New York legislators want federal money to restore Rockaway Beach Rail Line

New York Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens/Nassau) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn and Queens) have joined state Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) in the effort to restore the abandoned Rockaway Beach Rail Line.

Arup hires two to regional transit

Arup, an engineering and consulting firm, hired Joseph Edge, P.E., associate principal, and Christopher Taylor, P.E., associate principal, to its regional transit division. They will be located in Arup’s New York office.

Evergreen Line construction laid out, stations named

The government of Canada, the government of British Columbia and TransLink laid out the construction schedule for the next 12 months and finalized station names for the Evergreen Line in Metro Vancouver scheduled to open in summer 2016.

CN sells Ontario line to Metrolinx for commuter service

Canadian National closed the sale of a segment of rail line principally used by GO Transit commuter trains in the Oakville-Burlington, ON, Cananda-area west of Toronto to Metrolinx for CA$52.5 million (US$51.4 million).

BART installs Oakland Airport Connector guideway

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) crews installed the Oakland Airport Connector (OAC) guideway above Interstate 880, between Hegenberger and 98th Avenue, in Oakland, Calif., March 24.

Pennsylvania, Amtrak reach agreement to save service

The state of Pennsylvania and Amtrak have reached an agreement on a new funding plan that will maintain rail passenger service between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pa.

MTA to reopen Smith-9th Streets FG Station in late April

After a two-year rehabilitation project, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Smith-9th Streets Station, serving the F and G lines, will reopen on April 22.

NYCT maintenance program planned for Upper East Side

Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Upper East Side of Manhattan on the 4, 5 and 6 lines, starting March 25.

Schuster names new head of House T&I Committee communications team

U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) appointed Jim Billimoria to lead the committee’s communications and public relations efforts in the 113th Congress.

NRC Conference heats up south beach

The 2013 National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Annual Conference in Florida can be marked as another success.

Oregon lawmakers approve Columbia River Crossing funding

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill that provides $450 million in funding for the Columbia River Crossing project, which partners the Oregon and Washington state departments of transportation in a proposal to replace the I-5 bridge, extend light-rail to Vancouver, Wash., improve interchanges and enhance pedestrian and bicycle pathways.

Broward County approves operational funds for streetcar project

In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “The Wave” modern streetcar has been given unanimous approval by the Broward County Commission and is expected to open by 2016. The county’s portion, which funds operating and maintenance costs, is $2.5 million annually.

Amtrak reaches new agreement with UTU

After more than two years of negotiations, the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation (UTU-SMART) general committees representing some 2,300 Amtrak members have reached a deal on a new contract.

BLET readies for 150th anniversary

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will enter its 150th year on May 8, 2013. BLET notes that it is the oldest transportation labor organization in North America.

Rail shows largest improvement in ASCE infrastructure report card

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” on Tuesday, March 19. The report is an assessment of 16 infrastructure categories in the United States that takes place every four years.

Northeast transit agencies receive second round of Sandy relief funds

The second allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) storm-related aid through the FY 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act has been released.

WMATA ramped up rebuilding effort in 2012

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) massive rebuilding and modernization efforts accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2012, with $230 million invested in projects to make the system safer and more reliable.

CHSRA approves MOU for Bay area rail improvements

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) to enhance the rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.

SEPTA names new chief engineer

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) promoted Andrew Gillespie to chief engineer, in the Engineering, Maintenance & Construction Division.

RTD West Rail Line named one of most significant construction projects

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District (RTD) West Rail Line project has been named one of the most significant construction projects of 2012 by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

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