Amtrak’s Coscia urges Congress to unlock passenger rail’s potential

According to Chairman of Amtrak‘s Board of Directors Anthony Coscia, Congress should focus on ways to unlock intercity passenger rail’s potential by providing predictable, dedicated funding to develop and implement capital investments for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and other rail corridors between America’s major metropolitan areas.

Improvements made to Rail Runner crossings; safety review complete

In New Mexico, Rail Runner has made safety improvements at crossings in Santa Fe, following a collaborative four-month review of the crossings by Rio Metro Regional Transit District, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) and the city of Santa Fe.

Testing begins on Foothill Gold Line Pasadena to Azusa section

The first light-rail vehicle traveled on the Foothill Gold Line December 9, kicking off the testing phase of the line, which will connect Pasadena and Azusa, Calif.

HART completes first mile of guideway

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has finished installing the first mile of the 20-mile elevated guideway in west Oahu, Hawaii.

Fall Conference recap: AREMA, RTA

The 96th Annual Railway Tie Association Symposium and Technical Conference was held October 14 – 17 in Orlando, Fla., where 307 attendees gathered together to discuss the crosstie industry, as well as the railroading environment as a whole.

CTA begins Wilson Station reconstruction

The Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) broke ground Dec. 8 on the Wilson Station Reconstruction Project, which will modernize the 91-year-old stationhouse and the station’s more than 100-year-old track structure.

SEPTA appoints director of legislative affairs

Pamela Sarne McCormick, a public policy and government relations professional who has long served as the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Harrisburg representative, will join Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) as director of legislative affairs, effective December 29, 2014.

MTA awards contract to repair and harden the South Ferry station

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has awarded a $193.8-million contract to Judlau Contracting, Inc., to rehabilitate the new South Ferry station and include elements that would protect the station from flooding in the event of future damaging storms.

Caltrain releases Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project FEIR

Caltrain released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, Calif.

LAX could connect to LACMTA light-rail service by 2024

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board received an update from Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) officials on its Automated People Mover (APM) project, saying that the light-rail-line could be in service by 2024.

MnDOT seeks public input on plan for improved freight, passenger movement on Minnesota railroads

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), along with local municipalities and counties, will host an open house Dec. 8, in Willmar, Minn., to gather input for the 2015 update of the Minnesota State Rail Plan.

Team of 13 California U.S. Representatives look to block HSR funding in 2015 spending bill

Thirteen U.S. Representatives sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey on December 3 requesting that end-of-year appropriations measures include provisions to prohibit federal spending on California high-speed rail (CAHSR).

Work begins to replace San Mateo Bridges

Work began December 4 on Caltrain’s San Mateo Bridges Replacement Project, an infrastructure project that will provide seismic upgrades to four aging railway passes on the Peninsula.

LIRR plans signal work for East Side Access Project

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will be performing signal work for the East Side Access project December 5 through December 8, which will require closing two of four East River Tunnels connecting Queens to Manhattan and Penn Station.

FTA promises MBTA Green Line nearly $1 billion

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is pledging nearly $1 billion in funding for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford, Mass.

Railway Association of Canada honors 2014 safety award winners

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) recognized four of its members for their outstanding contributions to rail safety. Representatives from Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, VIA Rail Canada and The Roberval and Saguenay Railway Company accepted their awards at the association’s Rail Day event in Ottawa, ON.

PANYNJ releases proposed 2015 capex budget

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released its proposed $2.9-billion Operating Budget and $3.6-billion Capital Budget. Combined, together with debt service, the proposed agency budget for 2015 totals $7.8 billion in proposed spending.

PATCO to begin next phase of Benjamin Franklin Bridge in early December

Beginning on December 4, Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) trains will be operating on a revised schedule as contractors begin work on the next phase of the Ben Franklin Bridge rehabilitation project, which connects Philadelphia, Pa., and Camden, N.J. The new schedule will affect service between midday Thursday and early Monday morning and will remain in effect until early February 2015.

Los Angeles, San Francisco light-rail big winners in recent Caltrans funding allocations

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) awarded approximately $560 million to 77 transportation projects including light-rail projects throughout the state.

First phase of M-1 Rail construction completed

M-1 Rail completed its first phase of construction between Campus Martius Park and Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit.

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