SCVTA, Google team up on transportation study

The North Bayshore region in Mountain View, Calif., home to Google and Linkedin, will soon be the subject of a transit study in an effort to figure out how to move an increasing number of employees there in ways other than solo driving.

Agreement reached to fund Hudson River Tunnels; establishes management entity

New York and New Jersey leaders have reached an agreement on funding commitments and a governance structure that will allow the Gateway Tunnel Project to move forward.

Metra Board approves 2016 budget

In Chicago, the Metra Board of Directors approved a $945.5-million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.

Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems awarded GO Transit electrification project contract

Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) was awarded a contract from Metrolinx for its GO Transit rail network electrification project. The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the project.

MARTA to overhaul tunnel ventilation system

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently signed a $198.5-million contract to overhaul and upgrade its tunnel ventilation system (TVS). This improvement project, which is slated to begin in early 2016, advances the agency’s ongoing commitment to safe and efficient transit operations.

FRA releases DEIS for NEC investment

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for NEC FUTURE, FRA’s long-term investment framework for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Mass.

RTD integrates PTC into construction of new lines

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., says it’s first in the nation to integrate Positive Train Control (PTC) technology in the actual construction of a rail system. The technology will be used on the new FasTracks commuter transit rail systems.

Maryland SCMaglev awarded federal grant

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded a $27.8-million grant to the state of Maryland for preconstruction and planning costs for the potential development of a Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMaglev) train between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md.

Sound Transit completes third tunnel bore for Northgate Link extension

The tunnel boring machine known as “Brenda” bored through the wall of Sound Transit‘s future U District light-rail station, completing the third segment of the twin 3.5-mile tunnels that will serve light-rail trains from Northgate Mall to the University of Washington starting in 2021.

Wabtec to provide signaling, PTC for RTD North Metro Line

Wabtec Corporation signed a $27-million contract with Regional Rail Partners to provide Phase I signaling and communications systems, including Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment, for the new North Metro Rail Line in Denver, Colo. The line will eventually be integrated into Regional Transit District commuter rail services.

Caltrain shortlists three firms for Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project

Caltrain has shortlisted three firms for the construction of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project; six firms were originally prequalified to submit proposals.

Hammer named NJDOT commissioner

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tapped New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) veteran Richard Hammer as the agency’s acting commissioner and will formally nominate him to succeed Jamie Fox.

APTA reports 5.3 billion trips in first half of 2015

Nearly 5.3 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the first six months of 2015, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This is a 0.9 percent decrease over the same period last year, representing 50 million fewer trips.

Paul Wiedefeld named WMATA CEO

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has named Paul Wiedefeld general manager and chief executive officer. Wiedefeld will be formally appointed at WMATA’s next board of directors meeting November 19.

Tri-Rail and SMART –UTU ratify agreement

United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) represented engineers, conductors and transportation specialists have ratified a tentative agreements with Tri-Rail/Transdev in Florida.

Crosstown LRT contract awarded

Crosslinx Transit Solutions has signed a $9.1-billion contract to complete the Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (Crosstown LRT) project, delivering the LRT by 2021.

SEPTA 40th Street Station receives ADA improvements

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) broke ground on ADA accessibility improvements at SEPTA’s 40th Street Market Frankford Line Station that includes the installation of two elevators to be constructed on the northwest and southeast corners of 40th and Market Streets. In addition to the two new elevators, the $7.4-million construction project includes four new head house entrances and overall station improvements.

CTA returns Yellow Line to service

Chicago Transit Authority‘s Yellow Line to Skokie, Ill., has been restored following an embankment collapse in May from construction on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) property.

TSB highlights Watchlist issues from October 2014 incident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report regarding an October 28, 2014, incident involving a VIA Rail Canada passenger train passing a stop signal near Newtonville, Ontario.

MTA Board approves five-year capital plan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved its 2015-19 Capital Program, at its October meeting.

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