FlatironDragados reports being selected for the preconstruction services phase of the Link Union Station project, what it called “a long-awaited modernization of the historic Los Angeles Union Station, Southern California’s busiest multimodal transit hub.” (Courtesy of FlatironDragados)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, HART, MBTA, TriMet

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects FlatironDragados to build two key rail projects. Also, Segment 2 trial operations are under way for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline project; installation of new Commuter Rail fare gates is starting at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Station; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) Transit Police Division welcomes back the Portland Police Bureau.

Commentary

Byford Pushes PSNY as Duffy Trashes Congestion Toll

As reporters checked in at the Metropolitan Lounge at the Moynihan Train Hall adjacent to Penn Station New York Aug. 27 for the inaugural ride on the NextGen Acela, they were asked

Commentary

NextGen Acela Inaugural Run Impressions

New trainsets have come to Amtrak for its Acela higher-speed service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The NextGen Acela trains manufactured by Alstom made their debut in a ceremonial run with trainset

Commentary

Remembering Hurricane Katrina and Rail: 20 Years Later

In a way, the rail scene in New Orleans and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has come full circle, within a few days of the 20th anniversary of one of the worst

MassDOT Secures $3.5MM to Advance West-East Rail

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) on Aug. 25 announced that it has secured $3.5 million in federal funding to continue advancing West-East Rail.

“On behalf of our Amtrak guests who count on daily Heartland Flyer trains, we thank the Texas Transportation Commission for approving the state’s share of funding of the service from the NCTCOG and its RTC,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice Presiden, on Aug. 21. (Heartland Flyer Photograph, Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, KC Streetcar, SEPTA, BART, Brightline

The Texas Transportation Commission approves the state’s share of funding to keep Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer running. Also, Kansas City (KC) Streetcar begins full-service simulated testing ahead of the Main Street Extension’s fall launch; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) system-wide ridership in July was up 4% from the same month last year; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) celebrates the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all San Mateo County, Calif., stations; and Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Capital One.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CPKC

BNSF opens its largest Logistics Center ever in North Houston. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) earns top marks on Amtrak’s annual Host Railroad Report Card.

Amtrak Advances Three NEC Rail Yard Modernization Projects

Amtrak on Aug. 19 announced that it has awarded design-build contracts and begun pre-construction activities for three rail yard modernization projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that the company says “will help improve service reliability and enable more efficient, world-class train maintenance.”

Commentary

Amtrak Mardi Gras Service: ‘Y’all Aboard!’

This report comes to you from New Orleans where, at this writing, a new Amtrak service started Monday, Aug. 18. Following a celebratory Aug. 16 run, Mardi Gras Service got officially under

CSX Classification Yard at Avon. (Courtesy of INDOT)

INDOT Developing 2025 State Rail Plan

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is seeking public input on the development of a 2025 State Rail Plan. The SRP—encompassing Class I’s/IIs/IIIs, Amtrak, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and five tourist railroads—will outline freight and passenger rail planning activities that the department said will “achieve the state’s objective to provide a safe, efficient, and convenient transportation system” and guide future investment decisions. Feedback is due Sept. 10.

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