Three teams shortlisted for Hurontario LRT project
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have shortlisted three teams to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
MBTA holds groundbreaking ceremony for new Blue Hill Avenue station
Officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on June 5 to celebrate the construction of the new Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Blue Hill Avenue station.
Port of Vancouver USA close to wrapping up decade-long rail program
The Port of Vancouver USA has begun work on the final two projects in its decade-long initiative to bolster growth by investing in freight rail infrastructure.
ConnDOT to begin interlocking, dockyard projects in October
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) will begin two interlocking and dockyard projects in October rather than July to accommodate planned activities associated with the projects.
VHB promotes McElligott to SVP, national transportation agencies market leader
VHB promoted Steve McElligott to senior vice president and national transportation agencies market leader. In his new roles, McElligott is responsible for prioritizing, developing and implementing the strategic framework for the firm’s growing transportation practice.
Union Pacific capital plan includes $34.1-million investment in Idaho rail infrastructure
As a part of its $3.1-billion capital plan for 2017, Union Pacific says it will boost safety and efficiency in Idaho with a $34.1-million investment.
Michael Baker promotes Don Sepulveda
Don Sepulveda has been promoted to vice president and deputy national market lead in the Railroad and Transit Practice for Michael Baker International’s West region.
Union Pacific to invest $36 million in Colorado rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $36 million into its Colorado infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.
LACMTA TBM for Regional Connector Project breaks through
Four months after its launch in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the underground wall of the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station.
Canada commits funds to Toronto Relief Line
The government of Canada pledged CA$27 million (US$19.54 million) toward Toronto’s planned Relief Line, but the city’s Mayor John Tory requested a provincial financial commitment to secure the project’s future.
Maryland takes steps to slow Purple Line progress
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn has ordered a suspension of new contracts, hiring and non-essential procurements for the Purple Line project citing recent litigation.
FRA, FTA award $197 million in grants for PTC on passenger rail
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $197 million in grants last week to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads implement Positive Train Control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Union Pacific continues PTC progress
Union Pacific (UP) continues its efforts to implement positive train control (PTC). The Class 1 released a progress report citing its accomplishments in the first quarter of 2017.
WMATA resumes normal rush-hour service after SafeTrack, continues preventative maintenance
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.
Caltrain to use $21 million federal grant for PTC systems
Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.
Caltrain will use the grant to fund improvements to the PTC system that will enable operations south of San Jose on Union Pacific dispatch territory. The PTC solution Caltrain already has in progress is a Communications-Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS). The grants under this program will be used to install PTC technology, including back office systems and wayside, communications, and onboard hardware equipment associated with railroads’ PTC systems.
“PTC is vitally necessary given how many people ride Caltrain every day,” said Caltrain General Manager & CEO Jim Hartnett. “This funding will ensure that our riders will continue to get to their destinations safely and securely.”
Cleveland RTA breaks ground on new Campus Station
Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.
LA Metro approves $6.1B budget
The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the agency’s $6.1 billion budget for fiscal 2018.
The balanced budget increases spending by 1.4 percent over fiscal 2017.
GWI completes acquisition of Heart of Georgia Railroad
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., completed its acquisition of the shares of Atlantic Western Transportation, Inc., parent company of Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc. (HOG).
Union Pacific to invest $85 million in Illinois rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.
Amtrak speeds Penn Station infrastructure renewal with schedule changes
Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.