Bay Area service cuts help BART exceed repair goals
Reduced service hours during the pandemic helped San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) accelerate work on its massive Measure RR system rebuilding program, according to a new report. BART is now more than 25 percent complete with work included rebuilding track, power infrastructure, tunnels and structures, mechanical, station modernization, station access and crowd relief. That exceeds projections made by the transit system when the $3.5 billion bond measure was approved by voters in 2016. [masstransitmag.com]
Brightline stop is approved in Boca Raton Florida
Boca Raton’s Planning and Zoning Board has recommend approval of a new Brightline station. The project is expected to receive final city council approval in August. Preliminary work on the project is already underway including construction of a community garden and temporary parking lot. The new station will have various parking lots and parking garages decked in white and yellow, Brightline’s trademark colors. It will also include a large community garden. The Federal Railroad Administration plans to award $16.5 million to the project. [bocaratontribune.com]
China-Laos railway debuts 1st completed station
The China-Laos railway has debuted its first completed station. The Phonhong railway station is located in Phonhong, some 70 km (44 mi) north of Laotian capital, Vientiane. The new station, with a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, has a total area of around 1,500 square meters. The design of the station is a mixture of architectural styles, with a Lao-style yellow roof and Chinese-style brackets in its facade. Despite the lengthy rainy season and the hot weather in Laos, builders were able to overcome covid-related issues impacting transport of Chinese engineers and building supplies. [xinhuanet.com]
Events to mark Milwaukee streetcar’s return to full service
On Sunday, Aug. 1, The Hop will return to its normal schedule and frequency — but with a sweet twist. The Hop’s schedule will once again be 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, with service every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours and on weekends. To celebrate this return to normalcy, every Sunday in August, the streetcar will host “Hop Summer Nights.” events featuring free “hopsicles” pops and a live jazz trio. [jsonline.com]
