Kansas City streetcar begins to roll

Federal and local officials gathered May 6 to kick off inaugural service of the modern Kansas City Streetcar.

Caltrain Modernization Program secures additional funds

Caltrain’s Modernization Program received an additional $211 million investment following a seven-party agreement adopted by the agency’s board of directors on May 5, 2016.

Cities of Somerville and Cambridge commit $75M in bid to save GLX project

The Massachusetts cities of Somerville and Cambridge reiterated their support and commitment for the proposed Green Line Extension Project (GLX) by pledging a combined $75 million to help bridge the project’s funding gap.

Steps taken to engage public for LIRR triple track project

In a bid to make good on a promise to promote community engagement surrounding the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Expansion Project, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out plans for public meetings, launched a new website and committed to expedited crossing improvements.

Metrolink California rail projects funding

Metrolink preps for 91/Perris Valley Line opening with additional testing

Metrolink will increase testing of trains along the 91/Perris Valley Line between Perris and Riverside, Calif.

TriMet preps for largest MAX rail replacement project ever

TriMet is days away from the biggest rail replacement to date on the MAX system. May 8 through May 21, MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be disrupted and all MAX lines will run on reduced frequency as crews complete major, necessary improvements on the alignment along 1st Avenue in Downtown Portland.

BART makes case for modernizing train control systems

Less crowding and fewer equipment-related delays are important goals of Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) “Big 3” capital improvement projects. The new train cars, an expanded facility to maintain the much larger fleet and a 21st century train control system are all linked and essential to relieving crowding.

Flores joins STV as vice president

Will Flores, an experienced project executive who has overseen the development of a number of transportation initiatives in the New York metropolitan area, has joined STV as a vice president in its Transportation & Infrastructure Division.

Metrolink names CFO

Ronnie Campbell, a veteran financial expert with more than 25 years of budget and finance experience, will join Metrolink as its chief financial officer on May 23. Campbell has been with the city of Camarillo since 2007, serving as the city’s department of finance director.

NTSB: Ineffective inspection, maintenance, oversight led to January 2015 accident

According to a report adopted in a public meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a short circuit on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system that caused thick smoke to fill a stranded train, killing one passenger and injuring 91 people on January 12, 2015,

RTD to begin Southeast Rail Extension in May

Construction on the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Southeast Rail Extension Project will break ground May 10.

Officials tour the new RTD maintenance facility

On May 3, 2016, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman’s (R-CO-6) chief of staff and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-CO-4) regional director joined the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Inc. (REMSA), for a tour of a new commuter rail maintenance facility (CRMF).

HNTB adds Haboian as SVP and chief business development officer; Giamario to New Jersey office

Kevin Haboian has joined HNTB Corporation in the new position of chief business development officer and senior vice president, where he will support the firm’s growth within the transportation sector across the United States.

Crenshaw/LAX tunnel boring machine begins work

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM), Harriet, began digging the first of two twin-tunnels beneath Crenshaw Boulevard last week.

APTA: Melaniphy quits; White named interim head

Michael P. Melaniphy has resigned as President and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association, effective April 29. APTA Vice President-Member Services Richard A. White is Acting President and CEO until a permanent replacement is selected.

CHSRA acquires radio spectrum required for train communications

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received final approval to acquire exclusive rights to the radio spectrum needed to operate future communications systems for its trains.

CHSRA Board of Directors adopts 2016 Business Plan

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Business Plan, which lays out an approach to sequencing the Phase 1 system that will ultimately connect the San Francisco Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin via the Central Valley with high-speed passenger rail service. The plan will now be delivered to the legislature by May 2.

Gov. Baker evaluates MBTA infrastructure upgrades

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker recently visited a Keolis work site in Ashland, Mass., to review the progress on infrastructure upgrades the Massachusetts Bay Transporation Authority (MBTA) is making as part of a larger effort the MBTA, its Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) and leadership are making to improve service, access, accountability and reliability for riders and taxpayers.

Dallas City Council names long-time DART VP to board

Former Dallas Area Rapid Transit Vice President of Marketing and Communications and current Richland College faculty member Sue Bauman has been appointed to the DART Board of Directors by the Dallas City Council.

FRA makes $25 million available for rail infrastructure safety upgrades

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is now accepting applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in competitive grants to increase rail safety. Applications are due by June 14, 2016.

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