Three California commuter rail projects get state funds

The California Transportation Commission allocated $108.7 million to three commuter rail projects that will help ease traffic congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.

LIRR full rush service returns following signal repair

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will operate full morning and evening rush hour service beginning Monday, Dec. 10, as a result of Amtrak restoring the signal system capacity in one of its two flood-damaged East River tunnels.

St. Paul Union Depot restoration completed

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) in St. Paul, Minn., completed the $243-million historic restoration of the 90-year-old Union Depot train station.

Final early works contract for the Evergreen Line awarded

The final early works contract for the Evergreen Line in British Columbia, Canada, has been awarded, which lays the groundwork for major construction and helps to keep the project on track for 2016.

Alton & Southern to expand RailComm system

Alton and Southern Railroad will expand its existing RailComm Yard Control System by adding several new components to the yard.

Santa Clara VTA receives state funding to expand BART facilities

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has voted unanimously to allocate $50 million in state funding to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

Amtrak requests $336 million in emergency funds

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a U.S. Senate committee the New York region needs to strengthen rail capacity and resiliency in order to create “a better ability to resist damage, recover from an event and return the rail system to service” following major disasters.

Canada’s transit ridership continues growth

According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), public transit ridership for the first six months of 2012 showed remarkable growth across Canada, registering an increase of 3.2 percent during the same period a year earlier.

Honolulu city council authorizes FTA grant for rail project

The Honolulu City Council voted eight to one in favor of authorizing the execution of the $1.55-billion Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Honolulu rail project.

Ottawa recommends Rideau Transit Group for light-rail project

In Ottawa, ON, Canada, city staff has recommended that the international consortium known as the Rideau Transit Group be awarded the contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project.

Canadian Pacific outlines vision for future, weighs interest in DM&E west end

Canadian Pacific has outlined the railroad’s go-forward plan for change with plans to improve service, increase efficiency, lower cost and grow the business.

Amtrak/CSX Hudson Line deal to improve service, move projects forward

A long-term lease agreement between CSX Corporation and Amtrak has been made, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

NCDOT awards safety improvement contract

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $10.9-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract to Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh, N.C., for a rail safety improvement project.

Phoenix Valley Metro names chief engineer

Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona has hired Rick Brown as chief engineer/director of design and construction.

VIA Rail readies improvements to locomotives, frequencies and infrastructure

VIA Rail Canada has completed a number of projects, including additional frequencies and the introduction of a new service between Ottawa, ON, and Quebec City, QB.

WMATA studying ways to fight fatigue

On Thursday, Dec. 6, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board Safety and Security Committee will receive an update on fatigue research, including a key finding that recommends a methodical, comprehensive approach to the issue rather than solely considering the number of hours an employee works.

SEPTA names new assistant general manager of EM&C Division

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority promoted Robert Lund Jr., P.E., to assistant general manager of engineering, maintenance and construction.

CP defers Powder River Basin expansion plan

Canadian Pacific will take a fourth quarter pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately CA$180 million (US$181 million) on its option to build into the Powder River Basin (PRB).

Genesee & Wyoming expands role in Utica shale development

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) wholly owned subsidiary, The Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company (CUOH), has signed a long-term agreement to serve the $900-million natural gas liquids (NGLs) fractionation hub being constructed in Scio, Ohio,

light-rail transit

DART opens Blue and Orange rail extensions

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Dallas, Texas, opened two rail segments on Dec. 3, extending the Blue Line to Rowlett and the Orange Line farther into Irving and closer to DFW International Airport.

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