CTA ridership hits 22-year high

Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) ridership in 2012 grew to its highest annual total in the past 22 years, rising 2.4 percent to 545.6 million rides for the year.

New Orleans streetcar line opens

The Loyola Avenue-Union Passenger Terminal Streetcar Line in New Orleans, La., is now open. The new line extends transit service to the French Quarter, the Superdome and downtown jobs and is already attracting new business and residential development to the area.

Gov. Patrick highlights commitment to South Coast Rail

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined state and local leaders in New Bedford, Mass., to highlight the administration’s commitment to South Coast Rail as a key component of an investment plan to grow jobs and expand economic opportunity.

Wong-Harris to manage CHSRA’s Central Valley construction

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors selected PGH Wong Engineering, Inc., and Harris & Associates to provide additional oversight and management of contractors who will build the initial 30-mile stretch of high-speed rail from Madera to Fresno, Calif.

SMART approved for $12.5 million in regional funds

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) approved a $12.5-million award in regional transportation funding for Phase 1 of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project in California.

Three LACMTA subway stations renamed

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors approved the name changes of three subway stations.

WMATA unveils “Momentum” plan for growth

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) presented the Board of Director’s Governance Committee with a staff draft of the authority’s strategic plan, called Momentum, which defines the next generation of WMATA.

Denver RTD ends West Line construction, plans to refinance to accelerate North Metro Rail construction

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) celebrated the completion of the West Rail Line construction Jan. 23 with lighting the 6th Avenue Bridge, which signifies the start of the countdown to the grand opening of the West Rail Line on April 26.

Gov. McDonnell unveils billion-dollar list of proposed rail and transit projects

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s long-term transportation funding proposal, “Virginia’s Road to the Future,” would provide the Virginia Department of Transportation with approximately $1.07 billion in new funds for rail and transit projects.

House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee ranking members named

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee selected subcommittee ranking members for each of its six panels.

Detroit’s M-1 Rail receives $25 million in federal funding

The Detroit, Mich., M-1 Rail project can move forward immediately using the $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant previously awarded for transit in the city.

National Safety Council recognizes WMATA’s Sarles with award

Richard Sarles, general manager and CEO of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority was selected for the 2013 CEOs Who “Get It.” The list is an annual recognition of business leaders who demonstrate world-class safety and is compiled by the National Safety Council (NCS).

LIRR begins public outreach on Double Track project

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road opened the first of two Double Track Information Centers along the Ronkonkoma Branch so customers and the public at large can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for a second track on existing LIRR property

Denham named rail subcommittee chair

Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was named chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee for the 113th Congress.

RTA Board approves billion-dollar budget for Chicago area transportation

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors adopted the 2013 budget and two-year financial plan at a special RTA Board meeting on Jan. 16.

MassDOT’s transportation plan includes $3.8 billion in rail projects

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey set a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the commonwealth.

HART: Initial project delay costs lower than anticipated

Construction delay costs for the rail transit project stemming from the recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling, halting construction until archaeological fieldwork is complete, are coming in lower than budgeted, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) said.

NCTD to begin Phase 2 of PTC project

North County Transit District in San Diego, Calif., plans to begin the second phase of Positive Train Control (PTC) system installation on all COASTER commuter trains Jan. 15.

Axion receives order from LIRR, ties undergo durability test

Axion International Holdings, Inc., recently worked with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and CTL Group to conduct independent, third party durability tests.

NJ Transit to restore full-service into New York post Superstorm Sandy

New NJ Transit rail schedules take effect on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, will include additional trains on the North Jersey Coast Line that will restore service levels into New York to 100 percent, reflecting the agency’s ongoing Hurricane Sandy recovery and repair.

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