Rail and transit get 21 percent of Virginia’s $11.4 billion transportation program

The Virgina Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved $11.4 billion in allocations for transportation improvement projects over the next six years beginning July 1. The Six-Year Improvement Program distributes funding for highway, road and bridge projects, as well as rail, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation improvements across the state.

The T Board approves new TEX Rail station site

The board of The T (Fort Worth Transportation Authority) in Texas unanimously approved a new site for the agency’s TEX Rail commuter rail station.

New York’s MTA launches “Stay Back from the Platform Edge” safety campaign

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched a new visual information campaign aimed at reminding subway customers how dangerous it is to stand too close to the tracks. The posters have begun appearing in subway cars this week, rotating through three different themes.

I-210 Gold Line bridge superstructure pour complete

Achieving another major milestone in the Los Angeles Country Gold Line Foothill Extension construction project, crews worked 18 hours over the past several days to place more than 200 truckloads of concrete to form the superstructure and main crossbeam of the I-210 Gold Line Bridge.

LACMTA dedicates Culver City Station on Expo Line

Los Angeles Mayor and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa joined Culver City Mayor Andy Weissman and other local elected officials to dedicate the opening of the Expo Line Culver City Station located in the heart of Culver City at the intersection of Washington and National.

AECOM wins contract for work on Australia’s largest public-transportation project

AECOM Technology Corporation is part of a consortium that has been awarded a $555 million contract for a package of work on Australia’s Regional Rail Link in the state of Victoria.

TIGER IV funding light on rail

No official word from the U.S. Department of Transportation has been released regarding awards of the fourth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, but news from various congressional offices is revealing what projects will benefit from the latest round of grants. The initial tally indicates rail related projects did not fare as well as they had in past TIGER funding cycles, but several key projects will see federal money.

Regional agreement to fund Caltrain modernization is approved

The approval by the city of San Jose, Calif., is the last endorsement needed for a regional agreement to fully fund the modernization of the San Francisco Bay area Caltrain system.

MTA New York City Transit declares latest round of FASTRACK a success

June 15 saw the wrap-up of another round of FASTRACK activities as hundreds of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit workers completed their tasks along the Lexington Avenue Line prior to the start of the morning rush.

Skanska awarded contract for WMATA test track and commissioning facility

Skanska has been awarded a $66 million contract from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to design and construct a test track, commissioning facility, parking garage and other facilities near the existing Greenbelt Maintenance Yard in Prince George’s County, Md. The contract will be included in the order bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the second quarter 2012.

Denver RTD receives two sound proposals for I-225 rail project

The Denver Regional Transportation District received two competitive proposals for the I-225 Light Rail Project.

Maintenance-of-Way Challenges: Automated tie inspection

Automated crosstie evaluation systems work toward removing  subjectivity and improving accuracy of crosstie inspections.

High-speed rail grinding and metal removal

Controlling grinding speed allows for the amount of metal removal to be fine-tuned and results in improved effectiveness and utilization of grinding operations.

Skanska signs Moynihan Station contract

Skanska has signed a contract with the Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC) to complete the first phase of an expansion to New York City’s Penn Station, to create the new Moynihan Station. The contract value for Skanska is $148 million, which will be included in order bookings for Skanska USA Civil for the second quarter 2012.

TriMet Board adopts FY13 budget, includes cuts and fare changes to close shortfall

TriMet Board of Directors in Portland, Ore., adopted the agency’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

Parsons Brinkerhoff names two to management team

Parsons Brinckerhoff named Greg Kelly to the newly created position of global chief operating officer. Clifford Eby succeeds Kelly as president of Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Americas Transportation operating company.

Not quite the end of the line

To all my faithful readers, this will be the last monthly installment of “Chicago Perspective.” I thank you for giving me a platform for 13 years where my thoughts, opinions, theories and assessments of the industry have been allowed to flourish.  

SEPTA schedules track renewal project for Route 34 trolley

Track renewal for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will take place on Baltimore Avenue from 40th to 42nd Street, 49th to 52nd Street, 54th to 55th Street and at the intersection at 58th Street.

Illinois to St. Louis HSR corridor enters final stage of construction

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are beginning the final phase of 2012 upgrades to Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future high-speed Amtrak trains.

Study says Caltrain modernization could produce billions in economic benefits

Modernizing San Fransisco-area Caltrain commuter service is expected to create the equivalent of almost 9,600 jobs, increase property values and generate overall economic benefits of up to $2.5 billion, according to a new study the Bay Area Council Economic Institute released ahead of a decision on high-speed rail that could provide critical funding for the project.

LOAD MORE