PATCO to enter final stages of Ben Franklin Bridge rehab

Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) will begin the final stages of its 18-month effort to completely rehabilitate the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Rail being installed for LIRR Double Track Project

Workers began installing the first sections of rail on the $388-million Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Double Track Project, which will build a second track over an 18-mile stretch between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma stations.

WMATA derailment report says defect data was deleted; broken fasteners undetected

As part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) investigation into the cause of an August 6 derailment, a technical incident report has been released.

New Holyoke Station restores Amtrak service to area

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Pollack joined Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse along with state and local officials Aug. 27 to celebrate the opening of the new $4.3-million Holyoke Train Station on the Knowledge Corridor and restoration of Amtrak Vermonter Line service.

TriMet testing MAX Orange Line in preparation for September opening

On Aug. 30, TriMet MAX Orange Line test trains will begin running frequently along the 7.3-mile route between Downtown Portland and north Clackamas County in preparation for its opening Sept. 12

Phoenix votes to approve long-range light-rail extending transportation plan

Phoenix voters approved Transportation 2050, a transportation plan which as developed by a citizen-led committee of transportation experts and community advocates and expands investment in light-rail construction by building an additional 42 miles of light rail throughout the city.

Siemens to automate MTA’s Queens Boulevard subway line

Siemens has been awarded a $156-million contract by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) on the Queens Boulevard Line.

DEIS released for Durham-Orange light rail

The Federal Transit Administration on Aug. 20 signed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed 17-mile Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit (D-O LRT) Project, which would run from Chapel Hill to Durham, N.C.

USDOT awards grants to promote transit careers

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $9.5 million in grants to 19 projects in 13 states selected to help train a new generation of skilled workers and support long-term careers in the public transportation industry.

SamTrans undergoes management reorganization

The management team at SamTrans is being restructured to improve the operating efficiency and the administrative functions of SamTrans, Caltrain and San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

AREMA names new executive director and CEO

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Board of Governors has appointed Elizabeth Caruso, CAE, as AREMA’s executive director and chief executive officer, effective September 1, 2015.

NJ Transit to receive additional $71 million for Sandy recovery efforts


The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award New Jersey Transit $71 million in Sandy recovery funds to support important repair and resiliency projects.

Valley Metro opens Central Mesa extension


Valley Metro‘s 3.1-mile light-rail extension connecting riders with downtown Mesa, Ariz., began service August 22, seven months ahead of schedule. The extension includes four new stations located on Main Street at Alma School Road, Country Club Drive, Center Street and Mesa Drive.

SacRT opens Blue Line light-rail extension


The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Blue Line light-rail extension to Cosumnes River College (CRC) opened August 24, earlier than its original date in September in order to accommodate the fall semester start at Cosumnes River College and Los Rios Community College District campuses.

UIUC opens RAIL to advance better track designs

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) located at the Harry Schnabel, Jr., Lab.

WMATA plans to accept Silver Spring Transit Center from Montgomery County

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) received a formal request from Montgomery County to transfer the Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center into the regional transit system.

SEPTA West Trenton passenger service to separate from CSX freight operations

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) will finalize separation of its West Trenton Regional Rail Line from a CSX freight line.

New York Assemblyman wants MTA to look into reactivating rail spur


New York Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Howard Beach) has called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to apply for funds from a recently-announced New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) infrastructure grant to fund a comprehensive feasibility study into reactivation of the abandoned Rockaway Beach rail spur.

SEPTA GM Joseph M. Casey to retire


Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) General Manager Joseph Casey, who has led the authority since 2008 and completed 34 years of service in a number of roles, will retire September 30, 2015.

WSDOT resumes landslide mitigation work along Everett and Mukilteo rail lines

This week in Washington state, crews will start landslide mitigation work near Mukilteo and Everett to help limit landslides that disrupt passenger train service north of Seattle.

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