Metropolitan Council/Metro Transit

The first light rail train is pulled along the Green Line Extension near the Southwest Station in Eden Prairie, Minn., to test the tracks the entire length of the line. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Metro Transit)

Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Metrolinx, Metrolink, SEPTA, STM

The METRO Green Line Extension in Minneapolis marks a milestone. Also, final testing is under way for Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension in Seattle and is complete for Metrolinx’s Finch West LRT project in Ontario, Canada; Southern California’s Metrolink expands its “smart” crossing technology; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) postpones bus purchases, a station accessibility project, and the Frazer Railroad Facility expansion; and STM (Société de transport de Montréal) pursues mediation to avoid metro and bus driver strikes.

Ronald Forrest, St. Louis Metro Transit (left) and Kathy Keeney, ASLRRA. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: St. Louis Metro Transit, ASLRRA

Ronald Forrest is joining St. Louis Metro Transit, succeeding Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Charles Stewart, who will retire at the end of June. Also, Kathy Keeney is celebrating 10 years at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).

High school students this summer will shadow CTA’s construction management team and document the 5.6-mile Red Line Extension project. (Project Rendering Courtesy of CTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Minn. Met Council, NJT, SEPTA, Metrolinx

This summer, Chicago will see CTA’s Red Line Extension project through the eyes of three high school students. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan (Met) Council and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) prepare an environmental report for the Metro Blue Line extension project; New Jersey Transit (NJT) hosts a workshop on transportation and security planning ahead of large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup 2026; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in May exceeds 70% of pre-COVID ridership for the first time; and Ontario’s Metrolinx awards a rail program advisory contract to Jacobs.