• April 09, 2015
• Commuter/Regional

MBTA special panel calls for Fiscal Control Board to help fix “management failures”

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s special panel tasked with reviewing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) functions and practices outlined a plan of action to reform and improve the authority. The panel’s recommendations include creating a five-member Fiscal and Management Control Board, as well as the creation of one, five and 20 year spending plans after the group “uncovered massive structural and management failures that are on pace to bankrupt the system if left unchecked.”

• April 09, 2015
• Class 1

KCS to invest $19 million in Beaumont to DeQuincy line

Kansas City Southern (KCS) will invest approximately $19 million in 2015 on construction and improvement projects on its Beaumont Subdivision line, which runs from Beaumont, Texas, to DeQuincy, La. The railroad says these projects will help grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on the KCS cross-border network.

• April 09, 2015
• Ballast, Ties, Rail

MBTA, Keolis to begin tie replacement project

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Keolis Commuter Services will begin the first of several railroad tie replacement projects on the Lowell and Haverhill lines, part of a $100-million investment in infrastructure improvements for both lines that the MBTA says will increase passenger comfort and reliability.

• April 08, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

Expo Light Rail Line begins testing

In California, clearance testing for the second phase of the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority’s Expo Line light-rail project began April 6 with a train running under its own power running west from Culver City. This is the first time a light-rail vehicle has crossed the new bridge over Venice Boulevard.

• April 08, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

Sound Transit, Bellevue set to finalize details of East Link partnership

Sound Transit and city of Bellevue leaders proposed an agreement to move ahead with construction of the voter-approved East Link Extension in a way that minimizes construction impacts, commits the city’s financial contribution to a downtown tunnel and promotes the city’s Bel-Red Corridor land use vision.

• April 07, 2015
• Intercity

INDOT, FRA move forward on accountability agreement for Amtrak Hoosier State Line

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reached an understanding of the clear lines of accountability for passenger rail safety and accessibility between Indianapolis, Ind., and Chicago, Ill., allowing Indiana to implement long-term improvements to the daily service.

• April 07, 2015
• Yards & Terminals

Watco promotes one, hires another

Watco Terminal and Port Services has named Albert Perez II terminal manager at the Linden, N.J., location. In this role, Perez will be responsible for maintaining high-quality customer service, ensuring targeted profitability and supporting the overall attainment of expected performance goals. He will also coach his team and driving safety and operational efficiencies.

• April 07, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

HRT supports Stand up 4 Transportation

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will host a special event April 9 with a coalition of business and political leaders to highlight the urgent need for Congress to approve long-term funding critical for Hampton Roads’ transportation infrastructure.

• April 06, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

USDOT makes $500 million available for next round of TIGER

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is making $500 million available for the seventh round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.

• April 06, 2015
• Ballast, Ties, Rail

UP receives delivery of “game changing” long rail

Union Pacific began receiving 480-foot-long rail sections from Japan, which culminates a project more than a decade in the making and according to the railroad, sets a new standard for rail reliability.

• April 06, 2015
• Commuter/Regional

Testing begins on RTD East Rail Line

The Regional Transportation District of Denver’s (RTD) first two commuter rail cars rolled onto the East Rail Line for their first trip from Union Station to Denver International Airport April 3. The rail cars were pulled along the new tracks from Union Station along the 23 mile-long route at a pace of roughly 10 miles per hour. This kicks off a year-long schedule of testing and commissioning prior to opening day in 2016.

• April 06, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

CTA to progress next phase of Ravenswood Connector project

This month, the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) will begin the next phase of a major project to rehabilitate the Ravenswood Connector, the elevated rail structure that carries Brown and Purple Line Express trains between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.

• April 06, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

FEIS issued for Sound Transit’s Lynnwood light-rail extension

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration have issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the voter-approved Lynnwood Link light-rail extension from Northgate to Lynnwood.

• April 02, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

BART opens Contra Costa Crossover

In northern California, a new set of crossover tracks is now in use on the busy Pittsburg/Bay Point Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line, bringing capacity relief to riders and greater ability to get around delays.

• April 02, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

New Tri-Rail Miami International Airport Station opens April 5

In southern Florida, Tri-Rail‘s new Miami Airport Station (MIA) will open April 5, as part of the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC).

• April 02, 2015
• Intercity

Canada extends Ontario passenger rail funding for three years

The Canadian government has decided to provide CA$5.3 million (US$4.2 million) over three years for the continued operation of the passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, ON.

• April 01, 2015
• OFF Track Maintenance

Holland acquires The Bankhead Companies

Holland LP has acquired the operating assets of The Bankhead Companies, based in Atlanta, Ga.

• April 01, 2015
• ON Track Maintenance

NJDOT grants more than $20 million for rail projects

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), through its Rail Freight Assistance Program, doled out more than $20 million in grants for rail improvement projects throughout the state.

• April 01, 2015
• Rapid Transit/Light Rail

MARTA seeks public input on major transit expansion project

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold three public meetings in April for Connect 400, a major transit expansion project that is advancing to the next phase of planning under the federal environmental review process.

• March 31, 2015
• Ballast, Ties, Rail

IntegriCo expands operations into Louisiana

IntegriCo Composites plans to open its new manufacturing facility in Springill, La., July 2015. Engineering and equipment installation is underway today and is being managed by the Southland Process group out of Atlanta, Ga.