Laura Mohr joins HNTB as rail and transit group director for southern California
Laura Mohr joined HNTB Corporation as vice president and rail and transit group director in one of the firm’s Los Angeles offices.
Metra includes cost cutting strategies in 2016 budget
As part of its efforts to reduce costs and hold the line on spending, $5.7 million in Metra savings and efficiencies will be incorporated into the agency’s 2016 annual budget plan.
SNC-Lavalin names Bruce as president, CEO; Card to retire
SNC-Lavalin has named Neil Bruce president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, succeeding Robert Card, who will retire. Bruce will begin in his new role October 5, 2015.
GAO calls for additional oversight; AAR calls for deadline extension regarding PTC
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the process of Positive Train Control implementation. Bottom line: Most railroads will not meet the deadline.
Feds would pay for half of new Hudson tunnel under Christie-Cuomo proposal
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to President Barack Obama outlining what they call “a viable funding framework to break the logjam over funding for a new trans-Hudson commuter rail tunnel.”
FTA awards funds to planning projects that improve transit access
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded 21 organizations around the country with a share of $19.5 million in grants to support comprehensive planning projects that improve access to public transit.
Public meetings will highlight results of study for proposed NNEIRI passenger service
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will air findings on a study to expand regional intercity passenger rail service at three public meetings to be held in Massachusetts and Vermont in September.
TriMet opens MAX Orange Line
State and federal officials along with project partners celebrated the opening of TriMet’s MAX Orange Line on Sept. 12 with an Inaugural Ride as part of the daylong festivities.
RTD begins A Line testing
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver and its contractor, Denver Transit Partners, began testing trains along the East Rail A Line on Sept. 11 and 12.
MTA’s Prendergast: Time to end games and rebuild transit network
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast is pointing to a Sept. 10 derailment to highlight the need for additional funds to keep the system is a state of good repair.
CTA awarded additional funds for Red and Purple Line improvements
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $1.25 million for its program to modernize the to Red and Purple Lines in an effort to bolster Chicago’s ability to meet growing demand for transit.
New Haven-Springfield stakeholders vow plan for progress
Talks Sept. 10 between Amtrak, Connecticut and federal officials resulted in a pledge to move the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield project forward. However, a plan will not be solidified until the end of the month.
MBTA completes roll in of new bridge
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) successfully rolled a new bridge for the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line into place on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Toronto area’s “missing link” rail bypass proposal moves forward
A study regarding a freight bypass rail line between the Canadian Pacific Line (Milton GO Rail corridor) west of Trafalgar Road in Milton and the Canadian National bypass Line at Bramalea has been endorsed by the Mississauga City Council.
CTA adds signal project to Brown Line modernization project
The Chicago Transit Board approved a contract to begin design work on the Ravenswood Loop Connector Signal Project to replace a 40-year-old signal system on tracks serving the Brown and Purple Line Express between Armitage and Merchandise Mart stations. The modern signal system will enhance CTA’s ability to move trains more efficiently and safely.
NCDOT awards contract for rail connection
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $10.2-million grading contract to C.M. Lindsay & Sons, Inc., to create a new 2.4-mile single-track railroad connection in Robeson County.
HART marks completion of four miles of guideway
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has completed four miles of the system’s elevated guideway. The four-mile mark is along Farrington Highway near Leoku Street in Waipahu.
Rocla to build Florida facility to serve FEC, All Aboard Florida
Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties, has entered in to a long-term supply agreement with All Aboard Florida and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC), which will require the construction of a new facility in Ft. Pierce, Fla.
INRD joins BMWED
The Indiana Rail Road Company‘s 24 maintenance-of-way employees voted to join the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) on Sept. 2.
BART performs maintenance blitz of Transbay Tube
The Transbay Tube has reopened following a labor-intensive weekend for Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Track, Structures, Power, Train Control, Traction Power Engineering and Train Control Engineering teams.