Grafton & Upton Railroad Company in Upton, Mass., received one of MassDOT’s Industrial Rail Access Program grants in 2022. (Grafton & Upton Photograph)

MassDOT: Grant Applications Welcome for Industrial Rail Access Program

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has opened a new round of funding for its Industrial Rail Access Program. Up to $3 million is available for FY 2024 grants, which will allow businesses to expand or improve rail or freight infrastructure access. Applications are due June 1.

Patrick J. Lavin, incoming Chief Safety Officer, MassDOT

People News: MassDOT, NYMTA

Patrick J. Lavin has been named Chief Safety Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). H. Dale Hemmerdinger, Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from 2007-09, died April

UTA is celebrating the 15th anniversary of FrontRunner.

Transit Briefs: APTA, UTA, CTA, Amtrak

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases six workforce development mini guides for public transportation leaders. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrates the 15th anniversary of FrontRunner; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) expands its monthly scorecard data to include added workforce metrics; and Amtrak’s Berkshire Flyer seasonal train service between New York City and Pittsfield, Mass., will return this summer.

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.

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.

MassDOT on Sept. 8 tweeted: “Rail and Transit Administrator Slesinger joined @MassLtGov Polito [Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito] in #NewBedford today to announce 3Mil in Industrial Rail Access (IRAP) Grants. These grants will help boost industrial rail freight access, jobs, and expand rail service.” (Photograph Courtesy of MassDOT via Twitter)

MassDOT Awards $3MM in Industrial Rail Access Grants

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Rail and Transit Division is distributing $3 million to seven industrial rail access projects that will help reduce truck traffic in the state.

MassDOT, MBTA approve $18B capital plan

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal Management and Control Board voted June 18 to approve the five-year $18.3 billion MassDOT and MBTA Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2020-2024.

LOAD MORE