Elected officials tout grade separation proposal in Moorhead, MN
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and local elected officials visited the site of a proposed $42-million grade-separation project in Moorhead.
Track Maintenance
Metrolink to begin tie replacement project
Beginning Feb. 8, Metrolink will begin replacing 21,000 crossties in Orange County, Calif., over the course of nine weeks between the cities of Orange and San Juan Capistrano.
UP grade separation in Arizona approved
The Arizona Corporation Commission approved an upgrade to a busy Tucson Union Pacific railroad crossing that will improve safety and traffic flow.
Thomas named terminal manager for Tradepoint Atlantic Railroad
Tradepoint Atlantic, a 3,100-acre multimodal industrial site in Baltimore, Md., has named Paul Thomas terminal manager, where he will be responsible for developing an operating and capital investment strategy for Tradepoint Atlantic’s shortline railroad.
Two transit projects to benefit from Ontario’s second green bond
Ontario has successfully issued its second green bond, raising CA$750 million (US$542 million) to support environmentally friendly, low-carbon infrastructure projects. Proceeds from the bond will help fund eight projects including, transit, and create jobs in communities across Ontario. The bonds have a maturity date of January 27, 2023.
Metro-North ridership hits all time high, but LIRR still busiest
Ridership increased significantly on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad in 2015, giving a significant boost to the economic health of the regions they serve, said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
LACMTA names TBM for Crenshaw/LAX line; pre-revenue testing begins on Gold Line Foothill Extension
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) named the Crenshaw/LAX Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) Harriet, after Harriet Tubman, the former slave and key player in the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape the south for the north.
MBTA dedicates new South Acton Station
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) joined the federal, state and local public officials and neighbors in South Acton, Mass., on January 30, to celebrate the recent opening of the New South Acton Commuter Rail Station.
Connecticut bond commission approves funds for Metro-North yard
Connecticut has allocated $17.5 million in state funding for the design, engineering and construction of a new rail yard on the Metro-North Railroad Danbury Branch Line in Norwalk. The funding comes under Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy “Let’s Go CT!” initiative, which is making investments to upgrade and modernize the state’s transportation system.
SEDA-COG JRA partners with Columbia County on flood protection project
The Susquehanna Economic Development Association-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority (JRA) in Pennsylvania has partnered with the Columbia County Commissioners on recently completed trackwork to support the Bloomsburg Flood Protection Project.
SEPTA celebrates new West Terminal at 69th Transportation Center
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officially opened the new West Terminal at 69th Street Transportation Center at a ribbon cutting ceremony Jan. 29.
MTC awards $447 million to Bay Area transit systems for improvements
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in Oakland, Calif., has allocated $494 million to help more than 20 San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies replace or rehabilitate aging buses, ferries, rail cars, tracks and bridges; update safety, control and communications systems; install new fare-collection equipment;
MnDOT suspends Zip Rail work; awards study to private company
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has suspended its work on the proposed high-speed rail line project, Zip Rail, between the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Rochester, Minn., pending action by the Olmsted County Regional Railroad Authority next week.
Final major contract for East Side Access project awarded
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved the final major contract for the East Side Access project, which will build and finish four platforms and eight tracks for the new Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) terminal.
Norfolk Southern 2016 capex reflects strategic focus toward streamlined railroad
Norfolk Southern has a planned capital improvement budget of $2.1 billion in 2016, which is $300 million less than its record $2.4 billion capital plan in 2015.
BNSF plans $4.3 billion 2016 capital plan
BNSF Railway released plans for a $4.3 billion 2016 capital expenditure program focuses on helping to ensure the company continues to operate a safe and reliable network this year and beyond.
NS lays out plan to reduce costs, drive profitability and accelerate growth
Norfolk Southern has made a strategic plan designed to streamline operations and drive profitability and growth. The railroad’s projected expense reduction and disciplined cost control initiatives are in the categories of compensation and benefits, purchased services and rents, materials and fuel.
Phoenix light-rail extensions accelerate with T2050 implementation
Valley Metro Rail‘s major north-south rail connection could be in service as soon as 2023 as Phoenix takes its first official steps to implement Transportation 2050 (T2050), a 35-year, multi-modal transportation plan approved by Phoenix voters in August 2015.
Sound Transit to open University Link extension in mid-March
Sound Transit‘s University Link light-rail extension will open to passenger service on March 19, six months ahead of schedule and more than $150 million under budget.
CP appoints Matthew Paull to board; Paul Hilal resigns
Canadian Pacific has appointed Matthew Paull to the CP Board of Directors effective immediately, replacing Paul Hilal, who has resigned from the board.