Next round of RTD G Line testing to focus on C&S systems
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colo., has resumed testing on its G Line as of today, emphasizing the evaluation of its communication and signaling systems.
Feds: What Gateway agreement?
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.
Smart Sand completes rail expansion at frac sand facility
Smart Sand, Inc. has completed construction of its unit train capable rail facility in Byron Township, Wis., and moved its first unit train via Union Pacific on Dec. 26.
Canada, Ontario commit funds to freight rail study
Federal and provincial funding has been committed toward freight rail analysis of Ontario’s Peterborough-Toronto-Havelock-Blue Mountain corridor.
MTA unveils 19 finalists for Genius Challenge
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released the names of the 19 finalists in three categories as part of “The MTA Genius Transit Challenge.”
Sound Transit applies for $1.17B federal grant
The Sound Transit Board approved submission of an application for a $1.17 billion grant for the Lynnwood Link Extension on Dec. 21, moving toward breaking ground in 2018 and extending light-rail service to Snohomish County residents in 2024.
HSR coming to Illinois
Amtrak should begin high-speed service between Chicago and St. Louis this summer, the result of a $2-billion project that is in the final phase of construction.
HNTB hires Zeyad Alkaisi as senior project manager
HNTB Corporation (HNTB) has brought on Zeyad Alkaisi, CCM, as a rail transit senior project manager and associate vice president.
Sound Transit Board approves Tacoma Dome Link Extension
The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) Board approved the Tacoma Dome Link Extension last week, setting a $125.7 million budget for preliminary engineering for the project.
FECR offers safety training for emergency responders
Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) recently provided training for emergency responders on railway safety issues associated with various equipment used in daily rail operations.
Foote firmly planted at CSX
CSX Corp. on Dec. 22 named James Foote as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Formerly chief operating officer, Foote had been acting CEO since Dec. 14 after E. Hunter Harrison was placed on medical leave.
CP’s 19th annual holiday train celebrates successful tour
Canadian Pacific’s (CP) 19th annual holiday train made another successful tour across North America this year, spreading cheer by raising more than CA$1.5 million (US$1.18 million) and 300,000 pounds of food for local food banks.
USDOT issues first installment of MBTA Green Line extension grant
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.
Jacobs completes acquisition of CH2M
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed the acquisition of CH2M. Jacobs says the move strengthens its position to provide innovative government, infrastructure and industrial professional services.
Holland’s Flaherty retiring
Kevin Flaherty, executive vice president for Maintenance of Way at Holland LP, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 15 years of leadership within the company and 40 years in the industry.
Pandrol adds to senior team
Arnaud Pierrard is joining Pandrol’s senior team in a new position tasked with innovating the company’s manufacturing processes.
Ontario issues bid notice for HSR environmental assessment
Ontario has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) to develop the environmental assessment terms of reference for a portion of its corridor linking Kitchener-Waterloo to London in southwestern Ontario.
IO, Metrolinx award rail tunnel contract; shortlist grade separation teams
Toronto Tunnel Partners (TTP) is the recipient of a contract with Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build and finance the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project for the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program.
FMCB report recognizes MBTA transformation efforts
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has the “groundwork in place for a much better future,” according to the Third Annual Report of the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB).
Keolis, MBTA driving toward drones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, aka, drones) are becoming an important tool in railroad engineering and maintenance. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates regional/commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, is among the latest to adopt the technology.