Metrolinx unveils next wave of “Big Move” projects

In Toronto, ON, Canada, Metrolinx unveiled the next wave of projects drawn from “The Big Move,” the Regional Transportation Plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), that will continue Metrolinx’s ongoing transformation of the region’s transportation system.

Metrolinx signs agreements with Toronto, TTC

In Toronto, ON, Canada, Metrolinx has signed agreements with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the city of Toronto to improve public transit and ease congestion.

NJ Transit Gladstone Branch repairs to be completed Friday

Repairs to the New Jersey Transit Gladstone Branch of the Morris and Essex Lines will be completed on Friday, Nov. 30, with test trains scheduled to begin operations at that time.

USDOT awards $3.2 million to the state of Washington

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $3.2 million to the state of Washington to enhance capacity and improve reliability for intercity passenger and freight rail in the Pacific Northwest.

Axion receives purchase order from BART

Axion International Holdings, Inc. received its third purchase order for an additional 270 switch ties from San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The 100-percent recycled ECOTRAX switch ties are to be installed BART’s 104 miles of tracks.

Metrolink sets ridership record

In California, Metrolink experienced record ridership this Thanksgiving holiday. Operating the same number of trains as last year, Metrolink reported 4,448 Thanksgiving Day riders; a 36 percent increase from 2011.

Metro-North’s Port Jervis signalization project begins

A new signal system is being installed on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line that will increase safety and more efficiently control train speed.

Welding begins on TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Project

Crews began welding together the first section of rail for TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project in Oregon.

Canadian court dismisses Air Rail Link complaint

The Canadian Divisional Court has dismissed an action brought by Clean Train Coalition in reference to the Metrolinx Air Rail Link (ARL) in Toronto, ON.

Amtrak names two to executive and management positions

Amtrak named Bruce Pohlot chief engineer and Tom Quigley general manager, state-supported services. Both will report directly to D.J. Stadtler, vice president of operations, effective Dec. 10, 2012.

Edmonton LRT hits tunnel construction milestone

In Edmonton, AB, Canada, tunneling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project broke through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton’s existing light-rail network.

CTA releases 2013 budget recommendations

The Chicago Transit Authority proposed a $1.39 billion budget for 2013 that maintains current service levels, freezes base fares and calls for modest reductions in discounts for CTA passes to bring them in line with other major U.S. cities.

FTA approves $1.55 billion for Honolulu rail project

The Federal Transit Administration has notified Congress that it will sign a $1.55 billion full funding grant agreement (FFGA) with the city and county of Honolulu by the end of this year.

Santa Clara VTA proposing Los Gatos light-rail extension

In California, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is proposing to extend the existing Mountain View to Winchester light-rail line by 1.6 miles by way of the Vasona Light Rail Extension Project.

NJ Transit fully or partially restores service to all but one rail line

New Jersey Transit rail lines are running full or modified service effective Monday, November 19, with the exception of one line.

New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens

As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.

Archaeological work for Honolulu rail project ahead of schedule

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) archaeological inventory survey work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is ahead of schedule and all fieldwork is now slated for completion in early December.

Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.

FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.

Sound Transit, Seattle to explore transit possibilities between downtown Seattle and Ballard

Sound Transit and the city of Seattle, Wash., have agreed to jointly study transit improvements between downtown Seattle and Ballard.

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