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Commentary

Advancing Passenger Rail: Early Insights From PRAC

The Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC), formed in fall 2024 under the Surface Transportation Board (STB), is an exciting development for the future of passenger rail in the United States. The committee, comprised

Metra and its freight railroad and municipal partners are taking on a wide variety of projects in 2025, including improvements to 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings. (Metra Photograph)

Metra Outlines 2025 Construction Program

Metra on March 18 detailed its program for the 2025 construction season, covering station, track, road crossing, bridge, and signal/communications improvement projects along the Chicagoland commuter railroad’s 11 lines totaling nearly 500 route

Rendering of the Siemens Mobility AP 220 high-speed trainset for Brightline West. (Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, LACMTA, Calgary Transit, NYMTA

Brightline West’s private activity bond sale “exceeds expectations.” Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) readies for expanded Foothill Gold Line light rail service; Calgary Transit is launching a two-car train service pilot; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes more than 50% of a system-wide subway-lighting upgrade project and reports on Reduced-Fare rider use of its new contactless tap-and-go fare payment method.

Congress Passes THUD Appropriations Bill

On March 14, before the funding deadline at midnight, the Senate passed H.R. 1968, the “Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025” to “avoid a shutdown and fund the government for the

(Image Courtesy of the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation)

Report: Amtrak to Control Washington Union Station Leasehold (UPDATED 3/13)

Amtrak has agreed to pay real estate firm Rexmark $505 million to control Washington Union Station’s commercial spaces, according to a Feb. 7 report by The Washington Post, which said that if the move is approved by a D.C. federal court judge, it would end a years-long dispute.

AASHTO Exec. Dir. Jim Tymon (left) welcomes USDOT Sec. Duffy to the 2025 AASHTO Washington Briefing. (Caption and photograph courtesy of AASHTO)

AASHTO to Duffy: Ensure ‘Uninterrupted Federal Transportation Funding’

“Given the shared priorities between the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the nation’s state departments of transportation (state DOTs), we are calling attention to detrimental project delivery impacts from a growing

Duffy Urges D.C. Leaders to Improve Transportation Safety

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on March 6 took action to urge Washington, D.C., leaders to improve the safety and security of the city’s transportation systems. In a series of letters,

(Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA)

CHSRA: Public Scoping Process Set for Central Valley PV/BESS Project

California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Feb. 19 invited the public to participate in the scoping process for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Central Valley Photovoltaic and Battery

RTA of Central Oklahoma landed a $400,000 to evaluate 52 at-grade crossings along a proposed commuter rail corridor from Edmund to Norman. (Map Courtesy of RTA of Central Oklahoma)

Transit Briefs: RTA of Central Okla., UTA, Metro Transit, Metra, Amtrak Virginia

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Central Oklahoma wins a USDOT grant to evaluate at-grade crossings along a proposed commuter rail corridor. Also, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) finalizes plans for a new TRAX light rail line; the Minnesota governor’s budget proposal reduces support for rail operations at Metro Transit; Chicago’s Metra is reopening one commuter rail station and closing another temporarily for rehab on its Metra Electric Line; and Amtrak Virginia sets an all-time record with 2024 ridership.

USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy was administered the oath of office by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court and was joined by his family. (USDOT Photograph)

Duffy Sworn In at USDOT

Sean Duffy on Jan. 28 was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The oath of office was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court.

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