San Clemente Emergency Work: Week One Progress
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – OCTA has begun maintenance work to stabilize the track in San Clemente.
Editor’s Opinion and Commentary –– New York Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Budget Increases to Improve Subway Safety.
ALBANY, N.Y. — I have written before about the challenges of subway safety in New York and elsewhere in the United States. I am a huge fan of public transit, especially rail and light rail, and the safety challenges riders and operators have endured for years have been of great concern to me. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced funding measures to help combat safety issues. The question is, how much good will these investments really do?
Just For Fun –– Union Pacific Unveils Commemorative Lincoln Locomotive No. 1616 with First Trip Planned in May
OMAHA –– Union Pacific has added another locomotive to its Heritage Fleet. The new addition honors the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most consequential presidents of the United States.
Does Your State Need Infrastructure Funds From The Federal Government? If So, USDOT Says You Must Scrap Your DEI Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced recently that states will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure funds unless they follow the Trump administration’s directives regarding cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Stillwater Central Railroad Rebuilds Bridge After Oklahoma Wildfires
CHANDLER, Okla. – In Watco’s newsletter, it documented the Stillwater Central Railroad’s efforts to rebuild a rail bridge after it sustained damage from a wildfire on March 14th.
Amtrak Issues Statement on East River Tunnels Project
NEW YORK CITY – Amtrak President Roger Harris issued a statement on the East River Tunnels project.
FRA Issues Safety Advisory 2025-01 for Proper Configuration of Grand Master 4000 and 4000A Switch Machines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Safety Advisory was issued to increase awareness of the potential for “unintended movement” of the machines. If improperly configured, the machines could allow for the presence of power that would lead to unintended switch movement.
NY Gov. Hochul Calls for Amtrak to Reevaluate its East River Tunnel Construction Plans
ALBANY – In a letter to Anthony Coscia and Roger Harris from Amtrak, New York Governor Hochul urged Amtrak to reevaluate its plans to shut down the East River Tunnels for its rehabilitation project. Instead, Gov. Hochul asked to shift to a ‘repair-in-place’ method.
NJ TRANSIT Completes Lyndhurst Station
LYNDHURST, N.J. – NJ TRANSIT completed construction on the new Lyndhurst Station in New Jersey.
ICC Approves Rail Safety Upgrades Across Counties
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved rail safety upgrades across Rock Island, Henry, and Bureau Counties.
Passenger Service Temporarily Suspended as Crews Work in San Clemente
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service will be suspended for six weeks starting Monday, April 28th. During this six-week closure, crews will work on emergency construction to stabilize the track.
Sound Transit: Back on Track: Extended Shutdown Allowed Crews to Replace 600 Feet of Worn-Out Rail
SEATTLE – From Sound Transit, The Platform details the recent work performed south of International District/Chinatown Station from April 14th – 23rd.
MDOT MTA Purple Line Newsletter Released for April 2025
BALTIMORE – The MDOT MTA released the April 2025 Purple Line Newsletter that contains construction updates in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
CHSRA Completes Whitley Avenue Underpass
KINGS COUNTY, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority announced it has completed the underpass at Whitley Avenue, making it the second high-speed rail structure CHSRA has completed so far in 2025.
Norfolk Southern Must Pay The $600 Million Settlement In 2023 East Palestine Derailment
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –– This week, an Ohio jury decided that Norfolk Southern was responsible for the $600 million settlement agreement with East Palestine residents and that GATX was not liable in the accident.
RTD Lifts D, H, R Line Speed Restrictions; Will Perform Maintenance on A Line Starting April 26th
DENVER – The Regional Transportation District (RTD) announced it has eliminated speed restrictions on its D, H, and R lines and will complete important maintenance work on the A Line between Denver Airport and Union Stations from April 26th to May 8th.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert Wants DOGE To Scrap Funding For Proposed Rail Service On Colorado’s Front Range
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Laura Boebert, a Republican Congresswoman who represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, wants DOGE to scrap plans and funding for proposed rail service along her state’s Front Range.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Says Revised Scope of NJ Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project Will Reduce Funding Need By $140 million
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy announced this week that Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration have adopted a revised scope for a planned rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge over the Passaic River in New Jersey. The reduced funding is purported to save taxpayers $140 million.
Mount Vernon Railroad and Southwest Indiana Creating ‘Mega Modal’ Opportunity
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. –– Indiana state and local officials this week opened what they term a “Mega Modal” opportunity at the Ports of Indiana – Mount Vernon with the addition of the Mount Vernon Railroad.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Unveils $7B Funding Plan for Rail and Public Transit Projects
RICHMOND, Va. –– Amidst the uncertainty surrounding potential federal spending cuts, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has just unveiled a draft improvement plan totaling approximately $7 billion dollars over six years.