Miami-Aventura commuter rail project advances to engineering phase

Train at station in area with construction

MIAMI — The Federal Transit Administration has advanced the proposed commuter rail service between Miami and Aventura, Fla., into the engineering phase, and has made a preliminary commitment to provide $389.5 million in funding for the project, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Miami) announced this week. Wilson said in a press release that the FTA announcement […]

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NJ Transit introduces first of new Alstom EMU cars

Interior of commuter railcar

KEARNY, N.J. — NJ Transit today introduced the first car from its next-generation order for 174 multilevel railcars being built by Alstom in an event at the agency’s Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny. The new electric multiple-unit cars will allow retirement of remaining single-level Arrow III cars that are more than 40 years old. They […]

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VIA retains existing Venture schedules despite delays

Cab car leads train into station

MONTREAL — Despite speed restrictions abruptly imposed by host railroad Canadian National as a safety measure on Oct. 11, VIA Rail Canada is not adjusting schedules on trips involving Venture trainsets to reflect slower running times. Instead, passengers are being given a revised delay estimate. And beginning the week of Nov. 4, the carrier is […]

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FRA awards $2.4 billion in CRISI grants to 122 projects (updated)

Passenger train next to signal bungalow and signal worker's truck.

WASHINGTON — A total of 122 projects in 41 states and the District of Columbia have been selected for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, announced early today (Oct. 29, 2024). The selected projects will receive more than $2.4 billion in funding. “Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re […]

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CSX launches double-stack service at the Port of Baltimore

BALTIMORE, Md. — CSX launched double-stack service to and from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore on Monday (Oct. 28) thanks to clearance projects that have been completed north of the Howard Street Tunnel. “This is a great day for the Port of Baltimore and a great day for Maryland,” Gov. Wes Moore said […]

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FRA aims to tighten rules for waivers that allow railroads to experiment with safety technology

Boxcar equipped with scientific instruments for railroad track inspection.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration today proposed more stringent requirements that railroads must meet in order to obtain safety rule waivers that allow experimentation with track and equipment inspection technology. The proposed rule would give rail labor and lineside communities more of a say in how automated track and train inspection systems are deployed. […]

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California agency awards more than $850 million for 11 rail projects

Train passing retaining wall in beach area

SACRAMENTO — Eleven rail projects, including a new LA Metro light rail line and extension of service in Sonoma County by SMART commuter trail, have received more than $850 million in funding from the Calfiornia State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) in awards announced last week. “From new zero-emissions buses in the Central Valley to vital rail […]

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Announcements of 2024 CRISI grants begin

Steel girder bridge over river

WASHINGTON — Elected officials across the country have begun announcing recipients of federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement, or CRISI, grants ahead of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of the full list of grant recipients. Officeholders generally have the opportunity to announce the grants to their constituents ahead of the U.S. DOT announcement. […]

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FRA proposes automated track inspection regulations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration this week proposed its first regulations on automated track inspection — but has left untouched the regulations that cover traditional visual track inspections. The rule itself would have little impact on Class I and II railroads: They’re already meeting or exceeding the proposed inspection frequency with their various track […]

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Bridge collapses on flood-damaged Norfolk Southern line

Bridge over river, bent in middle of span

NEWPORT, Tenn. — A trestle on Norfolk Southern’s storm-closed AS Line in Tennessee collapsed Wednesday, leading to a series of road closures, Newport police reported. Three roads are closed until further notice as a result of the collapse of the bridge over the Pigeon River, the police said in a Facebook post. The NS line […]

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Stadler to build light rail trainsets for Salt Lake City

Side-view illustration of white light-rail vehicle with red and blue trim

SALT LAKE CITY — Stadler and the Utah Transit Authority have signed a contract calling for construction of up to 80 new light rail vehicles for UTA’s TRAX service in the Salt Lake City area. The contract signed today (Oct. 23, 2024) following approval by the UTA board of trustees includes an initial $129 million […]

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