Baltimore Red Line Light Rail Project Would Cost $7.2B
BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Red Line Light Rail and Bus project would cost at least $7.2 billion.
Track Worker on Union Pacific Killed While Making Repairs
MCNEIL, Ark. –– Television station KSLA in Shreveport, La. reported that a Union Pacific track worker was killed after being struck by machinery.
Amtrak Completes $5.2M in Upgrades for Columbia River Stations
SEATTLE – The $5.2 million investment went toward ADA-accessibility improvements and other station upgrades.
Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Commuter Rail Industry Challenges and Solutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX) announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine the challenges facing the commuter rail industry.
Metrolink to Pilot Track Intrusion Detection
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
LOS ANGELES –– Southern California’s Metrolink will use a $1.3 million federal grant for the development and demonstration of a track intrusion detection system that it said not only will improve the safety of its riders and crew, but also directly benefit pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and everyone else who interacts with the regional/ commuter rail system.
Atlanta Mayor Dickens Signs Administrative Order No. 2024-01
ATLANTA – After announcing plans for four stations near the Beltline, Mayor Dickens signed an administrative order on April 11th that identifies four locations for said stations.
SANDAG Starts Phase 5 of Del Mar Bluffs Project
DEL MAR, Calif. – A seawall will be constructed at 11th street as part of SANDAG’s project to stabilize the bluffs at Del Mar.
NRC Members Meet with Capitol Hill Lawmakers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 10th, NRC Board of Directors and committee members met with U.S. Senators and Representatives to discuss issues facing the rail industry. The NRC encourages members to register for Railroad Day on the Hill.
LA Metro Releases Final EIS/EIR for Southeast Gateway Line
LOS ANGELES – The LA Metro, along with the FTA, released a final EIS and EIR for the Southeast Gateway Line, formerly known as the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor.
Camp Hall Rail Project Construction Moves Forward in South Carolina
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – Palmetto Railways’ Camp Hall Rail Project continues in 5 phases before completion in spring 2026.
Alaska Railroad Corporation Purchases $137MM in Infrastructure to Replace Passenger Dock
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – To replace a passenger dock and terminal building in Seward, ARRC will purchase $137 million in infrastructure. The dock is expected to open in 2026.
MDOT Maryland Transit Administration Awarded $5M for Patapsco Pedestrian Bridge
BALTIMORE – To provide better access for Cherry Hill, Brooklyn, and Lansdowne residents to public transit, the MDOT MTA was awarded $5 million for the Patapsco Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and trail.
Just For Fun: Union Pacific Announces 4014 Big Boy Westward Bound Tour
OMAHA –– The Union Pacific Railroad has announced the general schedule for its’ summer tour of Big Boy 4014.
CSX Donates $50,000 to Restoration Fund for Key Bridge in Baltimore
JACKSONVILLE: CSX announced this week that it is donating $50,000 to the restoration fund for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Caltrain OCS Fully Energized
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
SAN CARLOS, Calif. ––Caltrain, with partners Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) and Balfour Beatty, have energized and tested the OCS (overhead catenary system) on the entire 51-mile Caltrain Electrification Project between San Francisco and San Jose. The next step is testing the system’s Stadler Rail-built EMUs (electric multiple-units) at maximum operating speed and prepare for electrified revenue service, expected to commence in September 2024.
MTC Announces $30M in Transportation Grants
JACKSON, Miss. – The MTC announced $30 million in grants will be awarded to intermodal transportation projects across the state of Mississippi.
APTA Releases Ridership Trends Report
From Our Colleagues at Railway Age:
WASHINGTON ––After falling to 20% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2020, public transit has recovered to 79% of pre-pandemic levels as of March 2024, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) latest ridership trends report.
Brightline West Selects Atlas Technical Consultants for Geotechnical Engineering
AUSTIN, Texas – For the high-speed rail project scheduled to open in 2028, Brightline West chose Atlas Technical Consultants to handle the engineering and design.
South Coast Rail Construction Almost Complete
TAUNTON, Mass. – Construction on the South Coast Rail project between Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts is nearing completion. Once that occurs, safety testing can begin.
Norfolk Southern Agrees in Principle to Settle East Palestine Derailment Class Action Lawsuit
ATLANTA –– Norfolk Southern Corporation announced Tuesday that it has reached a $600 million agreement in principle to resolve a consolidated class action lawsuit relating to the East Palestine derailment. If approved by the court, the agreement will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius from the derailment and, for those residents who choose to participate, personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius from the derailment.