Bells & Whistles—Sen. Warren wants to see MBTA leadership gone
The top news stories RT&S was following the week ending Oct. 21.
Safety
Sen. Warren calls for a change in MBTA leadership
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) believes the only way the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) can fix safety shortcomings is to bring in new leadership.
Fatal Amtrak derailment was enough as MoDOT asks for major increase in state money
The state of Missouri does not want another fatal Amtrak derailment, but prevention is going to take money.
Rail Group On Air: 2022 RT&S Engineer of the Year John Cech
RT&S Managing Editor David Lester talks with the 2022 RT&S Engineer of the Year John Cech from BNSF about challenging projects, the technological movement, what it takes to work in the rail industry, and what it will take to recruit the younger generation.
LIRR Third Track project finishes $100 million under budget
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated completion of the Long Island Rail Road’s historic Third Track project on time and under budget on Oct. 3.
Washington Metro on possible track issues behind rail car wheel problems: ‘WMATA is treading carefully’
Washington Metro’s Vice President and Assistant Chief Safety Officer Jayme Johnson wants everyone to know that the NTSB investigation involving the 7000-series rail car is still ongoing, and that no definitive conclusions have been made.
New complication puts strain on Sound Transit project
Crews continue to work connecting the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension to Tacoma Link with round-the-clock and nighttime construction activity.
Record-breaking CRISI funding will help fuel ‘railroad revolution’
The U.S. DOT has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of over $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding.
MBTA has been responding to FTA’s safety concerns, but more work is on the horizon
The MBTA launched the Quality, Compliance, and Oversight Office to address the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) findings contained in the Safety Management Inspection report.
FTA hands MBTA another list of needed safety changes
Following a safety inspection of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail transit system, the U.S. DOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a report of findings and informed both MBTA and the state agency in charge of its oversight—the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU)—of needed safety changes that are in addition to directives FTA announced in June.
Bells & Whistles—Crews are pulling up new track on I-90 floating bridge
The top news stories RT&S was following the week ending Aug. 19.
Huge amount of federal funding en route to rail bridge and tunnel projects; most are on the East Coast
The U.S. DOT has awarded over $233 million to 11 projects in eight states to improve and modernize vital intercity passenger rail service.
Brightline will use grant money to up game on grade crossing safety
Brightline and a bipartisan coalition of congressional officials announced a grant award of $25 million from the U.S. DOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
Bells & Whistles—Crumbling rail bridge feeds crumbling relationship
The top news stories RT&S was following this week.
2022 RT&S Women in Railroad Engineering list is revealed
Lunchtime has forever been the moment of reveal, but the pull does not always have to follow tradition.
July issue of RT&S now online
The July issue of RT&S features the magazine’s annual Women in Railroad Engineering list along with product features covering the fasteners and special trackwork markets.
Artificial intelligence, LiDAR will help form proactive track maintenance system for MTA
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will soon decide on which technology it will turn to in regard to its Signaling Challenge Initiative.
Bells & Whistles—Largest rail project in last 30 years clears final regulatory hurdle
The top news stories of the week ending July 8.
Canada takes steps to prevent punishment from extreme weather, fire events on the rails
Transport Canada is taking action to further improve the safety and security of Canada’s rail system, especially in light of the impacts of climate change and severe weather on railway operations.
Illinois Commerce Commission commits $3 million for highway-rail crossing safety improvements
The Illinois Commerce Commission has made a major investment in the improvement of 11 grade crossings in the state.