LACMTA

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.

Zephyr Rail on Aug. 14 reported being selected by the LACMTA Board for a $50 million Construction Management Support Services contract, the largest single contract in the company’s history. (LACMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Metrolinx, Metra, Sound Transit, CTDOT

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approves a $50 million Construction Management Support Services contract. Also, Canada’s Metrolinx breaks ground on the second Ontario Line subway tunnel in Toronto; Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad opens a new Grayland Station and dedicates a new bridge over Milwaukee Ave.; Seattle’s Sound Transit beta tests a trip planning tool; and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) issues a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the Stamford Transportation Center.

Amtrak Virginia, the commonwealth’s state-supported passenger rail service, closed the state fiscal year by setting another ridership record. (Photograph Courtesy of VPRA)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak Virginia, NYMTA, Trinity Metro, LACMTA

Amtrak Virginia closes the state’s fiscal year with record ridership. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases rider survey results, showing improvements in overall satisfaction across subway, commuter rail and bus service, and is adding customer service centers to 15 subway locations; Trinity Metro in Texas is offering one week of free rides on all local services; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) “care-based outreach model” is paying off.

The KC Streetcar Main Street Southern Extension to the University of Missouri – Kansas City project is adding 3.5 miles and 15 new stops to the existing downtown streetcar route. (KC Streetcar Photograph)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, LACMTA, MBTA

The Kansas City (KC) Streetcar’s 3.5-mile Main Street Southern Extension will launch this fall. Also, Section 1 of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) D Line Subway Extension Project is 98% complete; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) honors 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MBTA on July 16 celebrated the newly renovated Winchester Center Station on the Lowell Commuter Rail line. Now fully accessible, station had not seen major repairs since the 1950s. (Photograph Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, ARTM, LACMTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) celebrates completing the Winchester Center Commuter Rail Station accessibility project. Also, Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) in Montreal is deploying a new fare collection system; and Transit Ambassadors at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) ratify their first union contract.

Metrolinx’s Scarborough Subway Extension project will bring the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 2 subway service 4.8 miles (7.8 kilometers) farther into Scarborough. (Rendering Courtesy of Sener)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, LACMTA, Caltrain

Senar is selected to develop a detailed design for Metrolinx’s Scarborough Subway Extension project in eastern Toronto. Also, two stations are dedicated on Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) new Foothill Gold Line light rail segment; and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members at Caltrain in Northern California ratify a new contract.

“Today marks a historic first. For the first time since LAX opened its doors nearly a century ago, travelers can connect to the airport by Metro rail,” LACMTA/Metro reported via social media on June 6. “The new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station represents a generational leap forward in how people move through Los Angeles, offering a smarter, more sustainable way to travel.” (Screen Grab from LACMTA video)

Transit Briefs: SMART, SCCRTC, LACMTA

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is in line for a $81 million award to extend its passenger rail service in Northern California. Also, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) releases details on a potential Santa Cruz-to-Pajaro passenger rail service; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA/Metro) celebrates the official opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center station.

WMATA on May 23 brought Automatic Train Operation (ATO) to the Green and Yellow lines, following what it called “rigorous internal training and testing and concurrence from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.” (WMATA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, LACMTA, Metrolink, Trinity Metro

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches Automatic Train Operation (ATO) on the Green and Yellow lines. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases new details about its Sepulveda Transit Corridor project; Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail system, offers riders customized service alerts; and Trinity Metro’s Richard W. Andreski joins the Executive Committee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors.

An artist's rendering of Scarlett Station, one of two above-ground stations on the 5.7-mile Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project, which will also include four underground stations and one at-grade/trenched terminus station. (Metrolinx Image)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, LACMTA, Brightline, Amtrak

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are evaluating Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package proposals for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects the chief who will lead its new in-house public safety department; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Industrious to offer riders “on-the-go” workspaces; and Amtrak and Crayola partner to promote family travel.

The West Seattle Link Extension project’s environmental review process is complete following federal government approval. (Sound Transit Map)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Sound Transit

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (LACMTA) releases its proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issues a Record of Decision approving Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension.