TEX Rail receives FTA approval to enter engineering phase

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to advance TEX Rail into the engineering phase that immediately precedes the start of construction.

The rail community comes together for the 7th Annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joined the international rail transportation community to raise awareness among cyclists and pedestrians about the dangers of railroad grade crossings during the 7th Annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) June 3. Major U.S. freight railroads hosted ILCAD events across the U.S. with an additional 43 countries and numerous international railroad organizations and companies doing the same worldwide with a focus on the common message: “Take your time, don’t risk your life!”

Bianco retires from MTA NYCT

President of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT), Carmen Bianco plans to retire later this year from his position running the largest mass transit system in North America. In his time as president, Bianco transformed the agency’s organizational culture to align management strategies, enhance safety and improve customer service to advance the subways, buses, paratransit and Staten Island Railway in New York City.

CN to expand cold supply chain reefer capacity

Canadian National will invest CA$20-million (US$-16 million) in the expansion of its cold supply chain capacity to help producers and distributors of chilled or frozen foods grow their businesses in 20 North American and overseas markets.

Feinberg nominated as FRA administrator

On May 29, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Sarah Feinberg as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Feinberg has been serving as acting administrator since January 9, 2015.

TRB accepting proposals for rail safety IDEA Program

The Transportation Research Board is accepting proposals until September 15, 2015, for the Safety IDEA Program, which supports the development and testing of innovative concepts and methods for improving railroad safety or performance.

FEC and Port Miami meet with Panama Canal officials

Jim Hertwig, Florida East Coast Railway’s (FEC) president and chief executive officer and Juan Kuryla, director and CEO of PortMiami, met with Panama Canal officials and toured the construction site for the canal expansion, which is scheduled to be completed in April 2016.

LACMTA Board adopts new FY 2016 budget

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors has approved a new $5.56 billion FY 2016 budget.

STB releases FEIS for proposed Utah line

The Surface Transportation Board‘s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed construction and operation of a 43-mile rail line between Levan and Salina, Utah. Approval to construct and operate the line is being sought by the Six County Association of Governments’ (Six Counties), an association of local governments located in central Utah.

Rail Summit succeeds again in Chicago

The annual Rail Summit, held in Chicago, Ill., at the Union League Club of Chicago, was well attended by transportation executives and decision makers discussing this year’s theme of the supply chain including railroads, waterways and trucking.

Aéroports de Montréal wants to integrate LRT proposals into single system

Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) presented a proposal to Québec’s Committee on Public Finance that would integrate the light-rail systems of the South Shore and West Island.

Patch to transportation bill buys Congress two more months

A bill to extend current surface transportation funding at MAP-21 levels through July was approved by the Senate on Friday, May 22, and now awaits President Obama’s signature.

Ontario to fully fund Hamilton LRT; expand Lakeshore West GO service

The province of Ontario will provide up to CA$1 billion (US$804 million) to build a new light-rail transit (LRT) line in Hamilton as part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history.

Parsons names Walker VP of Rail and Transit division

Parsons appointed Jannet M. Walker as vice president and deputy eastern sector manager for the corporation’s Rail and Transit Systems Division. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., her primary focus will be growing the rail and transit business in the eastern United States, providing leadership in overall operations and sector management.

Maintenance facility dedicated for Foothill Gold Line

California’s Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority held a community open house and dedication for the Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus.

Connecticut crossing gets safety improvements

Safety improvements, including the installation of vehicular traffic gates and warning lights, have been completed at a private railroad crossing in the Springdale neighborhood of Stamford where there have been several accidents in recent years involving vehicles striking trains.

Heller and Booth assume additional responsibilities at Norfolk Southern

Jeffrey Heller and Cary Booth have assumed additional responsibilities in Norfolk Southern‘s intermodal department.

Met Council aims to cut $341 million from Southwest LRT project

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council‘s Southwest Project Office is analyzing options for cutting $341 million in costs for the Green Line light-rail extension from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

Alexandria City Council selects new WMATA station location

Virginia’s Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to endorse the construction of a new Potomac Yard Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA) Station and select “Alternative B” as the preferred location. This endorsement now permits the development of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for expected release this winter.

New agreement prioritizes Houston regional rail development

U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-TX-7) and Houston Metro Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia made an agreement, which they say paves the way for future transportation solutions to address the growing needs of the region.

LOAD MORE