Contract awarded for Metrolinx RER electrification

Turner & Townsend, a program management and construction consultancy firm, has been selected to support a five-year project to modernize Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER).

Texas Central enters agreement for engineering and pre-construction work

Texas Central Partners entered into an agreement with Dallas to Houston Constructors (DHC), a joint venture between Archer Western Construction and Ferrovial Agroman US Corp. (FAUS), that includes engineering and pre-construction work valued at $130 million.

Amtrak Cascades celebrates 20 years of international rail service

It has been 20 years since the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Amtrak launched Amtrak Cascades passenger train service to Canada. Today, international ridership on the line continues to grow and benefit economies on both sides of the border.

CTA to restore Yellow Line service at the end of October

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Yellow Line service will resume Friday, October 30, following an embankment collapse this past May.

Chicago Union Station revitalization plan moves forward

Amtrak, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority revealed a set of initiatives on Friday aimed at advancing the master plan to redevelop Chicago’s Union Station.

Metra’s 2016 budget includes fare increase to cover PTC, capital needs

Chicago’s Metra has proposed a $945.5 million budget that provides for $759.8 million in operating costs and $185.7 million to fund capital improvements in 2016.

Work to begin next week in Kansas for Amtrak Southwest Chief upgrades

Work is expected to begin next week on infrastructure improvements for the Amtrak Southwest Chief route, which will upgrade several miles of the La Junta subdivision of the BNSF Kansas Division to support passenger train speeds.

Lehigh Valley’s “Road to Rail” initiative studying possible passenger rail service

A study being led by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is looking at the possibility of restoring passenger rail to Philadelphia.

CTA awards 95th Street Terminal construction contract

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board has approved the award of a construction contract for the new, modern and larger 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest rail station projects in CTA history that will modernize transit and promote economic opportunity on Chicago’s south side.

SEPTA names new deputy GM

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has promoted Richard Burnfield to deputy general manager. He will also continue to serve as SEPTA’s treasurer, a position he has held for the past seven years. He will report directly to General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel.

Gillespie Joins Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems Practice as VP

Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) has hired Andrew Gillespie, PE, as vice president of the Transit and Rail Systems division and director of special projects.

FTA to take over WMATA rail safety oversight

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is moving the safety oversight of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail operations to the Federal Transit Administration.

Wabtec Corporation acquires Track IQ

Wabtec Corporation has acquired the assets of Track IQ, a manufacturer of wayside sensor systems for the global rail industry. Track IQ has annual sales of about $15 million.

Bombardier’s Rail Control Division focused on North American expansion

Bombardier Transportation is further expanding its North American rail control presence with two new mass transit projects.

NJDOT leadership change underway

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jamie Fox will make his anticipated transition back to the private sector by the end of the month, when NJDOT Deputy Commissioner Joseph Bertoni will take over as acting commissioner.

HNTB nabs CHSRA design and construction contract

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors has awarded HNTB Corporation the project and construction management contract for Construction Package 4. HNTB will provide design and construction oversight for the next 22 miles of construction in the Central Valley.

Houston METRO wins APTA outstanding transit system award

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County received the 2015 “Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award” from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The award was given to Houston METRO at APTA’s annual meeting in San Francisco.

MBTA Green Line increases countdown signs

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line will activate additional countdown signs this week at Copley, Arlington, Boylston, Park, Haymarket and North Stations.

Wiley to retire from SacRT

Mike Wiley, general manager and chief executive officer of Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), has announced plans to retire following a 38-year career. Wiley will transition from the chief executive position to a supporting role that SacRT says will ensure the continued success of the agency.

UP and BNSF win distinguished Hay Award at AREMA Conference

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2015 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to Union Pacific and BNSF for the Tower 55 Multimodal Improvement Project in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

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