws record crowds to new venue

A record number of attendees joined researchers from Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the Association of American Railroads 19th Annual Research Review April 1-2, 2014. This year’s theme was “Innovative Technology Developments in North American Railways.”

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