In memoriam: Gus Vorgias

Constantine Vorgias, 85, of St. John, Ind., and former employee of E.J. & E Railroad and ESCO, passed away at home on November 9, 2015.

Sound Transit selects Tacoma Link alignment; confirms Rogoff as CEO

The Sound Transit Board of Directors have selected the route, stations and expanded operation and maintenance facility for the Tacoma Link Expansion. When built, the 2.4-mile extension will serve riders traveling from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods.

Tempe Streetcar receives environmental clearance

The Tempe Streetcar has received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which indicates that the three-mile project will have no significant environmental effect on the neighboring communities.

OnTrackNorthAmerica partners with Lautala, Jin on transportation research

OnTrackNorthAmerica (OTNA), a non-profit action think tank, will partner with Dr. Pasi Lautala from Michigan Tech University and Dr. Mingzhou Jin, director of the Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Engineering lab at the University of Tennessee on better transportation planning and investment.

Hatch Mott MAcDonald to be split between Hatch and Mott MacDonald

The Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) joint venture between Hatch and Mott MacDonald will be separated and integrated into the parent companies by early 2016.

$1.29 million-plus made available through Iowa’s Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program

The Iowa Transportation Commission approved more than $1.29 million in funding for five rail infrastructure and related rail development projects under the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) Program.

PANYNJ expands CEO search; Foye backs out

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s  (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners has been conducting a search for the agency’s first CEO since New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorsed the December 2014 recommendation of the Special Panel on the Future of the Port Authority that the bi-state agency appoint a single chief executive officer selected by and accountable to the Board of Commissioners.

MBTA and Keolis beef up winter preparations

Purchasing new snow fighting equipment, creating dedicated snow response teams and centralizing passenger communications are among the actions being taken by Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to prepare the commuter rail system for winter in order to keep trains operating safely and to minimize impacts to passengers.

One year anniversary will mark one million rides on BART to OAK

November 21 marks one year of active service for the automated Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to OAK line between Oakland International Airport and Coliseum Station. Coincidentally, it is also expected to reach the one millionth passenger trip milestone at some point this weekend.

MTA presents final 2016 budget proposal

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) presented its 2016 Final Proposed Budget and its 2016-19 Financial Plan, in which the agency says “a relentless emphasis on cutting costs will allow the MTA to invest $242 million in new service, maintenance and operations initiatives over the next four years, while limiting fare and toll increases to the rate of inflation.”

Former FTA Administrator Rogoff recommended as Sound Transit CEO

The Sound Transit CEO Search Committee has recommended Peter M. Rogoff, the federal government’s third-highest transportation official and former Federal Transit Administrator, as its top candidate to serve as Sound Transit’s new leader.

Baltimore Maglev project approved for passenger railroad franchise

Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR) and The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) say that the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved BWRR’s application to acquire a passenger railroad franchise previously held by the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railroad Company. The railroad franchise was abandoned in 1935.

Sound Transit moving closer to finding new CEO

The CEO Search Committee of the Sound Transit Board has identified a candidate who it will interview in executive session on Nov. 18.

TriMet names Kelsey as COO

TriMet has selected Doug Kelsey as its chief operating officer, where he will lead the agency’s Transportation, Maintenance and Information Technology (IT) divisions, starting Nov. 30. He will also have a dotted-line responsibility for the Safety & Security Division.

He comes to TriMet from TransLink, where he served in many capacities, most recently as president and general manager of its subsidiary British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. Kelsey replaces Robert Nelson, TriMet’s interim deputy general manager who has served in a similar capacity as chief operating officer since July 2013 and plans to retire.

“Doug brings to TriMet more than 16 years experience in the transit industry and he is a welcome and valuable addition to our team,” said General Manager Neil McFarlane. “He will lead our continuing efforts to improve the reliability and quality of our bus and rail service, as well as oversee the expansion of our system to meet the growing demand for transit.”

Kelsey will also provide critical transportation and urban planning leadership and analysis and will have executive management responsibility for the deployment of capital projects once they become operational.

 

Hakim returns to MTA as head of NYCT

New York City Transit named Veronique Hakim as the eighth permanent president of the agency. Hakim is a career transportation professional who has returned to MTA after an earlier 23-year career at the agency.

SCVTA nearing completion of double track project

Construction on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track project is nearly complete.

Metra names chief safety and environmental officer

Chicago’s Metra has named Hilary Konczal as its first chief safety and environmental officer. The newly created position puts Metra in line with best practices and Federal Transit Administration recommendations and consolidates safety and environmental units under one officer.

SEPTA celebrates completion of two station projects


Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) completed both its Wayne Junction Station and 9th Street Station recently.

Metrolink begins PTC testing on San Bernardino line


On Nov. 16, Metrolink started Positive Train Control (PTC) testing on its San Bernardino Line, which covers the cities of El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino.

Testing will be done Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., however, there may be some additional testing during daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday.

 

SNC-Lavalin realigns rail and transit business


SNC-Lavalin realigned its business processes, brands and market strategy to offer a larger portfolio of rail and transit expertise and provide an end-to-end client service offering.

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