Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is planning a new station in the Treasure Coast region. On Oct. 26, it released an RFP to determine the location. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, City of Edmonton, Houston Metro, MassDOT, NYMTA

Brightline launches a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new intercity passenger rail station in Florida’s Treasure Coast region. Also, the long-awaited Valley Line Southeast LRT will open next month in Edmonton, Alberta; Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) selects Jacobs as a transit-oriented development advisor; Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) applies for U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SMART grants for rail safety projects; and Fitch upgrades New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) credit rating and rating outlook.

One of the projects that USDOT and Kansas City, Mo., could move forward under a new partnership agreement is the bi-state east-west streetcar extension. Valued at $1.5 billion, it could link the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kans., in the east to the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Mo., in the west. (Screenshot of KC Streetcar video)

USDOT, Kansas City Team to Deliver Mobility, Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Oct. 24 established an Emerging Projects Agreement with Kansas City, Mo., to “explore opportunities for innovative project planning, procurement, financing and delivery” that could include using Build America Bureau-provided low-interest loans as well as technical assistance grants. Eight projects valued at more than $15 billion are being considered under the agreement; two are rail related.

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

$2.5MM for USDOT Climate and Transportation Research Initiative

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Oct. 3 announced a funding opportunity to establish the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Climate and Transportation Research Initiative funded at $2.5 million for the first

Commentary

Government Shutdown Prospects, Impacts on USDOT, Modes

It does look like I may eat my words from the 2023 Commuter Rail Coalition (CRC) Summit—held Sept. 18-20 in Chicago—where I predicted we would not see a government shutdown. At least a partial

CRC’s 2023 Passenger Rail Law Workshop Scheduled for Nov. 6-7

Join government attorneys from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), as well as seasoned practitioners with decades of experience and in-depth understanding of the federal laws,

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

FRA: $1.4B in Infrastructure Funding Through CRISI Program

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Sept. 25 that it has invested more than $1.4 billion from President Biden’s Infrastructure Law into 70 rail improvement projects in 25 states and Washington, D.C.

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad on Aug. 23 reported celebrating the completion of its France Road rail yard expansion project. (NOPB Photograph)

NOPB Wraps Up France Road Rail-Yard Expansion

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) has enlarged the France Road Rail Yard, boosting its capacity to switch, interchange and store railcars. The Class III can now accommodate an additional 220 storage

AAR: Class I’s Remain Committed to ‘Appropriate Confidential Close-Call Reporting’

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in an Aug. 24 letter provided a progress report to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose on the Class I railroads’ pending

The PCIP project will include systemwide upgrades to the Coos Bay Rail Line.

Port of Coos Bay Submits Mega Grant Proposal to Support Oregon Intermodal Project

Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and NorthPoint Development have submitted a Mega Grant proposal to support the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project, which will create a new gateway for West Coast imports and exports for the movement of containers through the Port.

“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 Seeks Comment on Updated National Public Transportation Safety Plan (UPDATED Aug. 8)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 31 released an updated version of the National Public Transportation Safety Plan encouraging the public to submit comments on the proposed changes.

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