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.
BNSF details capital programs for Montana, Missouri and Kansas
BNSF unveiled details of its planned $385 million capital plan across Montana, Missouri and Kansas. The focus of all three state programs will be on maintenance projects.
David Collenette to chair Ontario’s HSR advisory board
Ontario has named David Collenette as the leader of its High Speed Rail (HSR) Planning Advisory Board, officials said.
Senate confirms Batory as FRA Administrator
The Senate by voice vote early Tuesday evening, Feb. 13, confirmed Ronald Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator, the nation’s rail safety watchdog agency.
Sound Transit taps Arnold as new chief customer experience officer
Russell L. Arnold will serve as Sound Transit’s chief customer experience officer, a newly created position at the agency.
Baltimore rail shutting down for a fix up
The Maryland Department of Transportation has determined the entire Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) rail system will remain closed for up to four weeks following an inspection.
Wabtec to supply PTC system to SunRail
Wabtec Corporation has signed a contract valued at about $62 million to implement its positive train control (PTC) technology along the Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC), the operator for the SunRail commuter line.
Acting FRA chief Hall resigns
Heath Hall, the acting administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the nation’s rail safety watchdog, resigned Feb. 11 amid allegations that he was working a second job as a public relations consultant.
CTC awards $96 million to 11 California rail projects
Caltrans released details surrounding $173.4 million in grants awarded to 57 projects by the California Transportation Commission. Out of the pot of funds awarded, $96.4 million will go toward 11 state rail projects.
HNTB names two to tunnel leadership roles
HNTB Corporation has made two new appointments for leadership roles on its national tunnel and underground team.
Small-railroad tax credit in budget bill
The regional and short line railroad investment tax credit (known as 45-G for its provision in the Internal Revenue Code) is poised to be signed into law by President Trump following its unexpected insertion into the massive two-year Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 passed in the predawn hours Friday, Feb. 9, by the House and Senate.
Four firms respond to O’Hare Express RFQ
The Chicago Infrastructure Trust (CIT) has received four responses to its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design-build work and maintenance for the O’Hare Express operating system.
BNSF plans $160M Washington state capital program
BNSF Railway plans to spend $160 million in Washington state during 2018. The state capital plan is part of its larger $3.3 billion 2018 capital plan.
CDPQ Infra awards REM contracts; set construction date
CDPQ Infra said two consortia, Groupe NouvLR and Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais (PMM), won contracts for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project, which will begin construction in April.
Return of Queens commuter rail feasible, but costly
A study conducted by AECOM on behalf of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) finds it feasible that passenger rail service could return to the Lower Montauk Branch rail corridor.
Union Pacific updates Q4 2017 PTC progress
As concerns about the implementation of positive train control (PTC) continue to make headlines, Union Pacific (UP) says it expects to meet all required deadlines for installing PTC on its network.
NTSB says fatigue caused LIRR, NJ Transit accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that two commuter railroad terminal accidents in the New York area were caused by engineer fatigue resulting from undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea.
CTA completes Wilson Station reconstruction project
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has wrapped up the final step in the Wilson Station Reconstruction Project, which revamped a building that was nearly a century old and transformed it into a modern rail station.
MassDOT issues DSEIR for South Coast Rail
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) South Coast Rail (SCR) project is moving forward with a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR).
SANDAG opens new San Diego River rail bridge
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) opened a new rail bridge over the San Diego River to traffic on Monday, Feb. 5.