SCVTA names new GM

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Board of Directors has appointed Nuria Fernandez to general manager, effective early December 2013.

All Aboard Florida secures right-of-way, station agreements

All Aboard Florida, the intercity passenger rail project to connect Miami to Orlando, reached two significant agreements this week for right-of-way access and station development.

SFMTA begins construction of Central Subway stations, tracks and operating systems

Construction of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Central Subway‘s stations, tracks and operating systems has begun, extending the Muni Metro T Third Line underground.

SCVTA BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project named “Neatest Thing in 2013”

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project was voted “Best Example of Government Funding” and received an Honor Award for “Neatest Thing in 2013” by the Milpitas Post for its 23rd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards.

Southwest LRT: Shallow tunnels recommended along the preferred route in Minneapolis

Building shallow tunnels for light rail along the preferred route in Minneapolis is the most cost-effective solution and best long-term investment for the region, Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) green line extension planners said.

Detroit streetcar design and construction quality assurance contract awarded

The city of Detroit, Mich., awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff for design review and construction quality assurance services for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar Project.

Industry leaders discuss PTC progress

Six industry leaders representing five Class 1 railroads and Amtrak participated in a panel discussion updating attendees of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Annual Conference on their progress toward PTC implementation.

Expo Line Phase 2 reaches halfway point, marks safety milestone

Skanska-Rados Joint Venture (SRJV) reached the half way point in construction of the Exposition Transit Corridor, a 6.6-mile extension from Culver City, Calif., to Santa Monica. SRJV has worked one million hours worked on the project without a lost time incident.

Raleigh’s Union Station to receive an additional $15 million

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has, for the first time, given written approval for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to amend the Piedmont Improvement Program cooperative agreement to provide the city of Raleigh an additional $15 million for the Raleigh Union Station project.

UTA wins Hay Award at AREMA conference

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2013 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to Utah Transit Authority (UTA) for its FrontRunner South Commuter Rail Project.

Amtrak begins second phase of Michigan track improvements

The second of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season begins between Jackson and Battle Creek on September 30 as part of the Accelerated Rail Program being carried out by Amtrak for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Power failure stalls Metro-North’s New Haven Line, repairs could take weeks

A failure in a Con Edison feeder cable resulted in a lack of electricity to power overhead wires along MTA Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line on Sept. 25. The railroad was forced to run limited service using diesel locomotives until further notice between Stamford, Conn. and Grand Central Station in New York City.

RTD receives four proposals to build North Metro Rail Line

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) received proposals from four design/construction teams for the North Metro project that will ultimately extend passenger rail north from Denver Union Station through Commerce City, Adams County, Thornton and Northglenn.

SMART rail project segment accepted into “New Starts” program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has accepted Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit’s (SMART) segment from San Rafael to Larkspur, Calif., into the Project Development phase of its “Small Starts” funding program.

Construction begins on casing for Hudson Yards rail project

A critical first step was taken towards preserving a right-of-way for new rail tunnels under the Hudson River designed to withstand future flooding with the start of construction of an 800-foot concrete casing at the Hudson Yards facility in the heart of Manhattan. Construction of the concrete casing is expected to be complete in October 2015.

MTA selects Blue Ribbon Panel for rail safety study

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has created a Blue Ribbon Panel of six railroad and transportation experts to examine the circumstances behind recent safety-related incidents at Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New York City Transit (NYCT).

Final EIS on MassDOT’s South Coast Rail proposal released

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) South Coast Rail proposal to establish passenger rail service between Boston and the cities of New Bedford and Fall River, Mass.

LACMTA begins restoration of historic train depot

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has begun restoration work on the historic Southern Pacific Lankershim/North Hollywood train depot as construction crews work to rehab the facility throughout the coming year.

NYCT details Greenpoint Tube repair progress

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) employees have completed eight weekends-worth of Sandy-related work to repair the Greenpoint Tubes.

Tunnel boring for TTC subway extension is 90 percent complete

Tunnel boring of four tunnels that are part of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) in Toronto, ON, Canada has reached 90 percent completion.

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