South Coast Rail will incorporate “Middleborough Route”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is planning to construct the South Coast Rail project in two phases, beginning with the Middleborough Route.
Union Pacific plans increase in NW Iowa track speeds; consolidates Pocatello unit management
Union Pacific will increase the maximum track speed limit from 40 to 49 mph on the rail line paralleling Highway 60 in northwest Iowa next month.
CTC allocates $60 million to California rail projects
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $217 million to 72 projects in the state including more than $60 million for state rail projects.
Work begins on first three stations of $72-million MTA station modernization project
Work begins this month on the first group of stations that are part of the ongoing Enhanced Station Initiative (ESI) to create new and improved subway stations throughout New York. The R line stations, along 4th Ave. in Brooklyn, will close in both directions for renovations.
2016 had lowest accident rate on record, says FRA
U.S. railroads had the lowest train accident rate on record in 2016, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Arrival of BART brings “real transit options” to Warm Springs innovation district
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced its arrival to the Warm Springs South Fremont Innovation District.
Portageville Bridge construction begins
Bridge engineering firm Modjeski and Masters announced the start of steel construction on the main arch span of the Portageville Bridge across the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park in Portageville, New York.
New Burbank overpass eliminates street level rail crossing
A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for a project that elevated two miles of Metrolink, Amtrak and freight tracks in Burbank, Calif. eliminating a street level crossing at Buena Vista Street and San Fernando Road.
Ray-Mont Logistics to add facility at Port of Prince Rupert
The Port of Prince Rupert announced an expansion project for containerized cargo on Ridley Island that will help crops from the Canadian agricultural industry reach international markets while expanding intermodal logistics capacities at the Port of Prince Rupert.
Metra begins second round of railcar rehab program
Metra has started the next round of its in-house railcar rehabilitation program, where Metra workers with decades of know-how and experience transform old railcars to like-new condition at the agency’s 49th Street Car Shop.
TriMet MAX switch machine improvements scheduled to start at end of month
TriMet will kick off a switch renewal and replacement project to improve MAX on-time performance and operation of trains. This will be the first in a series of switch machine upgrades to be completed this year. The project will begin late-night Saturday, March 25 and will require service adjustments early Sunday morning, March 26.
2017 Norfolk Southern safety train to stop in 23 cities
Norfolk Southern’s safety train will stop in 23 cities during 2017 as part of its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, which provides first responders with free training on how to respond to a railroad incident.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. names Robert C. VanderClute as chair
The Operation Lifesaver, Inc., (OLI) Board of Directors named Robert C. VanderClute as chair, following the recent resignation of previous OLI board chair William “Bill” Barringer.
BROWZ launched new SAAS aimed to help shortline rails reach FRA Part 219 compliance
BROWZ announced the launch of a new software service to assist shortline railroads and their contractors to become compliant and maintain compliance with new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Part 219 requirements.
Sound Transit marks first anniversary for U Link, light-rail ridership increases
Sound Transit launched light-rail service to Capitol Hill and Husky Stadium, contributing to an 89-percent growth in average weekday ridership on Link from February 2016 to February 2017.
MTA seeks to accelerate Canarsie Tunnel rehabilitation, completing work in 15 months
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) seeks board approval this week to award a contract to accelerate the rehabilitation of the L train’s Canarsie Tunnel under the East River.
MBTA releases draft request for proposal regarding Green Line Extension Project
The Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority (MBTA) has release a draft Request for Proposal regarding its Green Line Extension (GLX). The draft includes an affordability limit of $1.319 billion, base scope of work and additive options.
Passenger advocates skewer Trump’s proposed budget; USDOT not ruffled
Passenger rail advocates called out the Trump Administration’s proposed budget for perceived hypocrisy and undermining the voters who put him in office while the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) response was more moderate.
Alternative Concepts, Inc. continues service for Valley Metro Rail
The Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors has approved a base five-year contract with Alternate Concepts, Inc. (ACI), to provide rail transportation services for the 26-mile system in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Ariz.
HNTB promotes Rob Troup, welcomes Mark Niles
HNTB Corporation has promoted Rob Troup to transit and rail market sector leader for the Northeast Division. The company has also added Mark Niles as senior project manager and associate vice president, based in Washington, D.C.