Purple Line Transit Partners selected for LRT project

Purple Line Transit Partners, a consortium of Fluor Enterprises Inc., Meridiam Infrastructure Purple Line, LLC and Star America Purple Line, LLC, was selected as the preferred proponent to design-build, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line project for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

MBTA GLX undergoes re-evaluation

The first in a series of public meetings to consider the future of the proposed Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line Extension (GLX) will be held March 2. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MBTA are currently conducting a re-evaluation of the extension and invite the public to share their ideas about the project.

SEPTA to host public meetings on King of Prussia Rail Project

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has scheduled three public meetings on the King of Prussia Rail Project.

MBTA updates expense cutting progress

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expects to cut its projected fiscal 2017 operating deficit by 43 percent, the result, it says, of continued reductions in overtime spending and other costs and increases in revenue, such as real estate and advertising. T officials will detail the authority’s improving fiscal status during a meeting of its Fiscal Management and Control Board.

STV names Joseph North to SVP

STV has promoted Joseph North to senior vice president. A rail operations specialist and project manager with 40 years of experience in light rail, commuter rail, bus and paratransit operations, North is responsible for supporting STV’s major projects and developing new business.

USDOT accepting applications for new $800M FASTLANE grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is soliciting applications for a new grant program authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

Sound Transit advances engineering for two light-rail extensions

The Sound Transit Board of Directors has restored Sound Transit 2 funding for preliminary engineering on the Federal Way and Redmond Link extensions, giving staff the green light to move forward with further design on light-rail extensions from Kent/Des Moines to the Federal Way Transit Center and from Overlake to downtown Redmond.

May will see openings of KC Streetcar; Phase 2 of LACMTA Expo Line

In Kansas City, Mo., the KC Streetcar will begin public ridership May 6, 2016. Kansas City Mayor Sly James said the grand opening of the KC Streetcar is more than a celebration of the end of construction and opening of the line.

Light rail recommended mode to connect Ann Arbor, University of Michigan

A study evaluating high-capacity transit options for Ann Arbor, Mich., and the University of Michigan found that a light-rail route would be the recommended mode of transport over other alternatives.

Study finds Detroit to Grand Rapids passenger rail feasible

The economic benefits and number of passengers anticipated by the Coast-to-Coast Passenger Rail Ridership and Cost Estimate Study justify moving the Detroit to Grand Rapids, Mich., project forward, according to project manager Liz Treutel Callin, transportation policy associate for the Michigan Environmental Council.

Canada’s railways announce new Parliamentary Rail Caucus

The Railway Association of Canada has created a Parliamentary Rail Caucus to be chaired by Sherry Romanado, Liberal Member of Parliament for Longueuil-Charles-LeMoyne, Quebec, and co-chaired by Marilyn Gladu, Conservative Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, Ont.

Eighth round of TIGER funding makes $500 million available

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will make $500 million available for transportation projects across the country under an eighth round of the successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.

SamTrans names CFO

The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) has hired Ilia Kay as chief financial officer (CFO).

GE awarded contract to power Tampa Aiport’s APM

GE has been awarded a contract to power up the Tampa International Airport Automated People Mover (APM) in Florida. The company will provide power equipment and be responsible for system integration, engineering expertise and installation of the traction power substation, which will provide around-the-clock delivery of power to the APM.

Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx requests Finch West LRT bids from three companies

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx released a Request for Proposals to companies shortlisted to design, build, finance and maintain the Finch West Light Rail Transit project (LRT).

CHSRA draft plan reduces cost; prioritizes north segment

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released the Draft 2016 Business Plan, a foundational document for implementing the California High-Speed Rail program that reflects the transition from planning to construction to providing passenger service. Overall capital costs are reduced from $67.6 billion to $64.2 billion.

Combined FEIS/ROD issued for Durham-Orange light-rail project

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (D-O LRT) Project, which concludes the environmental review phase under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

HNTB names new associate vice president in Massachusetts

HNTB Corporation promoted Ali Tali, PE, to associate vice president. He currently serves as structural department manager in the firm’s Massachusetts office.

FRA wants states to verify proper function of traffic lights tied to crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has called on state departments of transportation to verify that railroad crossing warning systems interconnected to traffic lights function properly and urged states to add event recorders to traffic lights connected to railroad crossing systems so information obtained during inspections can be used to improve safety. Across the United States, there are nearly 5,000 railroad crossings interconnected with traffic lights.

Two LACMTA rail projects receive federal appropriations

The U.S. Department of Transportation plans to award $300 million to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for two major rail projects in Los Angeles County.

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