Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR) and The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) say that the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved BWRR’s application to acquire a passenger railroad franchise previously held by the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railroad Company. The railroad franchise was abandoned in 1935.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) plans to work on three crossings in Salem, Atlantic and Ocean counties in November.
The CEO Search Committee of the Sound Transit Board has identified a candidate who it will interview in executive session on Nov. 18.
TriMet has selected Doug Kelsey as its chief operating officer, where he will lead the agency’s Transportation, Maintenance and Information Technology (IT) divisions, starting Nov. 30. He will also have a dotted-line responsibility for the Safety & Security Division.
He comes to TriMet from TransLink, where he served in many capacities, most recently as president and general manager of its subsidiary British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. Kelsey replaces Robert Nelson, TriMet’s interim deputy general manager who has served in a similar capacity as chief operating officer since July 2013 and plans to retire.
“Doug brings to TriMet more than 16 years experience in the transit industry and he is a welcome and valuable addition to our team,” said General Manager Neil McFarlane. “He will lead our continuing efforts to improve the reliability and quality of our bus and rail service, as well as oversee the expansion of our system to meet the growing demand for transit.”
Kelsey will also provide critical transportation and urban planning leadership and analysis and will have executive management responsibility for the deployment of capital projects once they become operational.
New York City Transit named Veronique Hakim as the eighth permanent president of the agency. Hakim is a career transportation professional who has returned to MTA after an earlier 23-year career at the agency.
Construction on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track project is nearly complete.
Chicago’s Metra has named Hilary Konczal as its first chief safety and environmental officer. The newly created position puts Metra in line with best practices and Federal Transit Administration recommendations and consolidates safety and environmental units under one officer.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) completed both its Wayne Junction Station and 9th Street Station recently.
On Nov. 16, Metrolink started Positive Train Control (PTC) testing on its San Bernardino Line, which covers the cities of El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino.
Testing will be done Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., however, there may be some additional testing during daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday.
SNC-Lavalin realigned its business processes, brands and market strategy to offer a larger portfolio of rail and transit expertise and provide an end-to-end client service offering.
Two freight train derailments during the weekend of November 7 and 8 in Alma and Watertown, Wis., have elected officials calling for advanced rail safety efforts at the state and federal level.
The North Bayshore region in Mountain View, Calif., home to Google and Linkedin, will soon be the subject of a transit study in an effort to figure out how to move an increasing number of employees there in ways other than solo driving.
Elected officials from Florida and Ohio were given tours this week of rail companies operating within their respective states. The events also included public policy discussions surrounding the recent positive train control deadline extension, as well as efforts to extend the shortline tax credit.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) promoted Scott Sauer to assistant general manager of system safety.
New York and New Jersey leaders have reached an agreement on funding commitments and a governance structure that will allow the Gateway Tunnel Project to move forward.
In Chicago, the Metra Board of Directors approved a $945.5-million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.
Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) was awarded a contract from Metrolinx for its GO Transit rail network electrification project. The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the project.
Major repairs to restore the Siskiyou Rail Line in southern Oregon have been completed and stakeholders held a ceremony, Nov. 10, marking the return of freight service, which was halted along 95 miles between Ashland and Weed, Ore., in 2007.
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently signed a $198.5-million contract to overhaul and upgrade its tunnel ventilation system (TVS). This improvement project, which is slated to begin in early 2016, advances the agency’s ongoing commitment to safe and efficient transit operations.
Gradall Industries, Inc., has entered into a business agreement with Kinshofer Crane and Excavator Attachments to make new options available for railways, municipal transit systems and others who purchase Gradall Railway Maintenance Machines.
