NYCT completes one station renewal, begins two more


Beginning December 28, F Line riders will have access to the newly refurbished Manhattan-bound platform at the Avenue X station in Brooklyn. The six-month station renewal project is part of a major $80.5-million capital project, awarded to Kiska Construction Inc. that will completely renew nine stations along the Culver F Line.

TEX Rail forges shared-use agreement

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) and representatives from Union Pacific, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Amtrak, Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FW&W) and Regional Rail Right-of-Way Co. on Dec. 28, 2015 signed a shared-use operating agreement for the TEX Rail commuter rail line, slated to begin service in 2018.

Metra recounts 2015

Metra says it has had an eventful 2015, with construction and trackwork projects being completed and launched, new safety awareness campaigns and an app, as well as many other accomplishments.

TranSystems welcomes Alex Houseal, PE

TranSystems has named Alex Houseal regional vice president for the Pennsylvania and New Jersey operations.

Union Pacific named to Victory Media’s 2016 Military Friendly Employers List

Union Pacific earned the Military Friendly Employer designation from Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, ranking sixth among the top 100.

NJ Transit names Martin interim executive director

The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors appointed Dennis J. Martin as interim executive director, effective Monday, December 28.

NS to idle Ashtabula coal pier

Norfolk Southern plans to consolidate operations of its coal docks located on Lake Erie in Northern Ohio, which will streamline operations for customers while improving network efficiency and reducing operating costs for NS.

TriMet close to completion on MAX crossing safety enhancements

This week in Portland, Ore., final installation of safety enhancements began at TriMet‘s MAX Orange Line crossings at SE 11th Ave.

Ansaldo STS awarded MBTA PTC contract

Ansaldo STS was awarded a $338-million contract from Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to furnish a complete positive train control (PTC) system on its entire commuter rail network.

B&P Tunnel DEIS released

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Amtrak and the Baltimore City Department of Transportation released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the B&P Tunnel Project Dec. 18.

Sound Transit, LACMTA projects move forward with omnibus bill allocations

The passage of the Omnibus Appropriations bill late last week solidified funding for transit projects through the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts/Small Starts program. Transit agencies, such as Sound Transit and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), are hailing the bill’s passage as progress for major transit expansion projects.

Omnibus bill extends shortline tax credit, funds TIGER and safety grants

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a monster spending bill late last week, which will keep federal agencies funded through the end of September 2016.

Northern Manitoba First Nations to purchase OmniTRAX Canada property

OmniTRAX Canada has accepted a letter of intent from a group of Northern Manitoba First Nations for the purchase of its Manitoba assets. This triggers a 45-day due diligence period in which both parties will work together to ensure that a purchase becomes a reality.

Sound Transit Board approves 2016 budget with focus on rail system expansion

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2016 budget that provides $802.9 million in light rail and other system expansions.

Amtrak Texas Eagle moves to TRE corridor

Amtrak has concluded negotiations and changed the route of the Texas Eagle train between Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, to run on the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) corridor.

Harvard report makes recommendations to strengthen MBTA fiscal position

In the wake of last winter’s severe service disruptions and the ongoing debate over cost overruns associated with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Green Line extension, Charles Chieppo, a senior fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School released a report outlining a number of reforms intended to put the MBTA fiscal house in order.

Minnesota transit board approves funds for commuter, transit project

The Minnesota Counties Transit Improvement Board authorized funding for three rail projects on December 16.

MnDOT cuts Northern Lights Express cost projections

The Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance, in conjunction with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MdDOT) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), has cut the Northern Lights Express high-speed passenger rail project (NLX) cost in half.

Chicago RTA 2016 budget to fund CTA, Metra improvements

Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors adopted the 2016 operating budgets, which will fund Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra improvements next year.

D.C. Streetcar begins pre-revenue operations

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington, D.C., has started Pre-Revenue Operations (PRO) for the DC Streetcar as DDOT prepares the system for safety certification to carry passengers.

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