Railroad News

Ben Tripousis has joined HNTB Corporation as associate vice president and senior program manager. He is based in the firm's San Jose, Calif., office.

Prior to joining HNTB, Tripousis was Northern California regional director of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, responsible for the management and oversight of the planning, design, construction and operation of the Northern California segment of the project. He also has worked on development of the Caltrain Centralized Equipment, Maintenance and Operations Facility, the Bay Area Rapid Transit extension to San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's light-rail system.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awarded a signal improvement contract that will allow for work to begin on the next stage of Your New Blue – a project that will overhaul the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line.

The $492 million modernization program includes major station and track improvements. CTA also plans to upgrade the rail signal system between Jefferson Park and O'Hare airport; replacing original 34-year-old system to improve quality of Blue Line service for customers.

Union Pacific (UP) will invest $9.7 million in Wisconsin's transportation infrastructure in 2018.

A new report from Regional Plan Association (RPA) calls for the merging of Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Rail Road into a single integrated network.

RPA says the $71 billion overhaul to integrate the rail network would be implemented in three phases over the course of several decades and would result in increased capacity, expanded options and reduced travel times.

North Carolina's Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority (GoTriangle) has chosen the Gannett Fleming/WSP Joint Venture as the construction management consultant for Durham and Orange counties' light-rail project.

Metra has announced several construction projects planned for 2018 aimed at improving track and bridge maintenance, upgrading communications and signaling systems and enhancing stations.

The Hartford Line will begin service on June 16, following a commemorative event on June 15, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

"This expanded service will transform travel options in the corridor between New Haven, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., and it will be a catalyst for economic development, and business and recreational travel," said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. "Getting new service on this line has been a monumental undertaking that has taken years of intense coordination to ensure the successful opening of service. I want to commend the team that has made this a reality. Even before the commencement of service, the state's investment has already attracted new commercial and residential development and has become the latest engine driving Connecticut's economy."

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) opened its second inland port, Inland Port Dillon, on April 16. SCPA says the facility was constructed to handle strong growth for the port's intermodal rail cargo volumes and deepen its reach into markets through the Carolinas to the Northeast and Midwest.

SCPA opened its first inland facility, Inland Port Greer, in the upstate region of South Carolina in November 2013. Inland Port Greer handled a record-breaking 124,817 rail moves in calendar year 2017, an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board Chairman Terry Peterson and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., celebrated on April 15 the opening of the first of two new bus and rail terminal facilities at 95th Street.

With just under a year left for states to certify their State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, the Federal Transit Administration is reminding those affected what is at stake should the deadline not be met: Billons in federal funds.

"Safety is our top priority and FTA is committed to working with states to help them fulfill their safety responsibilities," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "These Safety Oversight Programs will make our rail transit systems safer for the millions of Americans relying on them each day."

Union Pacific (UP) will give Missouri's transportation infrastructure a $25 million boost in 2018.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Metrolinx will partner on a study looking at potential rail between Toronto Pearson's Regional Transit and Passenger Centre and the Kitchener rail corridor.

GTAA and Metrolinx will also evaluate additional potential transit connections, such as with the Eglinton Crosstown West Light Rail Transit corridor. The two entities say the integration of transit projects into Canada's busiest airport will help connect the country's second largest employment zone and reduce highway congestion.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx issued two Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the Union Station Enhancement project and the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a 30-year contract worth $4.9 billion with LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Automated People Mover (APM) train system at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The League of Railway Women (LRW) inducted Kathy Keeney, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) vice president of Member Engagement & Sales, into the LRW Hall of Fame.

In a change of leadership for one of its divisions, Paul Lauritzen has joined R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC as vice president of transportation.

Union Pacific (UP) will invest $24.2 million into its Colorado network as part of the railroad's 2018 capital program.

The government of Canada is committing CA$18.4 million (US$14.6 million) to the Port of Montréal for a rail project that will enhance trade corridors and help move commercial goods to market.

"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient," said Canada's Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) new president will be Phillip Eng.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 12 to mark the start of construction on Montreal's Metropolitan Electric Network (REM), the new 67km automated light metro for the Canadian city.