HNTB adds rail expertise to New York and Pennsylvania offices

HNTB Corporation promoted Jeff Konrad, PE, to vice president of rail in Pennsylvania District. The firm also expanded its team of transportation professionals within its New York and Pennsylvania offices.

BNSF plans $180 million capital plan for Montana

BNSF ‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Montana will be about $180 million, which will be focused on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast.

CSX appoints new engineering leadership

CSX has appointed new engineering leaders following the announcement that John West, vice president-engineering, will retire on April 1 after 37 years of dedicated service to the railroad.

Purple Line Transit Partners selected for LRT project

Purple Line Transit Partners, a consortium of Fluor Enterprises Inc., Meridiam Infrastructure Purple Line, LLC and Star America Purple Line, LLC, was selected as the preferred proponent to design-build, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line project for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

MBTA GLX undergoes re-evaluation

The first in a series of public meetings to consider the future of the proposed Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line Extension (GLX) will be held March 2. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MBTA are currently conducting a re-evaluation of the extension and invite the public to share their ideas about the project.

BNSF plans $100 million capital plan in North Dakota

BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in North Dakota will be more than $100 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network. The largest component of this year’s capital plan in the state will be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast.

SEPTA to host public meetings on King of Prussia Rail Project

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has scheduled three public meetings on the King of Prussia Rail Project.

MBTA updates expense cutting progress

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expects to cut its projected fiscal 2017 operating deficit by 43 percent, the result, it says, of continued reductions in overtime spending and other costs and increases in revenue, such as real estate and advertising. T officials will detail the authority’s improving fiscal status during a meeting of its Fiscal Management and Control Board.

STV names Joseph North to SVP

STV has promoted Joseph North to senior vice president. A rail operations specialist and project manager with 40 years of experience in light rail, commuter rail, bus and paratransit operations, North is responsible for supporting STV’s major projects and developing new business.

BNSF plans $140 million capital plan in Missouri

BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Missouri will be an estimated $140 million and will focus on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network.

USDOT accepting applications for new $800M FASTLANE grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is soliciting applications for a new grant program authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

Sound Transit advances engineering for two light-rail extensions

The Sound Transit Board of Directors has restored Sound Transit 2 funding for preliminary engineering on the Federal Way and Redmond Link extensions, giving staff the green light to move forward with further design on light-rail extensions from Kent/Des Moines to the Federal Way Transit Center and from Overlake to downtown Redmond.

May will see openings of KC Streetcar; Phase 2 of LACMTA Expo Line

In Kansas City, Mo., the KC Streetcar will begin public ridership May 6, 2016. Kansas City Mayor Sly James said the grand opening of the KC Streetcar is more than a celebration of the end of construction and opening of the line.

BNSF to replace 15 miles of rail; 115K ties in Colorado this year

BNSF‘s 2016 capital expenditure program in Colorado will be nearly $100 million, which will be focused on maintenance projects that help ensure BNSF continues to operate a safe and reliable network.

KCS to replace ties, improve crossings along Shreveport Terminal Sub

Kansas City Southern plans to invest approximately $5.6 million in 2016 in construction and improvement projects on its Shreveport Terminal Subdivision in Louisiana. The work will begin on March 8 and continue through March 22, including the installation of approximately 37,000 crossties and improvements to more than 20 public and private grade crossings in Shreveport.

Study says Alberta to Alaska railway for bitumen transport is feasible

A study released by the Van Horne Institute, based at the University of Calgary, suggests that it is feasible to build a railway for the transport of bitumen between Alberta to Alaska. The study was published by the Van Horne Institute with a Project Team including Shirocca Consulting, AECOM, Generating for Seven Generations, the University of Alaska and Michigan Tech Research Institute.

Light rail recommended mode to connect Ann Arbor, University of Michigan

A study evaluating high-capacity transit options for Ann Arbor, Mich., and the University of Michigan found that a light-rail route would be the recommended mode of transport over other alternatives.

BNSF plans six miles of double track, 160k ties for Nebraska this year

BNSF’s 2016 capital expenditure program in Nebraska will be more than $110 million, which will focus on maintenance projects that help BNSF to operate a safe and reliable network.

Study finds Detroit to Grand Rapids passenger rail feasible

The economic benefits and number of passengers anticipated by the Coast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Ridership and Cost Estimate Study justify moving the Detroit to Grand Rapids, Mich., project forward, according to project manager Liz Treutel Callin, transportation policy associate for the Michigan Environmental Council.

Canada’s railways announce new Parliamentary Rail Caucus

The Railway Association of Canada has created a Parliamentary Rail Caucus to be chaired by Sherry Romanado, Liberal Member of Parliament for Longueuil-Charles-LeMoyne, Quebec, and co-chaired by Marilyn Gladu, Conservative Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.

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