$16B Hudson tunnel proj set to start in late 2024
The long-delayed, $16 billion project to repair the existing Amtrak tunnels under the Hudson River and build a new two-track tunnel is about to move forward under the control of the Gateway Development Commission, the new project sponsor. Major construction of the new tunnel should begin by the fall of 2024 and end in 2035. After completing the new tunnel, the GDC will spend three years rehabilitating the existing tunnels, ultimately doubling track capacity. [smartcitiesdive.com]
Vegas – LA high-speed construction due next year
Brightline West says that it is hoping to begin construction on the long-planned 418.5km Las Vegas, Nevada, to Southern California high-speed line next year. The estimated $US 8bn project would connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles via a route running alongside the Insterstate 15 highway (I-15), mostly within the “meridian strip” central reservation, and would include three stations in the high desert and San Bernardino County areas. If work proceeds as planned, the line could open in 2026 or 2027. [railjournal.com]
D.C. Metro opens Silver Line extension to Dulles
The long-awaited opening of Metro’s Silver Line expansion is finally here. Commuters and travelers in the D.C. area are now able to take Metrorail into Loudoun County, Virginia — including a stop at Dulles International Airport. The 11.4 mi extension of the Silver Line which adds six new stations, extends beyond Dulles to Ashburn, Virginia. The Phase 2 extension opens after multiple delays, just in time for Thanksgiving travel. Phase 1 of the Silver Line, which included five stations, opened in 2014. [railwaygazette.com]
Tri-Rail service to downtown Miami clears a barrier
Plans for Tri-Rail’s long-delayed arrival to serve downtown Miami have advanced with a three-way agreement for Tri-Rail’s team to start training and testing to get service rolling. A signed agreement between South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), which controls Tri-Rail, Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway and Brightline, allows SFRTA to begin training e testing for the implementation of Tri-Rail services at Miami Central Station, No date for start of downtown service was mentioned. [miamitodaynews.com]
Light-rail tunnel under downtown Austin in jeopardy
Some or all of Austin’s light-rail system could be at street level downtown instead of underground, which was the vision sold to voters in November 2020. The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) is considering ways to cut costs as inflation eats into the budget for the multibillion-dollar system. Early estimates for light-rail pegged the price tag at $5.8 billion, but rising costs — along with design changes — swelled the estimate to over $10.3 billion. [kut.org]
Missouri River Runner cutback extended to Dec 5
Amtrak trains 311 and 316 on the Missouri River Runner line will not be back on the tracks until December 5th or later. Originally, Amtrak said the trains would return on November 17th. The Missouri River Runner usually runs four trains a day, two eastbound and two westbound. However, equipment shortages have kept two of those trains off the tracks since October 24th. [komu.com]
