ConnDOT, MTA to conduct operational review of Walk Bridge

Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will conduct an operational review of procedures at Walk Bridge in Norwalk, Conn.

Rep. Denham plans amendment to prohibit funding for California high-speed rail

U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA-10) plans to introduce an amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, H.R. 4745, preventing any appropriated funds from being used for high-speed rail in the state of California. In June of 2012, Rep. Denham offered the same amendment to the THUD appropriations bill for the year 2013, H.R. 5972.

Rail Summit rallies rail executives, decision makers in Chicago

The second annual Rail Summit, held in Chicago, Ill., proved to be another success, rallying some 300 rail executives and decision makers to discuss this year’s theme of economic opportunities resulting from the surge in energy and intermodal growth.

FRA launches safety investigation into recent Metra incidents

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is launching a 45-day focused deep dive safety assessment of Chicago’s Metra in response to three incidents that have taken place in the past two weeks.

HART begins guideway construction

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has started installing the guideway for the rail system, placing the 50-ton segments on top of the columns in West Oahu, Hawaii.

Gov. Malloy to hold “crisis summit” with Metro-North

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has called for a crisis summit to be held on Monday, June 9, with the state of Connecticut, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Metro-North to address the recent incidents that caused the failure of the New Haven Line’s “WALK Bridge” in Norwalk.

TriMet names executive director of maintenance operations

TriMet hired Sam Marra as executive director of maintenance operations, beginning July 8. In this role, Marra will oversee and provide leadership for TriMet’s bus and rail fleet maintenance, rail maintenance-of-way operations and the agency’s facilities management.

Connecticut officials tour New Haven Rail Yard

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) Commissioner James Redeker and other state and local officials on June 5 led a tour of the New Haven Rail Yard, which is undergoing a $1.15-billion, multi-year upgrade and expansion.

SCVTA to close Dixon Landing for grade separation work

Starting June 16, Dixon Landing Road in Milpitas will be closed by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) to through traffic in both directions between Milmont Drive and just east of the railroad corridor in northern Milpitas for eight months for grade separation work.

BLET members at SEPTA authorize strike

A 98.84 percent majority of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members working for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have voted to authorize a strike when a mandatory 30-day cooling off period under the Railway Labor Act comes to an end in less than two weeks.

HDR hires transit sector director

HDR, Inc., has hired Tom Waldron as transit market sector director, based in HDR’s New York City office. His responsibilities include setting HDR’s vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion in transit across North America and globally.

Denver’s RTD outlines commitment to safety for public, employees and contractors

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver always keeps safety as a first priority. With the summer construction season swinging into high gear, RTD has outlined its policy and procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.

Parsons selected as program management of Arlington Streetcar project

Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia have selected Parsons Transportation Group to help manage Arlington’s streetcar program, which includes the Columbia Pike streetcar segment that the two counties are jointly building.

Indiana kicks off $71-million rail upgrade

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joined representatives from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and Norfolk Southern on May 29 to kick off the $71.4-million Indiana Gateway project to improve rail lines between Porter, Ind., and the Illinois state line.

FRA Administrator Szabo tours Siemens Louisville Rail Plant

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo visited Siemens’ automation plant in Louisville, Ken., which is one of several companies across the country that are making key components for Positive Train Control (PTC) systems.

FASTRACK returns to Manhattan June 2

On June 2, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program will return to Manhattan stations along the N, Q and R lines. For four consecutive weeknights the N, Q and R trains will not stop at stations in Manhattan.

More Sandy relief funds for NJ Transit, PATH

The Department of Transportation has awarded a combined $235 million in federal grants to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy inflicted on New Jersey Transit and Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail systems in late October 2012.

Target Field Station multimodal hub opens in Minnesota

In Minneapolis, Minn., Hennepin County recently opened a new multimodal transportation hub named Target Field Station, which connects the Metro Transit Blue and Green lines and Northstar Commuter Rail.

Toronto mayoral candidate has a new transit plan for the city

John Tory, a candidate for mayor of Toronto, ON, Canada, unveiled his One Toronto Transit Plan that he says will help relieve transit and traffic congestion in Toronto within seven years.

SEPTA to perform track renewal along trolley line

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will conduct a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 11 trolley line from June 1-August 30, 2014.

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