Railroad News

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) next month will end an informal program that allows Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) riders to transfer to its Metrorail system during service disruptions.

The so-called Metro Option allows VRE riders to show a validated VRE ticket to a Metrorail station manager to access WMATA's system without cost during VRE-related service issues. However, in an effort to cut down on fare-payment disputes and improve safety, WMATA starting July 1 will require every rider to tap a SmarTrip card before they enter the system.

Caltrain this week is closing multiple grade crossings in Burlingame and San Mateo, California, to install foundations for its electrification project.

The work includes excavation, placement of rebar, concrete fill and electrical grounding. The railroad closed the Peninsula Avenue crossing yesterday, with the Villa Terrace crossing slated to close tonight.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) on June 9 will begin test runs along the soon-to-open CTrail Hartford Line commuter-rail route.

The department will perform test runs of the line's full schedule of 16 weekday trains, CTDOT officials said in a press release. Also on June 9, Amtrak's portion of Hartford Line service will begin, increasing daily Amtrak trains to 18 from 12.

CN and GE Transportation this week marked the completion of the first of 200 new locomotives that were manufactured at GE's plant in fort Worth, Texas.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recommended 26 projects to be awarded a total of $1.54 billion in federal funds as part of the FY18 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. USDOT had up to $1.56 billion available for grants.

Canadian National (CN) has announced plans to invest about CA$340 million (US$263 million) across British Columbia this year to grow and strengthen the railroad's network in the province.

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Linda Bauer Darr will step down next month to become the chief executive officer of another trade association, ASLRRA Chair Judy Petry announced yesterday in a memo to members.

Darr joined ASLRRA in 2014. She leaves the association on July 27 to start her new position in August, according to Petry.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will receive a $132 million grant to help fund the completion of three components of the Chicago Region Environment and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program's 75th Street corridor improvement project, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced yesterday.

The CREATE program was designed to address one of the most congested points in the U.S. rail network. The three rail projects that will receive grant funds are:
• the Forest Hill flyover, which consists of a new north-south flyover structure that will eliminate conflicts between north-south and east-west train movements at the Forest Hill Junction;
• the 71st Street grade separation that will separate the Western Avenue rail corridor from 71st street; and
• the Argo and Canal junction improvements, which will address the 87th Street chokepoint and increase capacity at Argo yard.

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Linda Darr on June 5 announced her resignation, effective July 27, from the organization she has led since late 2014. She has accepted a CEO role with the American Council of Engineering Companies and will begin in her new position this August, a statement said.

A New Hampshire city is looking to revive its passenger rail service, and has hired an engineering consultant to help.

The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners has appointed Esteban Bovo to serve as its representative on the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority's (SFRTA) governing board.

He currently serves as the Miami-Dade board's chairman, as well as chairman of its transportation and mobility committee. Bovo began his public service career in 1998, when he was appointed to fill a midterm vacancy on the Hialeah City Council.

TransLink will increase transit fares by 5 to 10 cents starting July 1.

The price of single-use adult fares will go up 10 cents, while the cost of monthly passes will increase between CA$1 and CA$2, depending on zone type, TransLink officials said in a press release.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has released a report that charts the agency's sustainability efforts in 2017.

Last year, the agency used 4 percent less traction power energy for its light-rail system, registered a 2 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a 13 percent reduction in waste, the report states.

BNSF Logistics LLC has named Nancee Ronning to the newly created position of chief commercial officer.

Ronning has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and account and relationship management. Most recently, she served as president for Print Craft, a commercial printing and packaging company in Minnesota. She also served stints in sales, marketing and account management positions at C.H. Robinson, Merrill Corp. and GE Capital.

A bridge project that will support work performed as part of the Walk Bridge Program in Connecticut will begin in mid-June.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will start the first half of the Ann Street Railroad Bridge superstructure replacement during the weekends of June 8-10 and June 15-17. The bridge hosts Metro-North New Haven Line trains.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) notified the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) on June 4 that a Record of Decision (ROD) has been issued for the next six miles of the transportation authority's Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension.