PATH lays out plan for PTC work

Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) says it is on track to meet the federal government’s December 2015 deadline for implementing positive train control (PTC) with work to begin on February 14.

UP plans $3.9 billion capital program; Fritz named president and COO

Union Pacific‘s Board of Directors approved its 2014 capital spending plan of approximately $3.9 billion, up about $300 million versus 2013, driven primarily by the acquisition of 200 locomotives compared to 100 locomotives purchased in 2013 and somewhat higher capacity investments.

CSX to build new rail yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Kentucky

CSX plans to build a new rail inspection yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Ken., which will support hundreds of local construction and trade jobs while being built and will initially provide more than 50 on-site jobs servicing the growing freight rail corridor that stretches from the Southeast to the Midwest.

NYCT completes $54 million in station work

New York City Transit (NYCT) has completed a $31-million rehabilitation of Upper Manhattan’s Dyckman St. 1 Interborough Rapid Transit Station (IRT) after two years of work, including a new elevator linking the mezzanine level and the southbound platform.

Four teams competing for Dulles rail yard and maintenance facility

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has selected four teams to bid on a contract to design and build Package B of Phase 2 of the Silver Line project. Package B consists of the design and construction of a rail yard and maintenance facility to be built at Dulles International Airport.

WSDOT accepting bids to operate rail line in Grant and Adams Counties

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is looking for a freight rail operator to provide rail services to businesses in Grant and Adams Counties and is now accepting bids through March 19.

Tunnel work for Ottawa Confederation Line reaches ten percent milestone

Mining of the 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) tunnel for the Confederation Line Light Rail Transit project in Ottawa, ON, Canada, is proceeding on time and on budget with 10 percent of the tunnel excavation now complete.

Houston METRO tests Green and Purple Line tracks

Houston Metro‘s new East End (Green) Line tracks have been undergoing tests by dragging a light-rail vehicle up and down the track with a diesel-powered-shuttle, and crews have been performing live-wiring testing. The test covers 2.3 miles of the 3.3-mile tracks.

CTA awards station rehab contract

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board of Directors awarded a $25.6-million design/build contract to F. H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen and Associates, LLC, for the rehabilitation of the Damen, Western and California stations to improve and upgrade the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line.

BNSF plans whopping $5 billion capital program

BNSF has planned a capital commitment plan of approximately $5 billion for 2014, approximately a $1 billion increase over its 2013 capital spend.

PANYNJ proposed 10-year capital plan includes $3.3 billion for PATH

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) has proposed a 10-year, $26.7-billion Capital Plan, which will maintain and build transportation infrastructure for its airports, tunnels, bridges, ports and rail system and includes $3.3-billion for projects on the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) system.

NYCT crews take care of Brooklyn track maintenance work

For the first time, New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK maintenance program came to the 2, 3 and 4 lines in Brooklyn between Crown Heights and Downtown Brooklyn.

Rep. Honda tours Berryessa Extension Project

Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA-17) recently toured the 10-mile Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension Project.

Poll says Torontonians prefer LRT to subway

According to Leger, The Research Intelligence Group, who did an independent survey recently, the majority of polled Toronto residents want to build a seven-stop light-rail transit (LRT) line in Scarborough rather than a three-stop subway extension. The poll question did mention that a subway option would mean a CA$1-billion (US$903-million) tax increase over 30 years.

TriMet, LIRR and unions spar

In Portland, Ore., TriMet has called upon on the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) to represent employees on the issues of wages and benefits before the 150-day statutory bargaining period ends on February 4.

California Transportation Commission allocates nearly $27 million for rail projects, including high-speed

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $27 million in new funding to three projects that it says will improve passenger rail and further strengthen the state’s economy.

Metropolitan Council releases drafts of independent freight, water reports on Southwest LRT

The Metropolitan Council released two draft reports prepared by independent consultants to examine important issues that affect the proposed Southwest light-rail line serving the communities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.

MBTA awards contract to repair Merrimack River bridges

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) awarded a $24-million contract to repair and rehabilitate three bridges spanning the Merrimack River in Haverhill to JV: LM Heavy Civil Construction and Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti – CMC di Ravenna. The bridge work will allow the MBTA to continue to operate safe and reliable passenger rail service on the Haverhill Line.

The Indiana Rail Road Company and Pam Am Railways join AAR

The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) and Pan Am Railways, Inc., have joined the Association of American Railroads (AAR) as new full members.

Charlotte City Council approves streetcar funds; awards Blue Line contract

Charlotte, N.C., City Council approved authorization of $12 million during its January 27 meeting to advance CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project and stay on track to meet current and future goals.

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