LAN awarded DART platform extension contract
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has awarded a contract to civil engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) to manage the extension of platforms at 28 of its stations.
TSA, Amtrak test bomb detection device at NY Penn Station
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week announced it is partnering with Amtrak to test new security technology aimed at identifying body-worn explosive devices such as suicide vests.
It’s official: Batory sworn in as FRA Administrator
WASHINGTON – Ronald L. Batory officially became the 14th United States Federal Railroad Administrator on Feb. 28, 2018.
HNTB adds Hunter to rail and transit team
HNTB Corporation has brought on Edmond Hunter, CCM, as a senior transit and rail project manager.
GAO: More than half of commuter railroads at risk of missing PTC deadline
A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found as many as two-thirds of commuter railroads required to install positive train control (PTC) by the end of the year have not allocated enough time to accomplish implementation or qualify for an extension.
BNSF eyes $110M Nebraska investment in 2018
BNSF Railway Company plans to invest $110 million in its Nebraska network, where it moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight annually.
Dewberry to serve as LIRR double track project lead designer
Dewberry will serve as the lead designer on a combination design-bid-build and design-build team for the L.K. Comstock & Company, Inc.’s $66 million installation of a second track for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
Metro-North ready to begin three-year track project
Metro-North Railroad will launch an extensive three-year project to transform its White Plains station. The railroad said this work will improve the station’s safety, appearance, cleanliness and accessibility.
NRC makes $15k education grant available
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is accepting applications through May 4, 2018, for a $15,000 grant to be awarded to a rail-focused educational institution.
NY state grant to help build rail siding
State Sen. James L. Seward, representatives from Hoober Feeds and officials from Schoharie County announced a $200,000 state grant Feb. 26 that will pay for improvements to the rail line in Central Bridge, the New York State Senate announced.
South Shore expands railcar storage options
Short line Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) is offering expanded capacity for railcar storage.
Caltrain considers new Wabtec contract for PTC
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board of Directors plans to consider the approval of a contract with Wabtec Railway Electronics, Inc. at its March 1 meeting to complete a federally-mandated safety upgrade to implement positive train control (PTC) along the corridor’s signal system.
LACMTA breaks ground on second section of Purple Line
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) celebrated the groundbreaking Feb. 23 on Section 2 of its forthcoming Purple Line extension project.
GO Transit hydrogen fuel cell train plan “technically feasible,” says study
Toronto and Hamilton transit authority Metrolinx has published the findings of its Hydrail Feasibility Study into the potential use of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) trains on the Go Transit commuter rail network.
D.C.’s SSO Program certified by FTA
The District of Columbia (D.C.) obtained Federal Transit Administration (FTA) certification for its rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program, becoming the fourth state or entity to be certified.
OL Canada aims to reduce train vs. snowmobile accidents
Virtually, all incidents involving winter recreation vehicles and trains can be avoided says Operation Lifesaver’s (OL) Canadian arm, which released a new video campaign addressing the subject.
LIRR to replace ties, crossings on Montauk Branch
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews will work from the end of February through mid-May to replace crossties and install grade crossings.
SCVTA issues Final SEIS/SEIR for second phase of BART extension
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have issued the final state and federal environmental document for SCVTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.
B-256 gets an extended life span
One of the oldest railroad bridges in Wisconsin, a more-than-century-old, 2,200-foot timber structure spanning the Wisconsin River at Spring Green on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad’s (WSOR) Prairie Subdivision, has undergone a a major improvement project. WSOR, a Watco Cos.subsidiary, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) collaborated on the project.
Gates down; truck on tracks says NTSB of Amtrak Virginia accident
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says a refuse truck was on the grade crossing after gates were lowered when it was hit by Special Amtrak Train 923 in Crozet, Va.