New York state has $26.5 million available for rail and port grants
New York state has $26.5 million in funds available for rail and port projects as part of the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program.
TriMet names interim GM
The TriMet Board of Directors has named Shelley Devine, the transit agency’s current general counsel, as its new interim general manager.
Rinaldi named Metro-North President
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has appointed Catherine Rinaldi as the sixth President of MTA Metro-North Railroad, the first woman to serve in that capacity.
Siemens to provide substations for Sound Transit expansions
Siemens will provide the power infrastructure for the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) light-rail system’s latest expansion, officials announced.
BNSF to spend $260 million in Illinois, Oklahoma this year
BNSF plans to invest $260 million in its Illinois and Oklahoma network as part of its $3.3 billion 2018 capital plan.
Canadian railway accidents up per TSB preliminary numbers
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its preliminary transportation occurrence statistics for 2017. Total railway incidents were up, but still in line with five-year averages.
Quebec transshipment center awarded government funds
A project to develop a railroad transshipment center at the regional industrial park in Saint-Tite, Quebec has been awarded funds from the Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
HNTB names Pizzurro transit and rail practice leader for NY/NJ
HNTB has named Joseph Pizzurro, PE, as its new transit and rail practice leader.
NCRR, High Point partner on rail improvements
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and the city of High Point, N.C., are tackling $5.1 million in improvements to the railroad corridor and drainage in the city’s downtown.
House T&I Committee holds PTC hearing
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on Feb. 15 examining the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
Unexpected rail wear is cause for Baltimore subway shutdown
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is explaining the reason behind its extended shutdown of its SubwayLink system for rail repair work.
Stantec named lead engineer for LIRR modernization project
Stantec will serve as the lead engineer on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) expansion project that will revamp the railroad’s Main Line.
NJ Transit Board approves Corbett as executive director
Kevin Corbett will serve as the next executive director for New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors supporting the appointment.
Energy storage system to be built for Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Ontario is partnering with Toronto Hydro to build an energy storage system to provide back-up power to the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) line.
NTSB issues three safety recs following LIRR, CSX/Amtrak incidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued three urgent safety recommendations, two to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and one to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) based on the agency’s findings in two ongoing railroad accident investigations.
NJ Transit approves Hudson-Bergen expansion environmental review
The New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to approve a proposed alignment of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s (HBLR) upcoming expansion into Bergen County as outlined in its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement from March 2017.
BNSF to spend $375 million on Texas capital program
BNSF plans to spend more than 11 percent of its total capital program in Texas this year, with nearly half of the $375 million state plan going toward maintenance projects.
FRA has $73M available in rail safety grants
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting grant applications for projects that will strengthen rail safety efforts through the implementation of positive train control (PTC), crossing improvements and congestion mitigation.
Thelma Drake next Federal Transit Administrator
The White House announced late on Feb. 13 that President Donald Trump intends to nominate former Virginia Republican Congresswoman Thelma Drake to be Federal Transit Administrator.
FTA lowers rating for Gateway tunnels
A revision by the Federal Transit Administration lowering the priority rating for the proposed Gateway rail tunnels could endanger funding for the project linking New York and New Jersey.