Jim Blaze photo

Amtrak Petitions FRA to Retire Maryland Fixed Wayside Signals

Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to retire fixed wayside signals as automatic block points on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Washington, line (a Northeast Corridor branch), according to a notice in the Federal Register’s Jan. 17 edition.

Watch: Central Valley Training Center Celebrates 2022 Graduates

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Dec. 9 celebrated the seventh cohort in the labor industry to complete the Central Valley Training Center’s 12-week pre-apprenticeship program in Selma, Calif.

U.S. DOT announces over $573 million in funding for new grade crossing elimination program

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing more than $573 million in available grant funding this year alone for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.

FRA announces new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program for intercity passenger rail service

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established the new Corridor Identification and Development (ID) Program.

U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General says FRA automated track inspections need improvement

The U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General has reported that the Federal Railroad Administration needs to improve its automated track inspection program, and issued six recommendations for doing so.

BNSF, FRA automated track inspection dispute in federal court

This piece by Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William Vantuono appeared in the magazine’s news feed on Thursday, April 21. This court case addresses a very important issue, so we are reproducing it here. DCL

FRA Administrator Bose urges STB to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service

FRA Administrator Amit Bose testified on behalf of the Department at the Surface Transportation Board Hearing on Amtrak’s application seeking to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast (Docket No. FD 36496).

FRA slots track safety symposium

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is holding its first-ever Track & Roadway Workplace Safety Symposium on April 5-7 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in Missouri; attendance is free.

Amtrak CEO confirms which two rail projects are a priority with new funding

Waiting for a huge increase in allowance, you can’t blame Amtrak for making a wish list.

Metra starts work to rebuild Grayland Station, replace bridge over Milwaukee Ave.

Metra is working on a key rebuilding and replacement project on the railroad.

FRA: Proper safety checks by BNSF could have prevented December derailment

A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report says vandalism may have caused the derailment of a BNSF train in Custer, Wash., back in December. The FRA, however, has not cleared BNSF of any wrongdoing.

FRA to fund grants for rail improvement opportunities

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration today announced a notice of funding opportunity, making available nearly $362 million through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program.

FRA and California resolve dispute over Cooperative Agreement

The FRA and California are ready to work together again toward the development of high-speed rail.

California High-Speed Rail Authority meets federal funding deadline well ahead of schedule

About ten days ago, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) secured federal funding prior to the deadline.

Phoenix, Ariz., light-rail project receives more federal grant money

A U.S. DOT grant will help complete the South Central light-rail extension project in Phoenix, Ariz. The project will receive an additional $638 million, with $530 million coming from the Federal Transit

Bells & Whistles—Texas Central needs permits for high-speed rail construction

Permits, a lawsuit and the Texas state legislature are in the way of high-speed rail project More rail tunnel problems for San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency Maryland is ready to seek new

Bells & Whistles—Light-rail contractor tries to prove COVID-19 caused delays, cost overruns

Four of eight and six of seven—LIRR Expansion Project burns through summer FRA publishes Final Rule on rail integrity and track safety standards Phoenix appears primed and ready for I-10 light-rail extension

Next stop for Texas high-speed rail: design and construction

The U.S. DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released the final Rule of Particular Applicability (RPA) and the Record of Decision (ROD) for Texas Central Railroad, LLC, marking a major achievement for

Bells & Whistles—New details on Sound Transit hi-rail accident

Federal funding allocations announced for four transit infrastructure projects. More details emerge from Sound Transit hi-rail accident. FRA announces rail inspection technology rule to improve track safety. MBTA approves $403.5 million for

Federal Railroad Administration announces rail inspection technology rule to improve track safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today submitted to the Federal Register a final rule allowing railroads to use ultrasonic inspection technology, augmented with global positioning system (GPS) technology,