Hakim elected as NJ Transit’s next executive director
New Jersey Transit‘s Board of Directors appointed Veronique Hakim as the new executive director, effective March 1, 2014.
CHSRA awards utility relocation design work contract to local California firm
California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the design-build contractor, Tutor-Perini/Zachary/Parsons, awarded a contract to Blair Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers (BC&F) for utility relocation design work in the Central Valley.
Construction begins on Perris Valley Metrolink Extension
Construction has begun on the $248.3-million, 24-mile-long Perris Valley Metrolink Extension in Southern California, which will extend the current Metrolink 91 Line to new stations in North Riverside, Moreno Valley/March Field, Downtown Perris and South Perris/Menifee.
Roadway collapse halts portion of Confederation Line tunneling
A roadway collapse has halted tunneling operations for Ottawa’s Confederation Line light-rail project at the East Portal. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority invited to apply for TIFIA loan for Silver Line Phase 2
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Council has given preliminary approval on a nearly $1.9-billion federal loan for the Dulles Metrorail Silver Line Phase 2 project in Virginia.
U.S. freight railroads, USDOT launch industry wide crude by rail safety initiative
Major freight railroads in the United States joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing a rail operations safety initiative that will institute new voluntary operating practices for moving crude oil by rail.
Sen. Schumer continues to push for 45G tax credit
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) continued the effort to restore and extend the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act through 2016.
LACMTA, FTA sign grant agreement for Regional Connector
The Federal Transit Administration signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) in the amount of $670 million to fund the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) $1.37-billion Regional Connector Project.
Metrolink begins PTC revenue service demonstration
Metrolink has begun a Positive Train Control (PTC) revenue service demonstration (RSD) under the authority of BNSF in California. Metrolink operated PTC RSD on Orange County Line train 686 February 20, however, the first revenue service train to offer the technology was 91 Line train 700 February 17.
Moorman to U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Freight rail vital to economic prosperity
Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman, while speaking to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce meeting on infrastructure, said freight railroads are “essential to driving America’s continued economic recovery.”
2014 capital expenditures strike steady pace
North American railroads plan to spend an equivalent amount to last year on total capital spend.
Transit maintenance takes preparation, collaboration
NCTD knows the indispensability of a good plan and of being a good partner.
FRA revises defective rail and rail inspection standards, adds new standards for detector car operators
Changes are scheduled for March 25, 2014.
Managing friction
Friction management methods, products and equipment continue to improve in 2014.
FRA fields track inspection requests from New Hampshire, North Dakota delegations
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has been asked by elected officials in New Hampshire and North Dakota to step up track inspections along routes that transport hazardous materials in an effort to insure rail safety to communities along the lines.
TC&W rejects freight relocation proposal for Southwest LRT
Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) rejected a proposal to relocate Minneapolis area freight rail service after reviewing a technical analysis prepared by a South Dakota engineering firm. The proposed relocation would move freight service from the Kenilworth Corridor to a St. Louis Park route to make way for the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest light-rail project.
JaxPort awards ICTF design/build contract
The Jacksonville Port Authority (JaxPort) in Florida has awarded The Dana B. Keynon Company a contract to design and build an intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) at Dames Point to facilitate the direct transfer of containers between vessels and trains.
Augimeri to chair Toronto Transit Commission
Toronto City Council appointed Councilor Maria Augimeri as chair of the Toronto Transit Commission until the term expires November 30, 2014.
CN’s 2014 capital plan flirts with US$2-billion mark
Canadian National‘s 2014 capital plan includes an investment of approximately CA$2.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) to continue to raise network safety and efficiency, improve service and grow the business.
NTSB issues recommendations to Metro-North regarding use of recorders and speed signs
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of safety recommendations to Metro-North Railroad calling for the use of inward and outward facing audio and image recorders and the installation of approach permanent speed restriction signs along the rights-of-way.