SEPTA’s Bridgeport Viaduct project reaches halfway mark

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Bridgeport Viaduct project reached the 50 percent completion point.

CTA begins major work on Ravenswood Connector rehab project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will begin major construction work on the $71.2 million Ravenswood Connector rehabilitation project.

Maryland Purple Line FEIS released

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), published the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation (FEIS) on September 6, marking the start of the 30-day public comment period.

Sound Transit to detail progress of Bel-Red corridor East Link extension

Sound Transit will hold an open house for community members to review the progress of the East Link extension along the Bel-Red corridor, which is now approximately 60 percent complete.

Streetcars return to Salt Lake City, Dec. 8

The first streetcar to travel Utah’s streets in more than 50 years will be open for service starting December 8, 2013.

TIGER V grants $474 million to 52 projects in 37 states

Fifty-two transportation projects in 37 states will receive a total of approximately $474 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Among these, $146 million will help fund rail projects.

Maryland to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation for Baltimore Metropolitan Region

Maryland plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation investments for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region that will support more than 13,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion and revitalize communities.

SEPTA, New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad awarded TIGER grants

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad have been awarded $11.4 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

Michigan begins track improvements as part of Accelerated Rail Program

The first of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season will begin on September 9.

RTA approves five-year strategic plan for Chicago area passenger service

The Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors has adopted the 2013 Regional Transit Strategic Plan, which will serve as the roadmap for planning and development for transit during the next five years.

Illinois high-speed rail corridor work continues

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are performing the second of three phases of 2013 upgrades to Illinois’ Chicago-St. Louis high-speed route, for future 110 mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains.

TSB: Misaligned switch led to inadvertent diversion of VIA Rail passenger train

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report into an occurrence where a VIA Rail Canada passenger train was unexpectedly diverted into a siding at Hegadorn, while en route from Jonquière to Montreal, QB, Canada, on August 9, 2012.

TIGER V: KC Streetcar, Sound Transit receive grants

A U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant was awarded to the Kansas City Streetcar project in the amount of $20 million.

TIGER V: Springfield, Ill., receives funds for Carpenter Street underpass

Springfield, Ill. has been awarded $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street, an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor.

USDOT proposed rule would expand Surface Transportation Project Delivery program

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a rule proposal that would give states an opportunity to manage the federally required environmental review process for highway, rail and transit projects.

CTA begins construction on Cermak Green Line Station

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground August 29 on the new Cermak Green Line station, a $50-million construction project that will energize the area around McCormick Place and provide an additional transportation option for the Near South Side.

Hawaii approves transit archaeological survey, construction could begin in a month

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) rail transit project could resume construction as early as September after the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approved the archaeological survey reports. The approval also allows HART to begin permit applications.

Ethiopian delegation tours RTD to research transit solutions

At the request of the U.S. Department of State, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., hosted a high-level Ethiopian delegation on August 20 to research transit solutions to improve the availability, quality and efficient delivery of transportation services to the disabled in their nation.

“We are pleased to respond to this request from the state department’s International Visitor Leadership Program,” stated Phil Washington, RTD general manager. “It is humbling to be recognized both in America and internationally for our light-rail system and how we continue to pursue ways to improve transportation delivery to disabled community members.”

Delegation members represent the Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC), the Addis Ababa Road and Transport Bureau and the National Association of Physical Handicap. ERC officials have expressed interest in ensuring that the light-rail transport now under construction, the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, will be a state-of-the-art facility and meet internationally accepted disability standards.

 

Orseno named Metra’s interim executive director

In Chicago, Metra has selected Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operations Officer Donald Orseno, a lifelong railroader, as the interim executive director/CEO.

Colton rail-to-rail crossing completed

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) have said that Colton Crossing, a project that will unlock delays at a major rail crossing in Southern California, has been delivered significantly under budget and ahead of schedule.

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