BART performs maintenance blitz of Transbay Tube

The Transbay Tube has reopened following a labor-intensive weekend for Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Track, Structures, Power, Train Control, Traction Power Engineering and Train Control Engineering teams.

NYCT completes Queens Boulevard express track upgrade

Work to install new tracks and infrastructure have been completed on the express tracks of New York City Transit (NYCT) Queens Boulevard Line and the local tracks of the Lexington Avenue Line in lower Manhattan.

DEIS for Tucson to Phoenix passenger route released

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, has released the Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for ADOT’s Passenger Rail Corridor Study: Tucson to Phoenix.

Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario issue RFQ for Finch West LRT project

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to design, build, finance and maintain the Finch West Light Rail Transit project.

CSX shifts leadership roles as Munoz leaves for United

CSX made a number of senior management changes, effective immediately, including the resignation of Oscar Munoz, who has been named president and chief executive of United Continental Holdings, Inc.

Weston GO Station utilizes ballast mats for vibration protection

Metrolinx installed and modernized its track throughout the Weston GO Station in York, ON, Canada, as part of the Georgetown South Project (GTS).

NCRR adds economic development, engineering and communications staff

The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) welcomed three new members to its team.

TNW Corporation makes managerial appointments

TNW Corporation (TNW), operator of shortline railways and logistics centers, has hired three and promoted one to managerial roles.

Gary Smith joins Stantec’s freight rail group

Gary Smith has been named rail sector lead for Stantec’s freight rail team, accountable for growing Stantec’s freight and commuter rail services throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Metra chooses Parsons for PTC

Parsons has been selected by Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail operator, to install Positive Train Control (PTC) on its trains.

SCVTA Montague Station reopens

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Montague Light Rail Station in Milpitas has reopened after being closed for five months to allow for modifications to the station for a new pedestrian bridge that will provide a convenient and direct connection between the future Milpitas Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station and the Montague Light Rail Station.

UP names new VP and AVP of public affairs

Union Pacific promoted Wes Lujan to vice president public affairs for the western region and Liisa Stark to assistant vice president public affairs for Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin; both appointments are effective October 1.

NMC Railway Systems hosts Rep. Ashford for tour, discussion

Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE-2) joined representatives from NMC Railway Systems for a tour of the company’s Omaha facility and discussion of public policy priorities for the local business and rail communities.

WMATA submits audit report to FTA

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) submitted the results of its Federal Year 2014 Audit to the Federal Transit Administration.

Ground breaks on Permian Rail Park in Texas

Twin Eagle Sand Logistics, LLC, a subsidiary of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, has broken ground on the Permian Rail Park located on the Union Pacific, approximately eight miles west of the city of Big Spring, Texas. The 530-acre rail park is Twin Eagle’s fifth terminal development and is centrally located to serve the Eastern side of the Permian Basin.

Metrolink hires Elissa Konove as deputy chief executive officer

Elissa Konove, the chief financial officer at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has been named the deputy chief executive officer at Metrolink, effective September 14.

Sound Transit identifies candidate projects for Sound Transit 3 measure

Following extensive input from the public and local governments across the region, the Sound Transit Board identified the projects that will be studied as potential candidates for a November 2016 Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

Results of studies completed during the coming months will help the board decide which of the projects should be included in a draft ballot measure for more public input early next year. The candidate projects are listed here.

Sound Transit 3 will respond to the strong support across the region for additional mass transit expansions as the region’s population grows by an estimated 1 million residents through 2040. The projected growth is equivalent to adding the current combined populations of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.

In June and July, Sound Transit received thousands of written comments and survey responses on which projects from the regional transit Long-Range Plan represent the highest priorities. A total of 1,025 people submitted written comments at meetings across the region and by e-mail and mail and more than 70 local governments and organizations sent comment letters. The nearly 25,000 people who took a non-scientific online survey more than doubled the response to 2014 public involvement that guided board actions to update the Long-Range Plan.

Public input reflected strong continuing support for priorities including but not limited to extensions of light-rail to Everett, Tacoma and downtown Redmond; light-rail extensions to Seattle’s Ballard and West Seattle areas and an array of other potential investments including additional light-rail extensionsand Sounder commuter rail services and facilities.

Each of the identified candidate projects will be studied to generate estimates of ridership, capital operating and maintenance costs; travel times and reliability; potential for transit-oriented development and other factors including benefits, needs and potential risks.

 

PATCO to enter final stages of Ben Franklin Bridge rehab

Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) will begin the final stages of its 18-month effort to completely rehabilitate the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Rail being installed for LIRR Double Track Project

Workers began installing the first sections of rail on the $388-million Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Double Track Project, which will build a second track over an 18-mile stretch between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma stations.

WMATA derailment report says defect data was deleted; broken fasteners undetected

As part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) investigation into the cause of an August 6 derailment, a technical incident report has been released.

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