Railroad News

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Durham and Orange County light-rail project to enter the engineering phase, which maintains the project's eligibility for more than $1 billion in federal money.

FTA received the revised transit plans from the counties and determined the project to be justified under federal review criteria. As stakeholders for the project explain, advancing into the engineering phase of the federal Capital Investment Grant Program is a significant milestone for the project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Durham and Orange County light-rail project to enter the engineering phase, which maintains the project's eligibility for more than $1 billion in federal money.

FTA received the revised transit plans from the counties and determined the project to be justified under federal review criteria. As stakeholders for the project explain, advancing into the engineering phase of the federal Capital Investment Grant Program is a significant milestone for the project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Durham and Orange County light-rail project to enter the engineering phase, which maintains the project's eligibility for more than $1 billion in federal money.

FTA received the revised transit plans from the counties and determined the project to be justified under federal review criteria. As stakeholders for the project explain, advancing into the engineering phase of the federal Capital Investment Grant Program is a significant milestone for the project.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) late last week launched a new workforce development program aimed at creating career opportunities in the transportation industry.

Known as Workforce Initiative Now-LA (WIN-LA), the program is designed to foster collaboration between Metro and institutions and organizations interested in helping job seekers, companies and local communities.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which prioritizes funding for many transportation projects on July 27.

The bill provides more than $19.47 billion in discretionary appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation for FY2018, which is $978 million above the FY2017 enacted level. The legislation also preserves funding for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program; which received $550 million in the bill ($50 million above the FY2017 enacted level). The bill also provides $92.5 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants program, of which $35.5 million is for initiation or restoration of passenger rail, $26 million for Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grants and $5 million for Restoration and Enhancement grants.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which prioritizes funding for many transportation projects on July 27.

The bill provides more than $19.47 billion in discretionary appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation for FY2018, which is $978 million above the FY2017 enacted level. The legislation also preserves funding for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program; which received $550 million in the bill ($50 million above the FY2017 enacted level). The bill also provides $92.5 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants program, of which $35.5 million is for initiation or restoration of passenger rail, $26 million for Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grants and $5 million for Restoration and Enhancement grants.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its FY2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which prioritizes funding for many transportation projects on July 27.

The bill provides more than $19.47 billion in discretionary appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation for FY2018, which is $978 million above the FY2017 enacted level. The legislation also preserves funding for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program; which received $550 million in the bill ($50 million above the FY2017 enacted level). The bill also provides $92.5 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants program, of which $35.5 million is for initiation or restoration of passenger rail, $26 million for Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grants and $5 million for Restoration and Enhancement grants.

GO rail network stations across Ontario's Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will receive station improvements. The rail network says that the improvements will ease congestion and provide faster, more frequent and more convenient service for commuters.

The province is moving forward with early improvements at several GTHA GO rail stations that will include secure bike parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to design, build and finance the Early Stations' Improvement project. Additionally, the scope of work will include service information digital signage, electrical room upgrades and other station improvements. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a request for proposals anticipated for winter 2017.

GO rail network stations across Ontario's Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will receive station improvements. The rail network says that the improvements will ease congestion and provide faster, more frequent and more convenient service for commuters.

The province is moving forward with early improvements at several GTHA GO rail stations that will include secure bike parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to design, build and finance the Early Stations' Improvement project. Additionally, the scope of work will include service information digital signage, electrical room upgrades and other station improvements. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a request for proposals anticipated for winter 2017.

GO rail network stations across Ontario's Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will receive station improvements. The rail network says that the improvements will ease congestion and provide faster, more frequent and more convenient service for commuters.

The province is moving forward with early improvements at several GTHA GO rail stations that will include secure bike parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to design, build and finance the Early Stations' Improvement project. Additionally, the scope of work will include service information digital signage, electrical room upgrades and other station improvements. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a request for proposals anticipated for winter 2017.

Early voting reports from local unions indicate that West Coast longshore workers at 29 ports in California, Oregon and Washington will approve a new bargaining agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), union officials announced late last week.

Tallies of the vote totals so far indicated that the contract extension will pass by 67 percent. The union's coast balloting committee will announced the official results on Aug. 4, according to a press release from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee late last week unanimously approved the $60 billion fiscal-year 2018 funding bill for transportation, housing and urban development, and related agencies.

The proposal would continue providing federal funding for Amtrak's long-distance routes, as well as for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. In particular, the bill slots $1.6 for the national intercity passenger railroad, with $358.4 million dedicated for the Northeast Corridor and the remaining $1.24 billion for Amtrak's nationwide network.

Travis Kelly, 35

Job description: Kelly supports Texas Central’s local and state government relations, media relations, and digital and stakeholder outreach. The company is building a privately financed 240-mile high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies, Baylor University

Bombardier posted second-quarter revenue of $4.1 billion, down from $4.3 billion during the same period in 2016. The company's adjusted net income was $39 million versus an adjusted net loss of $83 million during the same period last year. The firm reported adjusted earnings per share of 2 cents versus a 6 cent adjusted loss per share in 2016. Bombardier Transportation — the company's rail segment — logged revenue of $1.98 billion compared with $1.96 billion. The news comes as the rail segment's "operational transformation and site specialization strategy" continues to gain traction, said Bombardier officials. The entire company is in the midst of executing a five-year plan to improve operating margins.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver has placed its second major contract for Protran Technology's Advance Warning and Collision Avoidance Systems. Protran's product portfolio includes the Protracker Train Device, which is mounted in the cab of a train or tied into the train's monitor. The train operator will receive audible and visual alerts of nearby personnel wearing the Protracker Personal Alert Device.

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) on Tuesday unveiled a new website.

The site provides information on Canada's Class I, short line, intercity, commuter and tourist rail operators, as well as RAC's various services and initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released $14 million in funds from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program for the second phase of a rail improvement project in Springfield, Illinois.

The funds are from a TIGER grant to the city to construct new underpasses at Ash and Laurel streets as part of a project to improve rail and traffic safety, according to a press release issued by U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.).

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has chosen Arup to conduct a feasibility reassessment of a proposed commuter-rail connection between Boston's North and South stations.

Arup will evaluate design options and impacts of the project, as well as costs and benefits. The report is slated for completion in spring 2018, Arup officials said in a press release.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's (PANYNJ) cargo volumes set a record during the first six months of 2017, the authority announced this week.

Volumes through June 30 were 4.4 percent higher than during the same period in 2015, when the previous record of 3,093,789 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) was set, according to a PANYNJ press release.

GE Transportation intends to shift production of its diesel-electric locomotives and kits for international customers from the company's manufacturing plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, to its plant in Fort Worth, Texas, the company announced yesterday.

The proposed move is necessary to remain cost competitive across global markets, GE officials said in a prepared statement.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has developed a two-phase action plan to improve its system and lay a foundation for a more modern subway.

MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota unveiled the NYC Subway Action Plan July 25 following a push from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo that called for a customer-first plan. MTA says the plan will bring solutions to multiple system stresses, such as a record volume of customers, aging infrastructure and lack of capital expenditure necessary to grow the system. The first phase will deal with signals, track and power, which are key drivers in 79 percent of the systems major incidents, while the second phase will focus on modernization.