Two LACMTA rail projects receive federal appropriations

The U.S. Department of Transportation plans to award $300 million to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for two major rail projects in Los Angeles County.

Former Secretary of Transportation and UP Chairman Drew Lewis dies at age 84

Andrew Lindsay Lewis Jr., who served as Union Pacific Railroad chairman and chief executive officer from April 1986 to April 1987 and as Union Pacific Corporation president and chief executive officer from 1987 to 1997, passed away Feb. 10, at age 84.

Kansas DOT approves preliminary engineering of Great Bend shipping facility

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has given the go-ahead for preliminary engineering for a transload shipping center at Great Bend, Kan., which will be built west of Great Bend at the airport.

HNTB adds rail leadership to N.C., New York and New Jersey offices

HNTB Corporation’s promoted nine in its New York and New Jersey offices and added a new hire in its North Carolina office.

Eurovia expands into Canada with acquisition of Rail Cantech

Eurovia has finalized the acquisition of Canadian rail contractor Rail Cantech.

Edmonton Valley Line LRT contract signed

A contract has been finalized between the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and TransEd Partners to finance, design, supply vehicles, build, operate and maintain the first phase of the Edmonton Valley Line Light Rail Transit project.

Proposed budget for FTA CIG program includes funding for 25 rail projects


President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget includes $3.5 billion to advance the construction or completion of 31 transportation projects in18 states, of which 25 are rail specific.

MTA to issue Green Bonds to help pay for infrastructure renewal


The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will offer its first-ever Green Bonds to the public in a two-day order period starting February 17.

NRC names Rick Ebersold to the board

National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has appointed Rick Ebersold, president of Herzog Services, Inc., to fill a temporarily open seat on the NRC Board of Directors. The NRC Board unanimously supported the nomination made by Chairman of the Board Chris Daloisio.

Canada helps fund GO Transit, SkyTrain station upgrades


Canada is helping to pay for improvements at two passenger stations in Ontario and British Columbia.

Automated People Mover is cornerstone to LAX upgrade

An Automated People Mover (APM) is a major part of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) upgrade project, which is part of the larger Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP).

Union Pacific crossing accidents down three percent in 2015

Union Pacific reports that in 2015 it reduced railroad-crossing accidents by three percent with a 2.28, which is the total number of Federal Railroad Administration reportable grade crossing accidents per million train miles.

MTA adopts community outreach plan for Canarsie Tube rebuild

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has developed a plan to engage in detailed community consultation on how to proceed with necessary repairs for the Canarsie Tubes, which carry the L train under the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Rep. Goodlatte tours Progress Rail’s Roanoke facility

On February 5, U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-06) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association member company Progress Rail Services for a tour of its locomotive and rail car services facility in Roanoke, Va.

NYC mayor unveils Brooklyn to Queens streetcar proposal

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says explosive housing and job growth occurring along the Brooklyn Queens waterfront are placing ever-increasing demands on the area’s roads and public transit. New York City Mayor de Blasio believes that it is crucial to link this new development with the larger fabric of the city, which is why he has proposed the Brooklyn Queens Connector urban streetcar.

UP Board approves $3.75 billion 2016 capital plan

The Union Pacific Board of Directors approved the company’s 2016 capital plan of approximately $3.75 billion, down about $550 million versus 2015. The plan includes $375 million to further implement Positive Train Control.

RTD bench testing crossing signals for I-225 rail line

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver began off-site “bench testing” in January of train and traffic signals for at-grade crossings on the FasTracks I-225 Rail R Line.

LACMTA lays out plan to advance projects to “shovel ready” stage

In an action to move major rail, bus and highway projects closer to implementation, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) implemented a strategy to aggressively accelerate projects to help bring them to a “shovel-ready” state.

Former SFMTA and SCVTA CEO to lead Caltrain Modernization Program

Michael Burns, who retired as the chief executive officer for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) in 2014, will take the reins of the Caltrain Modernization Program, which the acengy called the most transformative project in the rail system’s 150-year history. Burns was appointed interim chief, Caltrain Modernization officer. He will begin his new role Feb. 8.

Construction on Metrolinx’s East Rail Maintenance Facility progressing

Officials with the province of Ontario say the construction Metrolinx‘s East Rail Maintenance Facility, which will support GO Transit’s planned service expansions including Regional Express Rail program, is well underway.

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