First twin tunnels section completed for TTC subway extension
The first 1.6 kilometers (one mile) of twin tunnels for the Toronto Transit Commission Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) in Canada has been completed.
Santa Clara VTA awards railroad relocation contract
California Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors voted Thursday, June 7, 2012, to authorize VTA’s general manager to execute a $45,040,277 contract with RGW Construction, Inc., for the Mission/Warren/Freight Railroad Relocation (MWT) Program improvements.
Raisbeck steps down from CP
David Raisbeck resigned from the Canadian Pacific Board of Directors, a position he has held since October 2009.
FRA issues final rule regarding ENS at grade crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration issued new regulations requiring railroads to install signs at grade crossings and pathway crossings with telephone numbers the public can use to alert railroad companies to unsafe conditions.
NJ Transit aims to keep citizens off the tracks
Led by duo public service announcements spotlighting the deadly consequences resulting from poor choices made at railroad crossings, NJ Transit Board Chairman and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson, NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein and members of the NJ Safety at Railroad Crossings Leadership Oversight Committee unveiled a new series of safety initiatives at separate events in Camden and Bergen counties.
FASTRACK returns to the NYCT’s Lexington Avenue Line
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK back to the Lexington Avenue Line.
DesertXpress HSR project renamed XpressWest
DesertXpress Enterprises has renamed its Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail service “XpressWest” to more accurately reflect its role as the first leg of a larger western high-speed passenger rail network.
Port of Coos Bay preps for next phase of rail line rehabilitation
The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay issued documents and is seeking bids for the 2012 Major Track Rehabilitation Project. This is the largest reconstruction phase to date related to the Coos Bay Rail Line rehabilitation.
CTA Purple Line viaduct project progresses
Crews are continuing work on the Chicago Transit Authority Purple Line viaduct at Greenleaf Street in Evanston. Rail service along the Purple Line will be temporarily suspended from the Howard Terminal to the Davis Street station Friday, June 8 until 4 a.m. Monday, June 11.
SFMTA readies for Central Subway tunnel construction, names new director of capital programs and con
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in California is ramping up construction of the Central Subway with major work to prepare for tunneling, including excavation of almost an entire city block.
Chicago’s RTA releases Green Transit Plan
Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority and several of its transportation partners have released the Chicago Regional Green Transit Plan, which quantifies the environmental benefits of the region’s public transit system and will serve as the roadmap for how transit can help the Chicago region become more sustainable.
GWI names future COO
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. named David Brown the successor to GWI’s current chief operating officer, James Benz.
NCDOT names new rail division director
The North Carolina Department of Transportation appointed Anthony Fuller as the new director of the Rail Division.
Additional funding safeguard approved for HART rail project
A bill establishing a method for short-term borrowing as a safeguard for Honolulu’s rail project was approved Wednesday, clearing the way for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to secure $1.55 billion in federal funding.
Amtrak awarded IT award for its eTicketing program
IDG’s CIO magazine awarded Amtrak the 2012 CIO 100 for its eTicketing program as an innovative business technology application. The 25th annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.
Manufacturer rep agency, Railliance, Inc., launches
Industry sales veteran Eric Schook has formed Railliance, Inc., a manufacturer’s rep agency specifically focused on rail (freight, transit and industrial) industries. Schook has nearly 20 years of experience in domestic and international railway supply with Cattron, Hirschmann and Ansaldo STS.
BNSF plans $65 million capital program in New Mexico
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $65 million on track and rail capacity improvement projects in New Mexico this year.
CP awards Parsons-LifeSpan structural monitoring contract
Parsons has been awarded a contract by Canadian Pacific for the structural monitoring and advanced condition assessment of its La Crosse Rail Bridge. The bridge was one of the first 15 bridges built across the Mississippi River and it spans between La Crescent, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis.
CSX and NASCAR’s Regan Smith urge motorists and pedestrians to exercise care around railroad tracks
CSX Corporation and NASCAR driver Regan Smith kicked off Train Safety Awareness Week by reminding people to stay away from railroad tracks and use caution at grade crossings.
LACMTA to open Culver City and Farmdale stations along Expo Line
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will officially open to the public both the Culver City Station and the Farmdale Station along the recently-opened Expo Line on Wednesday, June 20 at 12 noon.