Amtrak Texas Eagle moves to TRE corridor

Amtrak has concluded negotiations and changed the route of the Texas Eagle train between Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, to run on the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) corridor.

Harvard report makes recommendations to strengthen MBTA fiscal position

In the wake of last winter’s severe service disruptions and the ongoing debate over cost overruns associated with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Green Line extension, Charles Chieppo, a senior fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School released a report outlining a number of reforms intended to put the MBTA fiscal house in order.

Minnesota transit board approves funds for commuter, transit project

The Minnesota Counties Transit Improvement Board authorized funding for three rail projects on December 16.

MnDOT cuts Northern Lights Express cost projections

The Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance, in conjunction with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MdDOT) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), has cut the Northern Lights Express high-speed passenger rail project (NLX) cost in half.

Chicago RTA 2016 budget to fund CTA, Metra improvements

Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors adopted the 2016 operating budgets, which will fund Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra improvements next year.

D.C. Streetcar begins pre-revenue operations

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington, D.C., has started Pre-Revenue Operations (PRO) for the DC Streetcar as DDOT prepares the system for safety certification to carry passengers.

RTD nears completion of 64th Avenue grade separation

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver is nearing completion of its 64th Avenue Bridge between Pecos Street and Federal Boulevard. The bridge replaces a portion of the existing 64th Avenue roadway and an at-grade railroad crossing with a grade-separated crossing.

Wabtec signs PTC contracts with Metra, Parsons Transportation Group

Wabtec Corporation signed contracts worth approximately $45 million to provide equipment and services for a Positive Train Control (PTC) system for Chicago’s Metra commuter rail system. The contracts are with Metra and Parsons Transportation Group.

CTC allocates more than $96 million for California rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has adopted 27 projects, valued at nearly $154 million, that it says will support needed upkeep on California’s aging roads and bridges, alleviate traffic delays and encourage use of alternative forms of transportation, including biking, walking and transit. CTC has allocated more than $96 million for rail projects alone.

Metro-North details results of track work initiative

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad has detailed its latest results of a systemwide track reconstruction effort that has rebuilt miles of the railroad in the past two and a half years, delivering smoother, safer and more reliable service to customers.

Officials dedicate Metrolink’s 91/Perris Valley rail extension

A dedication ceremony for the 91/Perris Valley commuter rail extension from Riverside to Perris, Calif., was held Dec. 11.

NYCT completes review of AC lines; identifies improvement areas

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) has completed a full, end-to-end review of the A and C Lines, the fourth such comprehensive study joining previous reviews of the F, L and G Lines.

Metro-North hires chief safety officer

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad named Justin Vonashek as the agency’s new vice president of system safety, where he will oversee all efforts to ensure the safety of its customers and employees as it continues to improve work practices and invest in new technology and equipment.

House passes S. 808; next stop: the President

The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10, 2015 passed S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015, which among other provisions, will increase the number of STB members from three to five, improving STB’s structure and decision-making processes by allowing, with proper disclosure, board members to speak with one another about cases on which the STB is ruling.

PANYNJ agrees to work with partners on Trans-Hudson tunnel project

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners agreed to partner with the federal government in the development of the vital Gateway Tunnel Project by creating a development corporation to oversee construction of the massive passenger rail project and meet the future needs of hundreds of thousands of riders.

MBTA to cancel Green Line contracts, eyes restructuring project management team

Following a joint meeting of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB), MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola notified several firms working on the Green Line Extension project that the MBTA is acting to end their current contracts.

MetCouncil sends updated Blue Line Extension Project to municipalities for consent

The Metropolitan Council (MetCouncil) has approved an updated project scope and $1.496-billion cost estimate for the planned METRO Blue Line Extension LRT Project. The project, which now includes 11 stations, was recommended for approval at November’s Corridor Management Committee meeting.

Valley Metro to open Northwest Extension in March 2016

On March 19, 2016, Valley Metro will open its second light-rail extension on 19th Avenue in Phoenix, Ariz., giving more riders regional access to destinations across the Valley.

Atlanta approves long-range streetcar plan

On December 8, 2015, the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) received approval from the Atlanta City Council on the Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar System Plan (SSP).

RTD begins construction on twin bridge for North Metro line

The Regional Transportation District of Denver’s (RTD) North Metro Rail Line will have a total of nine bridges along its 18.5-mile route with construction currently underway on the 104th Avenue Bridge. Crews have mobilized to start the six-month long construction process.

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