The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has made available about $891 million in federal funding for 12 transit infrastructure projects across the country. The funding “will be used to advance the readiness of projects for a construction grant agreement or a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). Funding is provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $1.25 million in funding to demonstrate and evaluate innovative technologies and designs to improve the state of good repair for transit agencies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced approximately 15.5 million cloth facial coverings will be sent to the transportation workforce.
As part of the Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) Program, Caltrain recently placed the first EMU (electric multiple-unit) trainset from Stadler Rail on the 25KV-electrified test track at the builder’s Salt Lake City manufacturing facility.
Railway Track & Structures Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with transit mapper and author Christof Spieler on transit systems in the U.S., Ottawa’s efficient passenger rail line, transit life after COVID-19, and more.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced the recipients of more than $302 million in grant funds—to fund 12 projects in nine states—under the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (Partnership Program) to help repair and rehabilitate railroad infrastructure across the country.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is releasing the project-level draft environmental document for the approximately 14-mile Burbank to Los Angeles Project Section. The document for the Southern California project section will be available for public review and comment starting on Friday, May 29.
Amtrak submitted a letter to Congress outlining an additional $1.475 billion in supplemental funding needed in FY 2021. The additional funding is necessary for Amtrak to operate minimum service levels across the passenger rail network and continue capital investments for the future, the letter said.
As Amtrak enters it 50th year, many of its schedules bear little resemblance to the service that was offered a mere two months ago. President and CEO Richard Anderson is out (though serving in a transitional role), and William Flynn is in. Will that change at the top mean much to Amtrak customers and supporters? The COVID-19 pandemic has knocked out a large portion of Amtrak service, as well as much local transit. Still, the nation will come back to life in some fashion, someday. How will Amtrak participate in the recovery? Anything can happen in these unpredictable times. What could happen in Amtrak’s possibly most-pivotal year?
Amtrak’s new Acela fleet, scheduled to enter service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in 2021, continues to progress with its high-speed testing at Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colo., as the first Acela prototype completed another milestone by traveling at speeds up to 165 mph, although the train’s initial top operating speed will be 160 mph.
