RTA’s annual conference set to take over Tahoe area
The Railway Tie Association is gearing up for the 95th Annual Symposium and Technical Conference, Oct. 8-11, 2013 in Lake Tahoe, NV.
Rep. Capito visits Appalachian Timber Services
On August 7, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joined representatives from the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of the Appalachian Timber Services facility in Sutton, W.Va.
Caltrain to launch safety campaign with grant money
Emphasizing its ongoing commitment to safety, California’s Caltrain has been awarded one of eight national rail safety grants and will use the funds to sponsor a youth film festival featuring videos on rail safety.
Congress approves $189 million for Houston light rail
Congress has given the green light to Houston METRO for rail expansion, with approval of $94.5 million for the North/Red Line extension and another $94.5 million for the Southeast/Purple Line.
MARC Halethorpe Station opens
The MARC Halethorpe Station in Maryland is open after a two-year, $32.7 million reconstruction project.
Wachusett Rail Station breaks ground in Massachusetts
Officials in Massachusetts broke ground on the new Wachusett Commuter Rail Station in West Fitchburg, which will extend the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line 4.5 miles to the west. The project will also construct a new train layover facility in Westminster.
First guideway column in place for Evergreen Line
The Evergreen Line project in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada, is beginning to take shape, with the first guideway column for the rapid transit line in place.
East Side Access contract for Manhattan south structures awarded
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded the first of three contracts to fabricate and construct the permanent structural concrete lining, interior structures and fit-out for caverns and tunnels excavated underneath Grand Central Terminal for the East Side Access project.
Wisconsin Oks loans to freight rail projects
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) approved four state awards totaling $7,605,081 to improve freight rail infrastructure and support economic growth. The funds will be administered through its Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP).
FASTRACK returns to Queens on the E/M/R
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK back to Queens on the E, M and R Line August 12 for four consecutive weeknights until August 16.
South Dakota Department of Transportation wins award for rail project
The South Dakota Department of Transportation‘s 2012 Mitchell to Chamberlain (MRC) Railroad Rehabilitation project has won regional acclaim in the America’s Transportation Awards competition.
House leaders concerned antenna installation may delay PTC implementation
Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee have written to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn regarding installation of positive train control (PTC) by the end of 2015.
NCDOT awards contract for railbed construction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $24.9-million contract to Crowder Construction Co. to construct railroad roadbed along a 12-mile segment of the North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern corridor. The work will span from north of Rocky River Road in Concord to Orr Road in Charlotte.
UP Iowa to Missouri line undergoing track improvements
Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $10.5 million in the rail line between Allerton, Iowa, and Lock Springs, Mo.
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension awarded $40 million from state
Another $40 million in Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funding was allocated to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Project by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).
Hanson names Jeff Bowen vice president
Jeff Bowen, PE, recently joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. as a vice president and will lead the firm’s Florida transportation and infrastructure efforts from the firm’s Jacksonville, Fla., office.
Metrolinx halts Scarborough LRT work
The Big Move, an ambitious 25-year plan to enhance transportation in the Toronto region, is down a light-rail project following Metrolinx‘s announcement that progress on the Scarborough LRT project is suspended.
NYSDOT receives TIGER grant for Rochester Intermodal Terminal
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a $15-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to design and construct a new train station in Rochester, N.Y.
Amtrak, Virginia reach cost-sharing agreement
Virginia has entered into a cost-sharing partnership with Amtrak, where Virginia will be assuming greater costs associated with making intercity passenger rail service available to communities between Washington, D.C., and Lynchburg, Newport News and Norfolk, including Richmond.
CSX acquires Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa
CSX purchased the Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa, Fla., from the Ingram Barge Company. The phosphate export facility is adjacent to CSX’s Rockport terminal on Tampa Bay and the combined entity will be called Rockport Terminals.