The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors approved an updated expenditure plan for the Foothill Extension light-rail project from Pasadena to Claremont. The expenditure plan includes an estimated cost to complete the 23-mile light-rail extension and a timeline for needing funding.
The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance to create the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, a way to leverage private investment for transformative infrastructure projects and guide the city’s renewal of these elements in the 21st century.
“Chicago will be a city that shapes its own destiny,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Nowhere is this more important than with our critical infrastructure needs. The Chicago Infrastructure Trust will allow us to consider transformative infrastructure projects and build a world-class infrastructure for our city.”
Mayor Emanuel announced the Trust on March 1, in an event in which he was joined by former President Bill Clinton.
The trust will provide advantaged financing, enabling each project to customize a financing structure using taxable or tax-exempt debt, equity investments and other forms of support. Each project will be coordinated with the city and its sister agencies’ long-term plan for transformational infrastructure investments.
The Chicago Infrastructure Trust was created with the private sector, non-profit organizations and union leaders. An amended ordinance was submitted this week, which calls for one Alderman to be on the trust’s board and clarifies that the trust will be completely subject to FOIA, Open Meetings laws and the city’s ethics ordinance.
The trust will require City Council approval for all projects and will operate as a non-profit organization as it seeks projects.
The trust passed by a vote of 41-7.
The city of Seattle, Wash., and Sound Transit broke ground on Seattle’s newest streetcar line, the First Hill Streetcar.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is building a 21st century system linking all of L.A. with mass transit.
Denver’s Regional Transportation District Board of Directors indicated that they will not pursue a 2012 sales and use tax election for the FasTracks transit expansion program. The board also gave staff direction to submit a revised plan with alternate assumptions. Over the past several months, RTD has evaluated technical, financial and economic information and input from regional stakeholders and the general public.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York hired Stephen Morello as counselor to the chairman and CEO. In that role, Morello will direct the communications, government relations and community affairs divisions of the MTA and its agencies.
Union Pacific is enhancing Colorado’s transportation infrastructure by investing $4 million in the rail line that runs between Grand Junction and Cameo. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by mid May.
The Military Officers Association of America named CSX Corporation the recipient of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, a recognition of CSX’s continued emphasis on hiring and supporting active duty and veteran men and women.
The Wickford Junction commuter rail station and the commuter line service to T.F. Green Airport in Road Island are now open for business.
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will begin on the first section of the elevated guideway for the rail transit system. With all the necessary state and federal approvals needed to move forward in hand, HART gave contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. the green light to begin drilling for the concrete foundation shafts and support columns. The work started on April 23 in East Kapolei near Farrington Highway in the first section of the 20-mile route.
International Asset Systems, provider of cloud-based solutions for intermodal transportation and global cargo container shipping, has equipped Florida East Coast Railway with its IAS® EquipmentRepair to modernize equipment maintenance and repair operations. Automating the maintenance and repair and re-billing processes is said to improve collections and provide compliance with FMCSA and other regulatory agencies.
Auto Truck Group promoted Matt McGowan to director sales, western region. Action plans developed and approved through the company’s recent strategic planning process led to the realignment of its sales team and this new position.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Masabi US Ltd, will be bringing mobile ticketing to MBTA commuter rail riders this fall. With applications for iPhone, Android and Blackberry, customers will be able to purchase commuter rail tickets and passes. Once tickets are purchased, customers will be able to use and display directly via their phone screen.
Amtrak long-distance equipment will now receive safety inspections, servicing and maintenance in an upgraded, more efficient and environmentally designed facility in Hialeah, Fla., that will dramatically improve capacity, efficiency and working conditions.
Watco Locomotive Services has promoted Keith Testerman and Dan Martin and has hired Tracy Wright.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill by a vote of 28-1. The measure will now be reported to the full Senate for its consideration.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation said that several state-owned freight rail lines will benefit from track material generated from the West Haven train station project. These freight rail lines are operated and maintained by private companies.
Three Ohio communities are slated to receive Job Ready Sites grants totaling $7 million to prepare sites for future economic development opportunities. The Ohio Department of Development approved the projects through the Ohio Job Ready Sites Program, which is administered through the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Redevelopment.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station has gone out for bid, marking the latest advance in this major improvement to San Francisco’s public transportation system.
Corporate Responsibility Magazine named CSX Corporation one of the country’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens.
