In its investigation of five Metro-North accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified several recurring safety issues, including inadequate and ineffective track inspection and maintenance, extensive deferred maintenance issues, inadequate safety oversight and deficiencies in passenger car crashworthiness, roadway worker protection procedures and organizational safety culture.
October 29, 2014, marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida‘s downtown Fort Lauderdale station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the nearly 60,000-square-foot station and platform can begin.
Amtrak is establishing a blue ribbon panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address the rail traffic gridlock in Chicago. Amtrak said the unprecedented level of rail congestion is causing major delays for Amtrak passengers and freight shipments.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named David Mayer as the agency’s new chief safety officer.
As Caltrain marks its 10th year of Baby Bullet service, major employers that have grown their companies along the Caltrain/101 corridor announced the formation of a new advocacy coalition that will work to support efforts to expand Caltrain capacity and service as the system struggles to meet the unprecedented ridership and financial demands it’s facing.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has proposed a balanced $1.44 billion budget that, for the fourth year in a row, maintains or improves transit service levels and holds the line on base fares, while continuing investment in projects and programs to improve the customer experience and modernize regional transit.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) revealed plans for three new train stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin, Conn., as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.
October 27th, 2014, marks the 110th anniversary of the New York City Transit subway system. The first train ran north from City Hall to 145th Street and Broadway. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) notes that the New York City Transit system that now benefits 5.8 million daily customers sprang from a single line that didn’t leave the confines of Manhattan.
On the heels of last week’s completion of all light rail track installation for the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has achieved another major milestone for the project – completion of all 14 grade crossings for the 11.5-mile light-rail extension, three months ahead of schedule.
The foliage, while colorful and plentiful this time of year, is not always ideal for the railroad, notes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). That’s because when leaves fall on the rails, they become crushed and produce an oily substance known as pectin. MTA says this “slime” can cause wheels to slip or slide when a train attempts to speed up or slow down, often leading to minor service delays.
On October 23, federal, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the $142-million Englewood Flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood.
On October 27, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) brings FASTRACK to the 4, 5 and 6 lines in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Service on all three lines will be suspended in both directions between Grand Central-42 St. and Atlantic Av.-Barclays Ctr. for four consecutive weeknights until October 31.
Elecnor, in a joint venture with Cobra, has been short-listed for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP), a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program in California. The project worth nearly $1.23 billion and scheduled to be implemented by 2019.
Randy Altshuler joined HDR as the firm’s West Region transportation director, based in the Oakland, Calif., office. His responsibilities include leading business development activities and growth strategies throughout the West Region.
Construction has started on the new passenger rail route connecting Chicago and Moline, Ill. The $23 million in improvements underway at the BNSF’s Eola Yard in Aurora, Ill., are made possible by funds from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) $177-million grant toward the project, as well as $78 million in matching funds provided by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released two separate Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for Regional Consultant services for the Palmdale to Burbank Project Section and the Burbank to Los Angeles/Anaheim Project Section of the high-speed rail program.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published its first multi-state plan for a comprehensive, high-performing passenger rail network that will support rail planning in six Southwestern states over the next 35 years.
The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc., (X Train) has begun the engineering of the route to Las Vegas from Los Angeles on what it calls the Western Alignment.
The Foothill Gold Line project from Pasadena to Azusa, Calif., celebrated construction completion of the light-rail track systems for the 11.5-mile project.
The Mid-Coast Trolley project in San Diego, Calif., reached a significant milestone when the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed the Record of Decision for the federal environmental document on October 15.