CHSRA granted exemption from STB
The Surface Transportation Board granted an exemption for construction of 65 miles of California high speed railroad right-of-way between Merced and Fresno, Calif., on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
BART approves $1.5 billion FY14 budget
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors has approved a $1.5 billion balanced budget for fiscal year 2014 that responds to customer priorities with investments in cleaner stations, new trains and other system improvements.
TranSystems names new senior vice president for passenger and transit
Robert Ryan joined TranSystems as senior vice president and market sector leader for its national passenger rail and transit practice areas.
JLP hires former Amtrak construction manager
J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. (JLP) hired Harry Steelman as senior construction manager, a former Amtrak construction manager.
WMATA to implement close call reporting
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is launching a Close Call Transit Safety Reporting System designed to enhance safety by increasing the opportunity for employee reporting of incidents or situations that have the potential for more serious consequences.
Metro-North accelerates trackwork in Bronx through summer
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad plans to accelerate trackwork in the Bronx including drainage improvements, tie replacements, fencing repairs and general cleanup of the wayside for nine weeks from July 1 through Labor Day.
KCSM chosen as Chrysler Group’s Logistics Supplier of the Year
Chrysler Group LLC has honored Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) with its Supplier of the Year award in the Logistics category. The award was presented at Chrysler’s third annual Strategy Meeting and Supplier Awards Ceremony on June 5 in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Norfolk Southern dedicates new regional intermodal facility
Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster joined federal, state and local officials June 11 to officially dedicate the Franklin County Regional Intermodal Facility in Pennsylvania.
CSX CFO highlights growth supported by intermodal expansion
Expansion in domestic and international intermodal markets will help to drive continued long-term profitable growth at CSX, Chief Financial Officer Fredrik Eliasson stated at the 2013 Cowen and Company 6th Annual Global Transportation Conference in New York.
Sound Transit hosts open houses on Federal Way Transit Extension
Sound Transit is conducting two open houses this month to seek public comment on its evaluation of alternatives to extend Link light rail from SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way areas.
NJ Transit to offer WiFi at stations, platforms and trains
The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision Systems Corporation to offer one of the top requested amenities to NJ Transit customers: high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains.
Skanska names new head of communications and marketing
Skanska USA promoted Jessica Murray to head of communications and marketing for Skanska Infrastructure Development North America.
FreightCar America awards ballast plow contract to Montana Hydraulics
Montana Hydraulics has been awarded a contract to manufacture and deliver 54 bi-directional ballast plow units to FreightCar America. The current contract follows last year’s order for 108 units.
PUCO approves upgrades at three crossings
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved construction authorization at three grade crossings in Carroll, Coshocton and Cuyahoga counties.
Union Pearson Express wins Project of the Year
Union Pearson Express (a division of Metrolinx) in Toronto, ON, Canada, won Project of the Year at the Global AirRail Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.
USDOT receives 568 applications for latest TIGER Grants
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the strong demand for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants continues, as once again the number of applications has surpassed the available funding.
Reps. introduce Transit Parity Act
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the Transit Parity Act. The bipartisan bill would maintain tax credit parity for drivers and public transportation users.
MARTA adopts FY14 budget
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 operations and capital budgets, which will take effect on July 1.
Boardman: We are eating our assets alive
The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss of asset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuity of passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee June 7.
VTA board awards $16 million construction contract for Capitol Expressway Transit
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Board of Directors awarded the Granite Rock Company, doing-business-as Pavex Construction Division, a $16.8 million construction contract award for the continued improvements planned along Capitol Expressway and future VTA rapid transit and light