Two US transit projects named finalists for “Be Inspired” awards program
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, provider of software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, has released the list of project finalists in the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program.
Metra safety director wins international safety award
Metra Director of Safety Hilary Konczal has been named to the World Safety Organization (WSO) Board of Directors and received the group’s James K. Williams Award for his dedication to programs and practices that promote safety.
Foothill Gold Line LRT reaches substantial completion on Pasadena to Azusa segment
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and its contractor marked the substantial completion of the Pasadena, Calif., to Azusa, Calif., segment. The construction authority said the $1-billion project is on budget and on time with passenger service expected to begin in the spring of 2016.
Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown TBMs to begin westward bore
The Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit tunnel boring machines named Don and Humber will begin their journey westward on September 29, 2015, marking another milestone toward the completion of the new LRT.
APTA: Two-thirds of Americans are likely to use high-speed rail if available
According to a 2015 survey released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), if high-speed rail were available today, two-thirds (63 percent) of Americans are likely to use high-speed trains and this jumps to nearly seventy (67) percent when respondents were informed of the costs and time saving benefits of high-speed rail service.
Rep. McMorris Rodgers tours L.B. Foster concrete tie facility
On September 22, 2015, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) joined Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association and National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association member L.B. Foster Company for a tour of its concrete tie manufacturing facility.
Moorman steps down as executive chairman, NS shifts executive management
Charles Moorman is completing his service as executive chairman of the Board of Directors of Norfolk Southern. Effective Oct. 1, 2015, Moorman will continue to serve as a director and senior advisor to the President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires until Dec. 31, 2015, when he will retire from both roles.
NCDOT awards contract for grade separation project in Charlotte
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has awarded a contract for the Sugar Creek Road grade separation project, which is designed to improve railroad capacity, efficiency and safety along Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte, N.C.
Steps taken at federal level to speed up infrastructure projects
The White House Office of Management and Budget, Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Department of Transportation says the Obama Administration will take steps to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, including an enhanced Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard, new guidance to federal agencies establishing metrics for the permitting and environmental review of infrastructure projects.
MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board’s first report not glowing, but encouraging
In its first report to the legislature, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) detailed underlying problems at the MBTA that are even more serious and deep-seated than reported in April by the Special Panel to Review the authority.
Metra warns of service shutdown without PTC deadline extension
The Metra Board of Directors has formally called on Congress to extend the Dec. 31, 2015 deadline to install Positive Train Control (PTC), agreeing with a staff analysis that in the current regulatory environment, Metra will not be able to legally operate beyond that date.
OKI awards state funds to South Hamilton Crossing grade separation
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) awarded $3.75 million in state funds for the South Hamilton Crossing grade separation project. The funds are part of $7 million in funding for transportation projects in Butler and Hamilton County.
CP, NS complete Delaware & Hudson South sale
Canadian Pacific completed the sale of more than 280 miles of track from Schenectady, N.Y., to Sunbury, Pa., to Norfolk Southern.
Port Miami celebrates completion of dredge and on-dock intermodal project
PortMiami heralded in the “big ship” era with the completion of its -50/-52 ft. Deep Dredge and On-dock Intermodal Rail project.
Sounder celebrates 15 years of service
September 18 marked 15 years of steadily growing ridership since the Puget Sound region’s commuters first climbed aboard Sounder commuter trains. Since Sounder began operating in 2000, more than 29 million people have used the popular commuter and game day service.
Battelle to perform MTA safety assessment
Battelle has been awarded a $3.1-million contract by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to perform an Independent Safety Assessment and safety certification support for the design and implementation of Interoperable Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) on the Queens Boulevard Line in the New York City Transit system.
RailComm plans new product launch for Railway Interchange 2015
RailComm will launch its new smart monitoring and analytics platform, RailComm Insight™, as well as new software and hardware products for yard automation and mainline dispatching at Railway Interchange 2015.
Charlotte LYNX Blue Line Extension receives $180 million TIFIA loan
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina will receive a $180-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for construction of the LYNX Blue Line light-rail extension. The TIFIA loan will support the expansion of the light-rail system from Center City Charlotte to the UNC Charlotte Campus.
Richmond to Raleigh rail project gets federal approval
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the state of North Carolina and the commonwealth of Virginia have signed off on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Richmond to Raleigh (R2R) passenger rail line along the Southeast Corridor. The completion of the FEIS is one of the final steps necessary before construction of the project can move forward once funding is secured.
Las Vegas to L.A. high-speed project gets new partner: China
China Railway International USA CO., LTD. and XpressWest have agreed to form a joint venture that will accelerate the launch of the XpressWest rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nev., to Los Angeles, Calif., (Southwest Rail Network).