FRA Announces Fed-State National Program, Corridor ID Selections

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Dec. 8 announced that it has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country while announcing corridor planning activities that will “impact every region nationwide.”

Image Courtesy of GPA

GPA Approves $127MM for Blue Ridge Connector (UPDATED, 12/8)

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Board on Dec. 5 approved $127 million to build the Blue Ridge connector, an inland rail terminal in Gainesville, Ga., linking Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 35 global container ship services.

Metrolinx photo

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, STM, NYMTA, SEPTA

Metrolinx partners with MagnusCards. Also, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) releases its 2024 budget; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board votes to begin the public review process for the Central Business District Tolling rate schedule; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches a new, user-friendly website.

From Left to Right: Canada's Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

U.S., Canada Provide Statement on Taking Action to Reduce Rail Sector Emissions

Canada’s Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm on Dec. 6 issued a joint statement, on the margins of COP28, addressing

BLET Ratifies Agreement with Amtrak

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members on Dec. 6 ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak.

Images Courtesy of Bohr Electronics

Bohr Electronics Secures Multimillion-Dollar Contracts for Locomotive Rebuild Programs

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based railroad equipment supplier Bohr Electronics announced Dec. 6 that it has been awarded multiple million-dollar contracts to supply fully furnished electrical cabinets for Class I railroad operators’ locomotive rebuild programs beginning in 2024. Details of the clients remain confidential.

AAR: Volumes Up for Third Consecutive Month in November

Total year-over-year carload and intermodal volumes for U.S. railroads rose for the third consecutive month in November, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Dec. 6.

Virginia DPRT Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June.

DeBruhl to Retire as DRPT Executive Director

Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch report.

Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA

USDOT: Nearly $3.1B for CHSRA

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 5 awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) nearly $3.1 billion in grant funding for continued progress on the country’s first electrified 220-mph high-speed rail system.

Rendering Courtesy of British Columbia, via Flickr.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Calgary Transit, CDOT, PANYNJ, NYMTA

Eight new station names are announced for TransLink’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension. Also, a section of Calgary Transit’s LRT Red Line reopens following a nine-day closure; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explores the market for passenger train cars and locomotives; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) installs five new test turnstiles for a new fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces the installation of wide-aisle fare gates and a new customer service center at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport Station.

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