Amtrak construction crews have begun work for ADA compliance to reactivate five Gulf Coast stations, with a groundbreaking event in Bay St. Louis, Miss. (Photo Courtesy of Amtrak Media Relations Manager Marc Magliari via LinkedIn)

Passenger Rail Briefs: Amtrak, NJ Transit, Govt. of Canada

Amtrak construction crews begin work to reactivate five Gulf Coast stations, with a groundbreaking event in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Also, NJ Transit and federal and state officials break ground on new

Pictured: Stadler low-floor FLIRT DMU train testing is being conducted along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, linking the San Bernardino Transit Center and the University of Redlands in California. (Courtesy of SBCTA)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Amtrak, MBTA, NCTD

San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) reports that train testing continues along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, which is slated for launch this fall. Also, Amtrak late last month celebrated the completion of ADA-related improvement projects at two Kansas stations; the Federal Transit Administration ordered Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to conduct “an immediate safety standdown,” starting July 30; and North County (Calif.) Transit District has earned a financial reporting award.

(Photograph Courtesy of New York MTA)

FTA Issues $343MM ‘All Stations Accessibility Program’ NOFO

Approximately $343 million in Fiscal Year 2022 grants will be made available through the new All Stations Accessibility Program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) reported on July 26, the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The MBTA has responded to safety concerns from the FTA, and some of the actions involved some track maintenance.

MBTA Makes Prompt Response to FTA Safety Concerns

On July 14, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) reported on its progress to address ongoing safety concerns raised during a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Safety Management Inspection (SMI) last month. Over

(Photograph Courtesy of MBTA)

FTA Issues Safety Directives to MBTA (UPDATED)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) have been called out by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for safety violations.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb tweeted on June 20: “Today we celebrated the @southshoreline Double Track groundbreaking, going full speed ahead to make it a Region reality. With all partners aboard, Northwest Indiana's on track to become more connected than ever before, and the Region is – and will be – the place to be.” (Photograph Courtesy of Gov. Holcomb, via Twitter)

NICTD’s South Shore Double-Track Project Under Way

Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb on June 20 was joined by federal, state, regional and local officials to break ground on the double-tracking of the South Shore Line from Michigan City, Ind., to Gary, Ind.

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) 8-mile single-track extension of South Shore Line commuter rail service will run from Hammond, Ind., (north) to Dyer, Ind. (south) and include four new stations. (Photograph Courtesy of NICTD)

‘West Lake Corridor’ Commuter Rail Project Advancing

A $203.3 million Rehabilitation and Improvement (RRIF) Program loan will help finance and advance the 8-mile extension of South Shore Line commuter rail service in Indiana, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) reported on June 17.

Amtrak and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are partners in bringing Amtrak Northeast Regional daily service to Ashland Station, which has been upgraded for accessibility. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, APTA, HART, TransLink

Amtrak’s accessibility-improvement project at Ashland (Va.) Station is complete. Also, four transit agencies have earned 2022 rail safety and security awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) on June 3 submitted its 2022 Recovery Plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); and TransLink’s Brentwood Town Center Station upgrade in metro Vancouver will start later this month.

Second FTA Safety Probe Targets MBTA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is using authority granted years ago to investigate safety conditions at Boston’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). This authority came from the MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act) legislation and has been used only once before, for an investigation at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Prior to that time, the agency had no authority over safety on the nation’s transit.

FTA: TOD Planning Grant Applications Welcome

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing approximately $13 million in FY 2022 grant funding through its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning. Applications will be accepted through July 25, 2022.

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