ABR launches U.S. high-speed division

American Business Research, Inc. (ABR), launched the High Speed Railway Division it says to bring its years of experience developing high-speed railroads to the United States.

PANYNJ names new chief engineer

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) named Jim Starace chief engineer. Starace is a 29-year veteran engineer who has been responsible for overseeing some of the agency’s most critical transportation projects.

STV awarded CHSRA environmental and engineering documents contract

STV was awarded a contract with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to prepare environmental and engineering documents for the Burbank to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to Anaheim project sections.

Metra begins Waukegan Station project; preps for switch project

Metra kicked off a $530,000-project to rehabilitate the Waukegan Station on its Union Pacific North Line June 29.

Caltrans transfers management of intercity San Joaquin, Surfliner routes

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) transferred the management of intercity rail services for the San Joaquin and Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) (Pacific Surfliner) corridors to two Joint Powers Authorities (JPA).

SacRT begins testing on blue line

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) started operating test trains June 29 on the Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) light-rail extension currently under construction.

BLET restructures Safety Task Force

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division has restructured its Safety Task Force (STF).

Gov. Hogan: Purple Line a go, Red Line gets a no

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan gave the go ahead on a “more cost-effective and streamlined” version of the proposed Purple Line, but said the Red Line project would not proceed.

Contract awarded to design, build and maintain MTA police radio system

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a 20-year, $70.7-million contract to the Harris Corporation of Rochester for the design, construction and maintenance of an enhanced radio system for the MTA Police Department.

R. J. Corman plans purchase, rehab of Carolina Southern

R. J. Corman Railroad Company has signed an agreement to purchase Carolina Southern Railroad, an 80-mile shortline railroad in eastern North and South Carolina, for $13.9 million.

Sound Transit completes first phase of University Link testing

Sound Transit contractors have completed initial work to integrate and test University Link light-rail signal and power systems as part of the push to open the extension in early 2016.

Siemens-sponsored study shows commuter projects have paid off for Salt Lake City region

A public transportation technology partnership between Salt Lake City and Siemens has resulted in 1,300 new jobs that have spurred an estimated $225 million in value to the local economy, according to a Siemens-sponsored study conducted by the Economic Development Research Group.

EPW Committee hopes to DRIVE surface transportation bill through Senate

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee introduced a six-year, $278-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal on June 23, S.1647, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act.

MTA marks centennial anniversary of Fourth Avenue Line

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) marked the centennial anniversary of the Fourth Avenue Line, which the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (eventually the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation or BMT) originally opened on June 22, 1915, to shuttle riders between Manhattan and Coney Island.

Gannett Fleming names Edraki VP of Canadian operations

Alireza Edraki, PEng, PMP, has joined Gannett Fleming as a vice president of Canadian operations for Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems.

APTA recognizes winners of Rail Rodeo, safety and security awards

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named the winners of its annual Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards, as well as the Rail Transit Team Achievement Award during its annual Rail Conference taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gov. Baker pledges funding for Springfield Union Station redevelopment

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito have committed the remaining funds necessary to reach the total goal required to complete the redevelopment of Union Station in Springfield, Mass.

LRIW sets annual conference agenda

 as part of Railway Interchange 2015

The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) released the agenda for its annual conference, which will be held in conjunction with Railway Interchange 2015, taking place October 4-7 in Minneapolis, Minn.

RailWorks executive Brace retires

Scott Brace, who has served as president of RailWorks Track Systems, Inc., for the past five years, has retired.

Canada pledges to cover one-third of Toronto’s proposed SmartTrack line

The government of Canada committed to provide approximately CA$2.6 billion (US$2.1 billion) toward Toronto’s SmartTrack regional express rail surface line. The funds would come from the government’s new Public Transit Fund (PTF).

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