NYCT’s FASTRACK returns to Manhattan and Queens

On March 30, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens.

MBTA suspends weekend service on Fitchburg Line to perform track upgrades

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to suspend weekend service on the Fitchburg Line from April 25 until November 22.

Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate

Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Portland-Milwaukie light-rail construction finishing up

Oregon’s TriMet said construction activities surrounding the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project are now “substantially complete” with some intermittent work taking place this summer.

LIRR begins work to replace Colonial Road Bridge

The Long Island Rail Road’s $45-million Colonial Road Improvement Project is now underway. The Colonial Road Bridge will close to vehicular traffic March 30 and contractors prepare to demolish the 115-year old bridge that spans the tracks in the Village of Thomaston near the LIRR’s Great Neck Station.

All Aboard Florida hires The Vailon Group to implement DBE program

All Aboard Florida has hired The Vailon Group to implement its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in Miami-Dade County.

Rep. Quigley calls for full funding of transit and passenger rail in 2016 THUD bill

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD), submitted a letter to the THUD Subcommittee with 10 members of the Illinois House delegation urging full funding for mass transit and passenger rail in next year’s THUD budget.

NJ Transit celebrates Newark Penn Station 80th birthday

Newark Penn Station, the gateway for New Jersey rail travel throughout the region, turned 80 years old March 23.

RAILS Act would help fund rail safety technologies for five years

Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) introduced the Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems (RAILS) Act, which reauthorizes the Rail Safety Technology Grant program to improve the safety of the nation’s railroads.

CTDOT, Metro-North plan spring bridge and maintenance work on New Haven Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Metro-North Railroad this spring will be making critical repairs on the Devon Bridge on the New Haven commuter rail line and doing maintenance work on the line’s Waterbury Branch.

Proposed TRAIN Act would reform environmental permitting process for rail projects

U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which the senators say will reform the environmental permitting process for rail projects in order to facilitate a more efficient way to approve rail infrastructure.

Rep. Maloney calls on FRA to perform deep dive examination of crossings

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) called for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to do a “Deep Dive” examination into measures to reduce collisions and deaths following what he called “a significant increase” in these accidents at grade crossings.

CARTA sells property originally planned for intermodal passenger hub

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) approved an agreement to sell its property at 4894 Dorchester Road in North Charleston for $6.5 million to Rushmark Properties, LLC.

AXION ties to be used in transit station and yard rehabilitation project

AXION International Holdings, Inc., received $1 million in orders for ECOTRAX® rail ties to be installed in a northeast-based transit line’s rail yard and station.

NYCT senior leadership reorganized with eye toward future service

New York City Transit (NYCT) says it has reorganized its senior leadership to meet the challenges posed by steadily increasing ridership on the 110-year-old subway system, for the first time putting a single vice president in charge of integrating new technology, operating more efficiently and improving the customer experience.

MnDOT begins Zip Rail environmental study

Several options for high-speed passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Rochester, Minn., known as Zip Rail, will undergo the first phase of a two-step environmental impact statement review process.

Sen. Leahy: U.S.-Canada agreement brings Vermont-Montreal passenger rail service closer

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) says years of work on the goal of restoring passenger rail service between Vermont and Montreal took a major step forward March 16 as the United States and Canada signed a long-awaited agreement designed to improve cross border travel and security between the two countries.

Amtrak Hoosier State to continue through end of April

The Amtrak Hoosier State service between Indianapolis, Ind., and Chicago, Ill., will continue through the end of April. The announcement follows a Federal Railroad Administration phone call with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Karl Browning, during which Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg committed to reconsider the position that would force the Hoosier State service to end.

Metrolink names Leahy as CEO

The Metrolink Board of Directors unanimously appointed Art Leahy to chief executive officer, effective April 20.

CTA awards contract for five Blue Line station rehabilitations

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approved the award of a $25.6-million contract to F.H. Paschen and S.N. Nielsen for the renovation of five O’Hare branch CTA stations, in what is the next major phase of the historic $492 -million Your New Blue modernization project.

LOAD MORE