Denver RTD to pursue competitive bidding process for I-225 light-rail

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District will be advertising a Request for Proposals, after determining that an unsolicited proposal for the I-225 Light Rail Project has merit.

LYNX Blue Line Extension Project celebrates dedicated state funding

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and state and local leaders will “Stake their Claim” at a State Full Funding Grant Agreement ceremony for the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Extension Project, on Thursday, April 19. The event will take place on the campus of UNC Charlotte at its Bioinformatics Building.

Consolidated Fastfrate to join CP at Global Transportation Hub

Consolidated Fastfrate (CFF), a transportation and logistics services company in Canada, has proposed a 10,000 sq. ft. cross dock facility, co-located with Canadian Pacific’s intermodal rail yard, as the first phase of a multi-phased project that would start construction at the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) in the spring of 2012.
The 10-acre development is scheduled to be operational on or before fall of 2013. CFF has an option for further expansion.

FTA unveils new environmental benefits website

The Federal Transit Administration celebrated Earth Day by unveiling a new environmental benefits website highlighting a commitment to investing in affordable, innovative and sustainable public transit alternatives that reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and help secure an independent energy future.

TSA recognizes Amtrak’s BASE security program as Gold Standard

Amtrak is being recognized by the Transportation Security Administration for earning the agency’s Gold Standard on the railroad’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE). This designation recognizes Amtrak’s dedication to building a strong security program.

BLET members ratify Union Pacific contract

By a nearly four to one margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new on-property collective bargaining agreement with Union Pacific.

The Tide hits 1-million rider mark

Hampton Roads Transit in Virginia will celebrate a major milestone on Tuesday, April 17 – one million rides on The Tide light rail.

Watco names chief engineer to Gulf Region

Watco Transportation Services named Ron Isaacs chief engineer for the Gulf Region. Isaacs will be responsible for the continued development and im¬provement of safety, track team member development and track efficiency in all areas of the Gulf Region.

Vancouver station restoration complete

The completion of a CA$6.9 million (US$6.89 million) project to restore VIA Rail Canada’s heritage train station in Vancouver, B.C., was celebrated on April 13.

Construction begins on BART rail extension to Silicon Valley

The Santa Clara Valley Construction Authority broke ground on a 10-mile extension of the San Fancisco Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system out to Silicon Valley that will provide a new choice for residents who commute to the high-tech corridor each day.

Sound Transit purchases land for East Link light rail

Seattle-area’s Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle have finalized Sound Transit’s purchase of 1.1 miles of former BNSF track in Bellevue for construction of East Link light rail, as well as easements for future access to 37 miles of the Eastside rail corridor.

CHSRA Board passes revised business plan

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board passed a 2012 revised business plan that will provide for high-speed rail service within a decade, connect the state’s major metropolitan areas, utilize existing rail infrastructure in northern and southern California and provide earlier statewide benefits to commuters in the Bay Area and Los Angeles at a cost of $68.4 billion.

WSDOT, ODOT work toward continuous rail corridor goal

Washington and Oregon are creating a new partnership and will develop a plan for managing passenger-rail service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., Canada, as one continuous rail corridor rather than two separate state operations. Transportation officials for each state signed an agreement as another step toward offering faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service. 



FTA funds give 175 transit agencies flexibility in fuel prices

Selected transit agencies in cash-strapped municipalities from coast to coast and Puerto Rico may now use certain Federal Transit Administration funds to cover the cost of the gas, diesel and electric power that keeps buses, light rail, streetcars and other transit vehicles up and running.

Amtrak on pace to set new ridership record

Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record as passenger counts across its national network for the first six months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 – March 2012) are up 3.7 percent over the same period last year when the current record was established.

TriMet releases FY13 budget, final proposal for service cuts and fare changes to help close budget

After six months of extensive public outreach, Portland, Ore.-area TriMet released its final budget proposal to close the $12 million to $17 million shortfall in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The budget begins July 1, 2012.

UP recognizes 74 companies as Pinnacle Award Winners

Union Pacific named 74 companies as annual Pinnacle Award recipients for chemical transportation safety. The award recognizes Union Pacific customers that implemented successful prevention and corrective plans and achieved a rate of zero non-accident releases (NARs) for regulated hazardous materials shipments.

Keeping things moving quickly

Trackwork requires materials to be moved to the right place at the right time,  advances to material handling equipment is helping make that happen.

Recap of a big month

This is always a busy time of year around our offices. Between the Railroader of the Year dinner, Railroad Day on the Hill and AAR’s annual research review, I sometimes wish I had a cheat sheet of where everyone will be and on what day.

Fairfax Country confirms Dulles rail project participation, approves station Names

The Virginia Fairfax County Board of Supervisors confirmed the county’s participation in Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

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