San Francisco rail improvement projects completed

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Church and Duboce Track and Street Improvement Project and the Carl Street Rail Replacement Project have been completed.

Calgary opens West LRT, completes 7 Avenue project

In Calgary, AB, Canada, the city’s West LRT line officially opened on Dec. 10.

Three California commuter rail projects get state funds

The California Transportation Commission allocated $108.7 million to three commuter rail projects that will help ease traffic congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.

LIRR full rush service returns following signal repair

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will operate full morning and evening rush hour service beginning Monday, Dec. 10, as a result of Amtrak restoring the signal system capacity in one of its two flood-damaged East River tunnels.

St. Paul Union Depot restoration completed

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) in St. Paul, Minn., completed the $243-million historic restoration of the 90-year-old Union Depot train station.

Final early works contract for the Evergreen Line awarded

The final early works contract for the Evergreen Line in British Columbia, Canada, has been awarded, which lays the groundwork for major construction and helps to keep the project on track for 2016.

GO Transit completes switch replacement program

GO Transit in Toronto, ON, Canada, replaced more than 100 switches throughout the Union Station Rail Corridor to move trains more quickly and efficiently in and out of Union Station.

Santa Clara VTA receives state funding to expand BART facilities

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has voted unanimously to allocate $50 million in state funding to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

Amtrak requests $336 million in emergency funds

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a U.S. Senate committee the New York region needs to strengthen rail capacity and resiliency in order to create “a better ability to resist damage, recover from an event and return the rail system to service” following major disasters.

Canada’s transit ridership continues growth

According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), public transit ridership for the first six months of 2012 showed remarkable growth across Canada, registering an increase of 3.2 percent during the same period a year earlier.

Honolulu city council authorizes FTA grant for rail project

The Honolulu City Council voted eight to one in favor of authorizing the execution of the $1.55-billion Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Honolulu rail project.

Ottawa recommends Rideau Transit Group for light-rail project

In Ottawa, ON, Canada, city staff has recommended that the international consortium known as the Rideau Transit Group be awarded the contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project.

Amtrak/CSX Hudson Line deal to improve service, move projects forward

A long-term lease agreement between CSX Corporation and Amtrak has been made, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Phoenix Valley Metro names chief engineer

Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona has hired Rick Brown as chief engineer/director of design and construction.

VIA Rail readies improvements to locomotives, frequencies and infrastructure

VIA Rail Canada has completed a number of projects, including additional frequencies and the introduction of a new service between Ottawa, ON, and Quebec City, QB.

Maryland Transit Authority evaluating remote sensors for CWR

Protran Technology and QinetiQ North America have partnered to provide the Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) with the first real-time network of remote sensors installed on continuous welded rail (CWR) for testing and evaluation.

WMATA studying ways to fight fatigue

On Thursday, Dec. 6, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board Safety and Security Committee will receive an update on fatigue research, including a key finding that recommends a methodical, comprehensive approach to the issue rather than solely considering the number of hours an employee works.

SEPTA names new assistant general manager of EM&C Division

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority promoted Robert Lund Jr., P.E., to assistant general manager of engineering, maintenance and construction.

light-rail transit

DART opens Blue and Orange rail extensions

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Dallas, Texas, opened two rail segments on Dec. 3, extending the Blue Line to Rowlett and the Orange Line farther into Irving and closer to DFW International Airport.

CTA Red North Station Interim Improvement work more than 80 percent complete

On Friday, Nov. 30, Chicago Transit Authority Red Line trains resumed serving the Lawrence station, bringing the Red Line Interim Improvement Project to 80 percent complete.

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