Report on U.S. HSR offers options

A report on U.S. high speed rail released Tuesday recaps why the nation has been slow to adopt HSR as a transportation option, classifies four waves of global HSR development, and offers options for U.S. pursuit of HSR in the 21st century.

AAR lauds ASCE report grading rail industry

The Association of American Railroads Tuesday praised a report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) citing private freight rail infrastructure investments as a key factor for highlighting rail as the “most improved” sector of our nation’s critical infrastructure systems.

Coscia named Amtrak Board chairman

Anthony Coscia, former chair of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, has been elected chair of the board of directors of Amtrak, succeeding Thomas C. Carper, Amtrak said Monday.

Invensys given subcontract for NYCT signals

Invensys Rail says it will serve as a subcontractor to Five Star Electric Corp. in a project to replace two rail interlockings for MTA New York City Transit.

DART taps Axion for more ECOTRAX ties

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) plans to utilize Axion International’s ECOTRAX railway ties for three miles of its planned Blue Line light rail transit extension into South Dallas, Tex.

St. Paul ponders streetcar options

As the Central Corridor light rail transit line readies for a midyear 2014 opening, St. Paul, Minn., is looking ahead to returning streetcar service to the state capital, in essence extending the Central Corridor’s ridership reach.

Ramsey, Minn., station boosts Northstar ridership

Ramsey, Minn., has contributed rail riders in excess of initial projections of 100 per day to overall Northstar commuter numbers, according to Metro Transit.

Maryland plans training for rail projects

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) seeks to coordinate with the state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to partner with labor unions, development agencies, contractors, and community groups to find, and train, candidates for two proposed rail projects.

NJ Transit gets disaster relief funds

New Jersey’s two U.S. Senators late Thursday announced $144.4 million in federal disaster relief for New Jersey Transit, which will be used by the corporation mostly to repair rail facilities and equipment damaged last October by Hurricane Sandy.

Public-private venture eyed for Edmonton LRT

Canadian federal officials and the City of Edmonton Thursday announced a public-private partnership effort to expedite Edmonton’s light rail transit expansion. The private component of the P3 will be chosen through a competitive bidding process.

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