Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) new train to plane service, “BART to OAK,” which provides an easy connection to Oakland International Airport, will open in time for Thanksgiving travel on November 22, 2014.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is unveiling its three-year capital expenditures program (PTI), in which its investment spending forecasts for 2015-2017, evaluated at nearly CA$2.5 billion (US$2.2 billion), are outlined. These investments are needed to replace or upgrade equipment and infrastructure that have or will reach the end of their service life in the next few years.
The PTI details 46 projects, 12 of which represent 94 percent of investments, for a total of more than CA$2.3 billion (US$2 billion). A number of these projects will have a direct impact on improving transportation for customers.
This means the acquisition of 468 new AZUR cars, the major refurbish and refit of the Youville minor repairs shop, the development and commissioning of métro driving cab simulators, the raising of train platforms inside stations slated for elevators, the ongoing Réno-Métro umbrella program that includes both Réno-Systèmes and Réno-Infrastructures programs and the major refurbishment of Berri-UQAM station initiated in 2010.
In order to reach its objectives for growth, STM will focus nearly 50 percent of its investments on the replacement and expansion of its bus and métro rolling stocks, in the amount of CA$.1.3 billion (US$1.2 billion).
Over the next three years, the company will invest CA$660 million (US$581 million) for machinery, métro stationary equipment and other tools and equipment. Nearly 80 percent of that sum is earmarked for Phases III and IV of the Réno-Systèmes program that reconditions or replaces stationary equipment, mostly within the initial network that went into operation already 48 years ago.
STM will put CA$537 million (US$473 million) toward maintaining its real estate assets and modifying its infrastructure in order to integrate the new rolling stock. Of that amount, some CA$196 million (US$172 million) will serve to refurbish métro stations, as part of Phases I and II of the Réno-Infrastructures program and CA$54 million (US$47 million) for Berri-UQAM’s major renovation.
The governments of Québec and Canada along with the Montréal Urban Agglomeration will finance 75 percent of the STM’s investment spending. The MTQ’s share is at 63 percent, while the federal government will cover 10 percent. The STM will almost entirely finance the difference, at 25 percent.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board received updated information about the projected cost and timeframe for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP), which includes Caltrain electrification and the purchase of new electric vehicles.
Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be stepping down from the post he has held since April 2009 and, effective Jan. 1, 2015, will be on staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)—effectively returning to his Chicagoland roots.
On November 10, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the F line between Greenwich Village in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.
BNSF celebrated the opening of a new $45-million logistic center in Sweetwater, Texas, November 6. The logistic center, capable of supporting rail, truck and transload services, will accommodate several industries, including agricultural commodities, sand, pipe and aggregate.
Koppers Holdings Inc. appointed Leroy Ball to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2015, as part of its long-term strategic planning process.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says that voters on Tuesday continued their strong support for public transportation at the local level.
CSX has appointed Kellen Riley as its South Carolina industrial development manager where he will be responsible for managing existing customer partnerships, helping to locate rail-served industries along the CSX network in South Carolina and identifying new development sites throughout the state.
The Federal Highway Administration has approved a preferred construction alternative for CSX’s Virginia Avenue Tunnel project, enabling CSX to complete the tunnel’s design and initiate the construction permitting process.
Washington state regulators have approved nearly $18,000 for rail safety upgrades at 98 railroad crossings in Grant, Franklin, Adams, Yakima and Benton counties.
Sound Transit will host an open house November 6, which will showcase the completed design for East Link’s South Bellevue station and alignment and provide information on early construction activities that will start in 2015.
According to a recent Washington State Freight and Goods Transportation System report published by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Columbia Basin Railroad line from Connell to Moses Lake/Wheeler, Wash., is the busiest shortline in eastern Washington.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will begin discussions this week to develop a balanced budget for FY2016; the general manager/chief executive officer will present a budget proposal in December, which will lead to budget adoption in early 2015.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved funding authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing rail crossing warning device upgrades at five crossings.
BNSF says it will go into the 2014-2015 winter season better prepared than ever before, especially if the United States experiences a return of the polar vortex. The 2013-2014 winter was one of the most severe winters the United States has experienced in decades with extreme temperatures that persisted for long periods and created special challenges for operating the railroad.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Blue Line Pacific Coast Highway and Anaheim stations in Long Beach will each receive a second canopy along with improvements, such as lighting, new paint, replacement of worn or damaged tiles and the installation of new tracks and track beds.
On November 3, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens for four consecutive weeknights. E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and World Trade Center; F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and 21 St-Queensbridge; M service will end early between 71 Av. and Essex St. each night and R service will end early between 71 Av. and 36 St. in Brooklyn each night.
Transport Canada is implementing measures to address the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) recommendations stemming from its final report on the Lac-Mégantic train derailment.
Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million to fund 86 multimodal projects in 35 counties in the state, including nine rail-specific projects.
