CTA Loop track renewal work begins this weekend

This weekend, crews will begin work associated with the Loop Track Renewal project in Chicago and replace deteriorated rail and track components along the Wells and Van Buren elevated structure.

Denver RTD to pursue competitive bidding process for I-225 light-rail

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District will be advertising a Request for Proposals, after determining that an unsolicited proposal for the I-225 Light Rail Project has merit.

LYNX Blue Line Extension Project celebrates dedicated state funding

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and state and local leaders will “Stake their Claim” at a State Full Funding Grant Agreement ceremony for the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Extension Project, on Thursday, April 19. The event will take place on the campus of UNC Charlotte at its Bioinformatics Building.

Consolidated Fastfrate to join CP at Global Transportation Hub

Consolidated Fastfrate (CFF), a transportation and logistics services company in Canada, has proposed a 10,000 sq. ft. cross dock facility, co-located with Canadian Pacific’s intermodal rail yard, as the first phase of a multi-phased project that would start construction at the Global Transportation Hub (GTH) in the spring of 2012.
The 10-acre development is scheduled to be operational on or before fall of 2013. CFF has an option for further expansion.

FTA unveils new environmental benefits website

The Federal Transit Administration celebrated Earth Day by unveiling a new environmental benefits website highlighting a commitment to investing in affordable, innovative and sustainable public transit alternatives that reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and help secure an independent energy future.

Maryland Transit Authority plans summer repair projects

The Maryland Transit Administration has made plans to complete repair projects for the light-rail system and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority subway system.

SFMTA Board approves two-year budget, includes $485 million for rail Infrastructure

The Board of Directors of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which oversees all transportation in the city, including the Municipal Railway, approved the agency’s two-year budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and FY 2014. The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.

TSA recognizes Amtrak’s BASE security program as Gold Standard

Amtrak is being recognized by the Transportation Security Administration for earning the agency’s Gold Standard on the railroad’s most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE). This designation recognizes Amtrak’s dedication to building a strong security program.

BLET members ratify Union Pacific contract

By a nearly four to one margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new on-property collective bargaining agreement with Union Pacific.

The Tide hits 1-million rider mark

Hampton Roads Transit in Virginia will celebrate a major milestone on Tuesday, April 17 – one million rides on The Tide light rail.

Watco names chief engineer to Gulf Region

Watco Transportation Services named Ron Isaacs chief engineer for the Gulf Region. Isaacs will be responsible for the continued development and im¬provement of safety, track team member development and track efficiency in all areas of the Gulf Region.

Eleven Saskatchewan shortlines receive CA$700,000 in grants

The Saskatchewan Government dished out CA$700,000 (US$699,140) in grants for 11 shortline railways through the Shortline Railway Sustainability Program.

NYCT completes work on three stations, another successful FASTRACK round

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit finished work at three Queens stations three days early, just in time for the weekend. Manhattan-bound platforms at Sutphin Blvd (Hillside Avenue), Briarwood-Van Wyck Blvd. and 75th Avenue reopened at 3 p.m. Friday, April 13 instead of 5 a.m. Monday, April 16 as originally scheduled.

Vancouver station restoration complete

The completion of a CA$6.9 million (US$6.89 million) project to restore VIA Rail Canada’s heritage train station in Vancouver, B.C., was celebrated on April 13.

Construction begins on BART rail extension to Silicon Valley

The Santa Clara Valley Construction Authority broke ground on a 10-mile extension of the San Fancisco Bay Area Rapid Transit rail system out to Silicon Valley that will provide a new choice for residents who commute to the high-tech corridor each day.

Sound Transit purchases land for East Link light rail

Seattle-area’s Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle have finalized Sound Transit’s purchase of 1.1 miles of former BNSF track in Bellevue for construction of East Link light rail, as well as easements for future access to 37 miles of the Eastside rail corridor.

CHSRA Board passes revised business plan

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board passed a 2012 revised business plan that will provide for high-speed rail service within a decade, connect the state’s major metropolitan areas, utilize existing rail infrastructure in northern and southern California and provide earlier statewide benefits to commuters in the Bay Area and Los Angeles at a cost of $68.4 billion.

WSDOT, ODOT work toward continuous rail corridor goal

Washington and Oregon are creating a new partnership and will develop a plan for managing passenger-rail service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., Canada, as one continuous rail corridor rather than two separate state operations. Transportation officials for each state signed an agreement as another step toward offering faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service. 



FTA funds give 175 transit agencies flexibility in fuel prices

Selected transit agencies in cash-strapped municipalities from coast to coast and Puerto Rico may now use certain Federal Transit Administration funds to cover the cost of the gas, diesel and electric power that keeps buses, light rail, streetcars and other transit vehicles up and running.

Amtrak on pace to set new ridership record

Amtrak is on pace to set another new annual ridership record as passenger counts across its national network for the first six months of fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 – March 2012) are up 3.7 percent over the same period last year when the current record was established.

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