PANYNJ to study extending PATH rail service to Newark Liberty International Airport

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners approved long-awaited plans to consider extending the World Trade Center-Newark PATH rail line to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Metrolink and SCRST enforce safety at five crossings

As part of California’s Rail Safety Month, Metrolink and the Southern California Rail Safety Team (SCRST) targeted law violators at five crossings in the cities of Los Angeles and San Fernando on September 21.

Sandhogs join MTA tunnels in Queens and Manhattan

Sandhogs working on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s East Side Access megaproject broke through the final piece of reinforced concrete separating newly built tunnels in Queens from newly built tunnels in Manhattan.

Metrolinx seeking private operator, not TTC, for Eglinton light rail

Metrolinx recently decided to engage in a process known as Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP), where a private company will design, build, finance, maintain and operate its new light-rail lines.

NCDOT awarded $26.5 million to alleviate passenger rail congestion

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $26.5 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays on Amtrak service in eastern North Carolina. The resulting improvements are centered in the area between Rocky Mount, N.C. and Petersburg, Va., and will improve service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, N.C., and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida.

California HSR section receives approval from feds

In a major step forward for California high-speed rail, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a Record of Decision that approved the alignment from Merced to Fresno, allowing construction to begin next year.

CDOT exploring technology for possible I-70 HSR plan

As part of its Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) Division of Transit and Rail is issuing a Request for Statements of Technology Information.

GCRTA Cedar-University Station groundbreaking ceremony held

The Greater Cleveland and Regional Transit Authority on Wednesday, September 19, broke ground for a new, fully accessible transit facility near Case Western Reserve University that will serve as one of Cleveland’s busiest transit centers, serving the RTA Red Line train and Circle Link shuttle buses.

USDOT awards more than $74 million for development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor in Virginia

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C., and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service.

All Aboard Florida selects AMEC as its environmental engineering firm

All Aboard Florida (AAF), developer of the privately-owned, operated and maintained intercity passenger rail system that will connect South Florida to Orlando, has selected AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., as the environmental engineering firm overseeing the design planning and environmental compliance and permitting efforts for the 230-mile passenger railway infrastructure.

New COO readies the X Train

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc., has appointed Penny Stegeman to chief operations officer, passenger services, to the Las Vegas X Train team.

DePallo named Metrolink CEO

The Metrolink Board of Directors appointed Michael P. DePallo, a veteran transit leader with more than 30 years of experience, as chief executive officer of the Southern California commuter rail service.

Chicago RTA proposes multi billion dollar transit improvement plan

The Regional Transportation Authority unveiled a plan to fund capital improvements for transit systems across Chicago and the suburbs.

Minnesota Southwest light rail receives state grant

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released $47.5 million in competitive business development grants, including $2 million for the Southwest Light Rail Transit project.

NYCT names chief transportation officer

New York City Transit appointed Herbert Lambert, who has more than 30 years of service in Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s Department of Subways, to the position of chief transportation officer, rapid transit operations.

Indiana Gateway Project receives $71.3 million in federal funds

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $71.3 million to Indiana to help alleviate congestion in one of the region’s most delay-prone rail corridors. The Indiana Gateway Project will both relieve congestion and support the development of higher performing intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest.

VIA Rail’s Belleville Station officially open

As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada, Daryl Kramp, member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings on behalf of the Honorable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), officially opened the new Belleville train station, overhead walkway and island platform in Ontario.

NTSB closes five outstanding safety recommendations on WMATA

The National Transportation Safety Board closed five of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s outstanding safety recommendations.

CTA to acquire properties for 95th Street Terminal, awards Red Line South project contract

The Chicago Transit Authority granted approval to begin the process of acquiring property near its 95th/Dan Ryan Terminal on Chicago’s South Side as part of the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project. The project is an estimated $240-million initiative that will expand and improve the 95th/Dan Ryan Terminal.

The nine properties identified for acquisition are located directly off the expressway and are primarily commercial properties with a few vacant lots.

This allows the CTA to begin the acquisition process, subject to the requirements of federal and state law. Any purchase of a property by CTA, whether by negotiation or court order, cannot take place without subsequent board action.

The 95th/Dan Ryan Terminal is one of CTA’s busiest, with 24-hour Red Line service and more than 1,000 CTA and Pace bus trips on a typical weekday. The current configuration does not have adequate capacity to efficiently serve customers, which number around 20,000 on an average weekday.

Metrolink presents fully equipped PTC test train

Southern California’s Metrolink unveiled its Positive Train Control test train at an event hosted by Metrolink Board Chair Richard Katz and the Metrolink Board on September 10.

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