FTA Seeks Public Comment on Grant Consolidation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 12 announced that it is seeking public guidance on a new consolidated circular entitled, “Grant Programs for Urbanized Areas: Program Guidance and Application Instructions.” Comments are due Sept. 11, 2023.

A new station at 106th Street (rendering above, courtesy of NYMTA) is part of the Phase 2 extension of the Second Avenue Subway in New York.

NYMTA Kicks Off Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Project

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on July 5 reported soliciting the first contract to construct Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, and unveiled draft station renderings for the long-awaited 1.5-mile

NTSB photo

NTSB: Short Circuit Probable Cause of MBTA Passenger Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently determined that the probable cause of an April 10, 2022, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger fatality was a short circuit in the passenger door

“Nearly a decade ago, the previous administration cut the Red Line project at a time when Baltimore was reeling from one of the most trying eras in recent history—but now is the time for us to get this right,” said Gov. Moore.

Gov. Moore Announces Baltimore Red Line Relaunch

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on June 15 announced the relaunch of Baltimore’s Red Line, a major investment in transit to “significantly enhance east-west connectivity across the Baltimore region.”

HDR Fronts FrontRunner Double-Tracking

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has selected a team led by HDR and including WSP USA to provide program management services for its $966.2 million FrontRunner Strategic Double Track Project, which will add at least nine new segments of double track along the 82-mile, 16-station Ogden-Provo regional/commuter rail system and update signaling systems.

MBTA Approves $2.7B FY24 Budget

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on June 8 voted to approve a $2.7 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) that “will sustain levels of service while making strategic investments in safety, staffing and hiring, key capital investments, including station and accessibility needs, and design work required for a future connection of the Red and Blue lines,” according to the agency.

The new Bramalea GO Station building opened in 2021. (Metrolinx photo)

Transit Briefs: APTA, Amtrak F+B Working Group, Arup, Metrolinx, NJ Transit/UITP/Rutgers CAIT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) “strongly urges” public transit agencies to obligate remaining COVID-19 funds as soon as possible. Also, the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group sends recommendations to Congress after year-long analysis of Amtrak onboard service; Arup supports Metrolinx plans to electrify Canada’s largest commuter rail network; construction is now complete at Metrolinx’s Bramalea GO Station; and registration is now open for first courses at the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) North American Regional Training Center hosted by NJ Transit and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

“We’re proud to support construction technology that helps communities build transit projects more quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FTA: More Than $700MM to Replace Aging Passenger Railcars in Six States

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 5 announced the selection of six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars, “improving reliability, safety, and accessibility on the nation’s rail transit systems.”

“No one should go to work or ride transit worried that they won’t come home safely, and FTA is committed to making that ideal a reality,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said.

FTA Proposes Requirements to Improve Transit Worker Safety

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on April 26 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on new safety requirements that would protect transit workers and riders. Comments are due June 26, 2023.

“Public transportation is the safest mode of surface transportation, but it can be even safer for both passengers and transit workers,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

FTA: More Than $14B to Support Public Transportation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on April 13 announced that $14 billion is being invested in states and transit agencies across the U.S. to help improve public transportation, meeting local goals, such as upgrading stations and tracks, transitioning to next-generation buses, planning and designing new transit corridors, ad providing specialized service for seniors and riders with disabilities.

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