Amtrak state of good repair backlog tops $33.3 billion
There’s a lot of work to be done on Amtrak. The railroad said its state of good repair backlog (SOGR) has passed $33.3 billion, with $28.1 billion of that on the Northeast
Short Line Safety Institute names new director of research, development
Kim Davies-Schrils is the Short Line Safety Institute’s (SLSI) new director, Research and Organizational Development.
Schaefer new NJT Chief Engineer, Capital Planning
Richard Schaefer, P.E., has joined New Jersey Transit as Chief Engineer in the Capital Planning and Program department.
California sells $600 million in bonds to fund high-speed rail
California sold $600 million in bonds to fund the California high-speed rail project on March 26, as part of a wider $843 million bond sale.
GoTriangle throws in the towel on light rail
The GoTriangle Board of Trustees voted unanimously to halt a planned light-rail system for the Research Triangle of North Carolina, surrendering to opposition from Duke University.
NJT packs ’em in with $800MM in contracting plans
For New Jersey Transit, the days of subsisting on a starvation capital diet imposed by former Gov. Chris Christie appear over. On March 26, the agency hosted an open house for prime
Metra closes another ticketing office due to declining on-site sales
Metra, the commuter rail system serving the Chicago metropolitan area, is closing the ticket office at the Franklin Park Station due to declining on-site ticket sales the station along its Milwaukee District
TTCI publishes annual report outlining research highlights
The Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) issued its annual report, complete with a slew of research findings that are must-reads for folks working in track and structures.
West Lake Corridor, KC Streetcar extensions get green lights from FTA
Two rail extension projects in the Midwest picked up “medium-high” ratings from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) — a designation that makes it likely the federal government will provide funding for construction
Railroad Software Launches FRA Compliant Bridge Inspection Software
Railroad Software has launched bridge inspection software within its TrackAsset application for the electronic capture of bridge inspections for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) compliance.
RTA awards funds to 9 Chicago projects
Nine projects in the Chicago area are recipients of awards through the Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) Community Planning program.
Bridge demolitions begin for MBTA’s Green Line Extension project
Contractors have begun demolishing the first of three bridges in Somerville, MA., that will be rebuilt for the MBTA’s Green Line Extension project (GLX) connecting Boston to nearby towns.
Calabrese joins Focused Technology Solutions
Forty-year transit industry veteran Joe Calabrese is joining Focused Technology Solutions, a division of The Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company, as Senior Advisor, effective April 1.
Seabrook Strauss Bascule Bridge: A bridge repair case study
The Port of New Orleans’ Seabrook Railroad Bridge is a double track Strauss heel trunnion bascule bridge, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The project design and construction presented extraordinary challenges to engineers
Crossties face conflicting pressures
It’s shaping up to be an unusual year in crossties. And for wood crossties in particular, things are looking positively bizarre. “We’re seeing some big peaks and valleys in supply and prices,”
Port Authority of NY-NJ names DeGraffe to serve as head of transit, GM for PATH
Clarelle DeGraffe is the new director of rail transit and general manager of Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH), effective March 25, following a promotion from officials at the Port Authority of New
Midwest floods have maintenance crews scrambling to restore track
Record-setting floods have caused extensive damage to railroad infrastructure across large sections of the Midwest, prompting a surge in construction and repair work.
OLI appoints new coordinators in three states
Rail safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has three new leaders in place for its state programs.
CSX set to break ground on N.C. rail hub next month
Work will soon be underway at the site of CSX’s proposed intermodal rail facility across from North Carolina Wesleyan College, a liberal arts college based in Rocky Mount, N.C.
FTA doles out low rating for Hudson River tunnel project, continues to rule out funding
The $13 billion Hudson River tunnel project, aimed at building a new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, is again facing funding problems after federal authorities announced a rating that