FRA pulls funding plug on California HSR
For all intents and purposes, California’s high-speed rail project is dead. At least that’s the consensus among several observers of the U.S. high-speed rail scene, which, sadly, appears to be based more
Pittsburgh and Norfolk Southern spar over maintenance; Politician seeks investigation
A Pittsburg politician has suggested that Norfolk Southern fails to follow up when its own inspections show damage to tracks or bridges.
FRA raises concerns about costs of proposed Ann Arbor Amtrak station
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has raised concerns about the possible cost of a new Amtrak station that would be located in Ann Arbor, Mich., according to local news reports.
Capitol Corridor authority elects two to serve as new board leaders
The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board of Directors elected Rebecca Saltzman as chair and Don Saylor as vice chair.
Feds subpoena Honolulu rail agency
Federal authorities have issued a subpoena seeking documents related to the ongoing construction of a light-rail line in Honolulu, after a local politician implied that fraud has taken place.
Former head of MTA Capital Construction to helm NYU Innovations Hub
Hoping to improve safety and efficiency in the construction industry, New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering has created the Institute of Design and Construction (IDC) Innovations Hub and selected railroad construction veteran
BNSF 2019 capex: Up 5% to $3.57 billion
BNSF Railway will invest $3.57 billion in capital in 2019—a 5% increase from 2018—toward “maintaining and expanding its network with an unwavering focus on operating a safe railroad that meets customers’ demands.”
HNTB appoints Tyson to serve as transit, rail consultant in Texas
HNTB Corporation has appointed Cheryle Tyson to serve as a national transit/rail consultant based in the firm’s Plano, Texas, office, located about 20 miles north of Downtown Dallas.
NRC’s Bell to lead association
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) and Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell (CCH) announced today that Matt Bell will take the helm of the association.
Honolulu councilwoman seeks audit of rail project
Suggesting that fraud may be the cause of cost overruns, City Council newcomer Heidi Tsuneyoshi is demanding a forensic audit of contracts tied to a plan to build a transit system for
RTA eyes 9 Chicago projects, Metra ticket office to close
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the agency that oversees the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Suburban Bus and Pace ADA-Paratransit, is requesting public feedback regarding nine Chicago-area projects being proposed
California governor nixes SF-LA high-speed train
Gov. Gavin Newsom, citing budget pressures, says the state will not move forward with plans to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by a high-speed rail link.
Buffalo’s Metro Rail could get new, long-term funding for maintenance
New York State legislators are eyeing a plan to set aside $100 million to fund maintenance work in Buffalo’s light-rail system.
FRA issues more than $56M in CRISI grant funding
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week announced the availability of $56,933,567 in grant funding for 18 projects in 16 states.
Norfolk Southern operating ratio targeted at 60 percent; Job cuts planned
Norfolk Southern plans to hold its capital expenditures between 16 percent and 18 percent of revenues through 2021, as the railroad targets an operating ratio of 60 percent by that year.
TKDA selects Lechowicz as Chicago office group manager
Engineering and architecture firm TKDA has appointed Eric Lechowicz as group manager for the firm’s rail architecture team based in its Chicago office.
Construction, maintenance projects to close San Diego rail corridor this weekend
A series of track building and maintenance programs in the San Diego area will cause major headaches this weekend for four railroads when all train traffic is suspended on the San Diego
CSX annual report yields new details on capital spending
CSX has filed its annual report with securities regulators, and the document contains some items of interest to railroad contractors and vendors.
VHB lands contract for environmental review of proposed Brooklyn Queens Connector
A proposal to build the Brooklyn Queens Connector, a streetcar line linking the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, took a step toward reality today as the city’s Economic Development
Stantec adds two to transportation team
Global design and engineering firm Stantec recently added two senior executives to its transportation team.