NYCT begins FASTRACK in Manhattan and Queens

Starting January 20, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit will bring FASTRACK to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens. For four consecutive weeknights until early morning January 24, E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Ave. and World Trade Center. F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Ave. and 21 St.-Queensbridge. M service will end early between 71 Ave. and Essex St. each night. R service will end early between 71 Ave. and Whitehall St. each night.

FASTRACK has been designed around the careful determination that there is adequate alternate means of transportation, including enhanced services along some bus lines during work periods.

FASTRACK was introduced in January 2012, devoting four straight weeknights to perform maintenance work in tunnels, stations and on tracks, completely suspending service within a given line segment for a seven-hour period, allowing an army of maintenance workers to perform dozens of tasks.

The next FASTRACK overnight closure will be on the 2, 3 and 4 Eastern Parkway Line, between Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Ctr. and Franklin Ave., beginning January 27 and ending early January 31.

 

USDOT issues final rule to streamline environmental reviews for transit, highway projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) implemented a final rule it says will significantly cut red tape, while achieving better environmental outcomes, for certain transit and highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and spur them towards completion more quickly than in years past.

NYCT restores service following water main break

An early morning water main break at 13 St. and 5 Ave. in Greenwich village in New York flooded subway tunnels servicing the A, B, C, D, F and M lines with thousands of gallons of water causing service disruptions into the morning peak period affecting tens of thousands of subway riders.

Railroads subcommittee to examine challenges facing California HSR project

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R-CA) will hold a hearing January 15 to examine challenges facing the California High Speed Rail project.

Boardman pushes for comprehensive surface transportation program

The guiding principle of a new federal surface transportation investment program must focus on national priorities, connectivity and economic growth, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said during a speech January 10 at the National Press Club.

MassDOT unveils first draft of new five-year capital plan

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) released the first draft five-year MassDOT Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for FY2014-FY2018, a $12.4-billion program that will create growth and opportunity for residents across the commonwealth.

Giulietti named Metro-North president

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad President Howard Permut will retire January 31, Joseph Giulietti has been named his successor.

Request For Proposals issued for Azusa To Montclair section of Gold Line

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) to Azusa to Montclair Engineering and NEPA Support Services, which calls for qualified teams to provide engineering and environmental consulting.

Vaughn named RTD FasTracks North Metro Rail Line project manager

Regional Transportation District (RTD) manager Ashland Vaughn will lead the construction of the RTD FasTracks North Metro Rail Line as the new project manager beginning January 12.

Keolis to begin operating MBTA commuter rail in July

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has entered into an agreement for a new commuter rail contract with Keolis Commuter Services.

LACMTA Blue Line undergoes $1.2 billion overhaul

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Blue Line is undergoing a $1.2-billion overhaul replacing power stations, overhead power lines, tracks, rail cars and improvements to station platforms in a multiyear investment to bolster reliability, comfort and safety.

Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership Council recommends alternatives for further study

At its December 17 meeting, the Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership Council made a recommendation to the Federal Railroad Administration on which rail route alternatives should receive more detailed study in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

HART says 2014 will be big year for rail construction

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) is welcoming the new year with construction ramping up along the alignment.

CTA Blue Line station to undergo $23 million in renovations

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approved a $2-million plan to rehabilitate and improve the accessibility of the Blue Line’s Illinois Medical District station by making all three station entrances accessible to customers with disabilities and additional upgrades, using $23 million of city tax-increment financing funds made available through Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “Chicago Neighborhoods Now” program.

MTA brings FASTRACK to the G line in Brooklyn

Beginning January 6, for the first time, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the G Subway Line in Brooklyn. G Line service will be suspended between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue for four consecutive weeknights until early morning, January 10.

BART Board approves labor contract, employees to vote next

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted eight to one to approve the 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreements reached with BART’s two largest unions, ATU, Local 1555 and SEIU, Local 1021, at a special meeting on January 2, 2014.

Houston METRO marks a decade of service

Houston METRO celebrated 10 years of successful light-rail service on the Main Street Line January 1, 2014.

FTA issues safety advisory for right-of-way workers

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a safety advisory guidance document concerning the protection of right-of-way (ROW) workers, as well as a request for information from transit agencies and State Safety Oversight (SSO) agencies that will be used to review the nation’s rail transit right-of-way worker safeguards.

NYCT upgrading vacuum train to keep subways clean

After years of sucking up tons of track debris from the underground portions of the subway system, one of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s (NYCT) two vacuum trains is receiving an extensive late-life overhaul and upgrade aimed at improving efficiency, increasing reliability and easing maintenance tasks.

Axion receives order for composite crossties

Axion International Holdings, Inc., producer of ECOTRAX® composite rail ties and STRUXURE® building products, received a purchase order worth $925,000 from “a major domestic transit line located in the South Central region.”

LOAD MORE