Tentative agreement ends BART strike

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and its two largest unions reached a tentative agreement on labor contracts October 21, which will be presented to employees for a ratification vote.

CTA’s proposed budget continues capital investment push

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Forrest Claypool proposed a balanced $1.38 billion budget that maintains transit service and holds the line on customer fares, while continuing investment in projects and programs to improve service and modernize regional transit.

Canadian transport minister discusses strengthening safety with the Advisory Council on Railway Safety

Canadian Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt discussed the critical role of the railway industry as the government strengthens railway safety standards with the Advisory Council on Railway Safety.

KCS production gangs complete maintenance work injury free

From June to September, Kansas City Southern‘s U.S. production gangs installed more than 150,000 crossties, 2,450 switch ties and renewed 94 road crossings between Spiro, Okla., and De Queen, Ark., on the Heavener and Shreveport Subdivisions.

HDR names Lipkus managing director for Canadian operations

HDR Corporation hired Stephen Lipkus, P.E., as managing director for Canada, responsible for overseeing and growing HDR’s Canadian operations in transportation, natural resources and water.

CTA Red Line South project complete, full line to reopen this weekend

Chicago Transportation Authority‘s (CTA) Red Line South project is now complete and the line running from Cermak-Chinatown and 95th Street will reopen on schedule Sunday, October 20.

NYCT breaks ground on new Staten Island Railway station

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) new Staten Island Railway station broke ground October 18, which will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant and replace the existing Atlantic and Nassau Stations in the Tottenville section of the borough.

BART workers on strike, Crunican issues statement

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) General Manager Grace Crunican issued a statement after no deal was reached in labor negotiations between BART and its two largest unions October 17.

Cincinnati Streetcar places first rail

In Ohio, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr., Project Executive John Deatrick and more than 70 supporters gathered on Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine to see the first rail placed in the ground for the construction of the city’s streetcar project.

VIA Rail awards construction contracts for Heritage Station

VIA Rail Canada has confirmed CA$3.5 million (US$3.4 million) in contracts to Winnipeg-based companies for renovations to its Heritage station in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

RailComm provides yard system in Texas

RailComm has been selected by a North American energy company to provide a wireless remote control yard system for its facility located in Pasadena, Texas.

South Carolina Ports Authority Oks additional funding for Inland Port completion

To facilitate completion of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SPCA) inland port terminal in Greer, S.C., the board approved $2.7 million in funding to cover unforeseen weather and topography challenges from site construction. Previously, the board approved $41.2 million for the project as part of a $1.3-billion 10-year SCPA capital plan for new and existing port facilities.

Florida commits $35 million to three port projects

Florida has made a commitment of nearly $35 million for strategic port projects across the state that will be recommended for the upcoming legislative session.The additional investments will be included in the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Work Program.

Watco names GMs to two shortlines

Watco Transportation Services named Jimmy Patterson general manager for the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (KO). The former manager, Brad Hayes, will be managing the company’s Tampa, Colo., terminal location.

Massachusetts awards South Coast Rail community grants

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) awarded 17 technical assistance grants to implement smart growth principles of the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan.

Agreements between Amtrak, 19 states push rail improvements forward

Amtrak and 19 state transportation departments and other entities have negotiated contracts to increase state control and funding of 28 current passenger rail routes.

Crosstie replacement begins along COASTER route

North County Transit District (NCTD) in San Diego, Calif., began a $2 million crosstie replacement project on the coastal rail corridor used for passenger rail service October 7. The project is expected to be completed by November 24.

CTC allocates $167 million to California rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $359 million to 36 projects. The CTC says the funds represent an investment that will create jobs bolstering the state’s economy, reduce traffic congestion, repair highways and bridges and improve rail service.

Confederation Line tunnel construction begins

Tunnel construction for the Confederation Line Light Rail Transit system in Ottawa, ON, Canada, has begun.

CHSRA begins bid process for second phase of construction

After signing the construction contract for the first 29 miles of high-speed rail from Madera to Fresno, Calif., the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) called for contractors to submit their qualifications to bid on the next 60-mile phase of construction from Fresno south to the Tulare-Kern County line near Bakersfield.

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