CTA publishes Red Line extension Draft EIS
The Chicago Transit Authority published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) to 130th Street.
Ready the ballast trains: Railroads prepare for Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm, is making its way to the southeast of the U.S. and is expected to bring torrential rain, damaging wind and potential devastation. The Weather Channel said the storm could strengthen to a Category 5 and is the strongest hurricane to hit Florida’s east coast in 24 years.
Flexovit celebrates facility reopening; hosts Rep. Collins for tour
U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27) toured Flexovit USA Inc.’s Angola, N.Y., manufacturing facility Oct. 5 and met with local officials and industry stakeholders in an event coordinated by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA).
BART looks to tame stray current with power infrastructure overhaul
San Francisco area voters will decide the fate of Measure RR, a $3.5-billion ballot initiative, in November that would fund upgrades to Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) aging systems.
EDA grants to fund rail projects in Illinois, South Dakota
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $5.1 million to two rail projects in Illinois and South Dakota.
Rep. Thornberry visits Rocla Concrete Tie
U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX-13) visited Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., in Amarillo, Texas, for a tour of the supplier’s facility on Oct. 3.
Sec. Foxx tours federally funded Maine rail projects
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx joined Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for a tour of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and the Port of Portland on Oct. 3.
WMATA seeks public input on new schedule to boost maintenance time
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is requesting public input on proposed changes to its hours of operation in response to federal directives and to provide adequate time for maintenance to ensure the system’s safety.
Maser Consulting hires new lead for rail engineering services division
National engineering firm Maser Consulting P.A. (MC) has hired Francis J. Miller, III, P.E., to lead its rail engineering service division.
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund receives reauthorization
New Jersey officials announced an agreement on Sept. 30, reauthorizing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund at $2 billion a year for the next eight years.
Majority of elected officials support legislation to make 45G tax credit permanent
Legislation that would make the shortline tax credit, also referred to as 45G, permanent, has reached a milestone in its quest for cosponsors.
Light-rail to Virginia Beach expected to cost $243 million
Extending light-rail to Virginia Beach Town Center from Newtown Road, Va., could total $243.1 million in capital costs, transit officials say.
Metra uses GPS and signal data to revise BNSF Line schedule
Metra, a commuter railroad that serves the Chicago suburbs, today announced a revised schedule for its BNSF Line schedule that is set to go into effect Oct. 9.
Florida East Coast Railway wins 2016 Quest for Quality award
Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) has been named the highest valued rail service provider in the U.S. by Logistics Management magazine, winning the magazine’s 2016 Quest for Quality award.
Union Pacific’s ‘Living Legend’ to take first multi-state trip since restoration
The “Living Legend,” Union Pacific’s (UP) No. 844 steam locomotive, is set to celebrate the Oct. 22 opening of Big River Crossing in Memphis, Tennessee, by traveling more than 1,200 miles one-way.
Suppliers to Congress: STB shooting first, asking questions later
The industry groundswell attacking the Surface Transportation Board’s pending actions on forced access and commodity reregulation has grown to include the railway supply community, including the three principal trade associations (REMSA, RSI and RSSI) and numerous members, and the railway contracting community, led by the NRC.
STB adopts final arbitration rules
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) today announced its adoption of final rules to revise its arbitration methods in compliance with the requirements outlined in the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015, P.L. 114-110 (2015) (Act).
Mid-Coast Contractors to build Mid-Coast Trolley with $921.8 million contract
The San Diego Association of Governments awarded Mid-Coast Contractors a $921.8 million construction manager/general contractor contract to build the Mid-Coast Trolley, construction and development firm Skanska announced today.
South Shore Line expansion moves on to project development phase
U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky announced this week that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given the West Lake Corridor (WLC) extension of the South Shore Line (SSL) expansion the green light to move into the project development phase.
Foothill Gold Line’s conceptual engineering plans up for review
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority’s board of directors approved advanced conceptual engineering (ACE) plans for the Foothill Gold Line light-rail project from Glendora to Montclair, Calif.