Caltrain representatives were joined by federal, state, regional and local officials and community members on Sept. 24 to celebrate the first public viewing of the Northern California transit agency’s Stadler-built KISS EMUs. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain)

Transit Briefs: BART, Caltrain, MBTA, NJ Transit, Valley Link, WMATA

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) announces its inaugural short story contest finalists. Also, Caltrain celebrates the first public viewing of its Stadler US-built KISS EMUs (electric multiple unit); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is launching its commuter rail fare gate program; New Jersey Transit is advancing its New Brunswick Station improvement project; California’s Valley Link is seeking funding for design and construction of the proposed 42-mile, seven-station passenger rail project between the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and the North Lathrop Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) station, which could be powered by hydrogen; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is in the final stages of preparation for the Silver Line extension opening.

On Sept. 11, the first two of 72 Kawasaki-built rapid transit cars for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s PATH system arrived at Port Newark via a Ro-ro vessel originating in Japan. (Credit: PANYNJ)

Transit Briefs: CA, CTrail, MARTA, NJT, NYCT, PATH, SacRt, TTC

Wellness centers will be deployed at all California transit agencies. Also, a new CTrail- and Amtrak-served train station and roadway safety and track improvement project is under way in Windsor Locks, Conn.; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) outlines Streetcar East Extension project; New Jersey Transit (NJT) teams with BetMGM on rail line naming rights; MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) graduates subway train operators; PATH’s first two new Kawasaki-built rapid transit cars arrive from Japan; Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) offers a ride-free week in celebration of California Clean Air Day; and Toronto Transit Commission will recognize Canada’s National Day of Mourning.

NJT: New Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Portal North, the new Gateway Program fixed-span bridge on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) situated between New Jersey and New York that will replace 112-year-old moveable-span Portal Bridge, has been getting the bulk of public and political attention in recent years. But some 35 miles southwest, on the electrified portion of NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL), there’s another bridge replacement project of perhaps equal importance. This one is located on the Raritan River, between Perth Amboy and South Amboy, N.J.

Outside rendering of the proposed reconstruction of the existing Penn Station in New York City, courtesy of the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

New York State, City Agree on Penn Station Funding Framework

The state and city of New York have agreed on a plan to help cover reconstruction costs and future expansion of Penn Station as well as revitalization of the surrounding area.

The Gateway Program will eventually double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York. (GDC)

N.Y., N.J. Sign Funding Agreement for Phase I Gateway

The governors of New York and New Jersey on July 5 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining sources, uses and timing of funding on behalf of the states for the Portal North Bridge and Hudson Tunnel projects.

Rendering of the proposed reconstruction of the existing Penn Station in New York City, courtesy of the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul

RFP Released for NY Penn Station Reconstruction

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are requesting proposals from architecture and engineering firms for New York Penn Station reconstruction.

Among the NJT Board’s recent actions was the approval of an approximately $6.08 million contract with Union Paving for the first construction phase of the Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility project.

NJT Advances Lackawanna Cutoff, Car Storage, Fare Upgrade Projects

The New Jersey Transit (NJT) Board of Directors on April 13 moved forward to restore passenger rail service along the Lackawanna Cutoff with the approval of a rock tunnel rehabilitation contract. In addition, it signed off on a railcar storage and inspection facility construction contract and on a fare card stock contract.

Portal North—part of the massive Gateway Program, which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York—will replace the 110-year-old Portal Bridge, a mechanical-trouble-plagued swing bridge built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1910 as part of its New York Improvements project.

Portal North Builder Gets Official ‘Go’ From NJT

New Jersey Transit has issued a “Notice to Proceed” to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) for construction of Portal North Bridge, which is slated to take approximately five and a half years to complete.

The Board of Directors at Denver RTD has authorized the agency’s General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson (pictured ninth from left) to enter into a successor three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, which represents two-thirds of RTD employees.

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD, NJ Transit

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board has authorized a new contract for union employees. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) is creating its first-ever Sustainability Plan.

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