Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MassDOT, SMRT

Louisiana Amtrak passenger service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is one step closer to reality now that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific’s (CP) $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS). Also, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will receive $2 million to use drones and sensors to monitor and analyze railroad infrastructure; and Maryland’s FY24 budget includes a significant funding commitment for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project.

Marc A. Hermann/MTA

Transit Briefs: LIRR, MassDOT/Northern Tier Passenger Rail, St. Louis Metro Transit

The opening date of the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Grand Central Madison station has been delayed due to an ongoing issue with an exhaust fan; Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Northern Tier Passenger Rail service could cost up to $2 billion; and four MetroLink stations in St. Clair County will receive the system’s first fare collection gates next year.

Sound Transit crews on Dec. 27 ran a light-rail vehicle dead-pull test, in which a train was pulled from station to station.

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, MassDOT, Brightline

Sound Transit reaches milestone on Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension. Also, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) conducts Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study to examine North Adams-Boston rail service; and Brightline resumes 110 mph testing through Martin and St. Lucie counties.

MassDOT has submitted an application for more than $108 million in federal funding for rail corridor improvements between Springfield and Worcester to restore Inland Route intercity passenger rail service. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/CSX/MassDOT, DART, NJT

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in partnership with Amtrak and with support from CSX, is seeking federal funding for corridor improvements to restore Inland Route intercity passenger rail service. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is extending the Discount GoPass Tap Card pilot program; and New Jersey Transit (NJT) is re-launching its Adopt-A-Station program.

Shutterstock/Manop Boonpeng
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WOMEN IN RAIL 2022

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE: Railway Age’s Women in Rail awards program celebrates strong women who excel at leadership, serving the community and contributing to the industry—above and beyond their day-to-day job responsibilities.

Conceptual rendering of the RLE area redevelopment near 103rd Street station. (CTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Sound Transit, SamTrans/Caltrain, MassDOT/Amtrak

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) begins seeking contractor qualifications for Red Line Extension (RLE) project. Also, Sound Transit takes over ownership of Seattle tunnel; SamTrans and Caltrain receive federal funding; and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Amtrak announce that the Valley Flyer passenger service pilot will become permanent.