St. Louis Blue Line light rail service back on track
St. Louis’s Metro Transit is bringing the Blue Line back online. Flash flooding, during the last week of July, closed MetroLink service which has slowly been repaired these past few weeks. Initially, trains will have to use a modified single-track operation as signal houses that were taken out by the flood are still on the repair to-do list. Due to single tracking, there will be a roughly 20-minute delay, similar to pre-flooding regular weekend service. Repairs will come at an updated cost of $40 million. [ksdk.com]
$500M deal may solve Honolulu rail’s utility woes
Honolulu rail officials have awarded a nearly half-billion dollar contract that they hope will finally overcome one of the project’s biggest hurdles: relocating the maze of utility lines that run above and below Dillingham Boulevard. The $496 million contract went to Nan Inc., according to city records. It will be the second try for the local construction firm. A 2018 contract was canceled after the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation failed to get the required city approvals and progress stalled. [civilbeat.org]
Amtrak reports progress on sustainability initiatives
Amtrak has released its fiscal-year 2021 sustainability report, detailing progress on annual and long-term goals to reduce its carbon footprint and expand service. The report highlights efforts to use cleaner, more climate-friendly equipment. A “significant share” of Amtrak’s latest federal funding will support new fuel-efficient train-sets. Amtrak hopes to add 160 new destinations, create 39 new routes, enhance 25 routes, and improve capacity, reliability and performance on existing routes. [progressiverailroading.com]
FRA awards $3M for Chicago Union Station proj
The Federal Railroad Administration will award $3 million in funding to complete the design for planned renovations to the concourse at Chicago Union Station. The federal grant will be matched by a combination of funding from Amtrak and in-state transportation resources. Chicago Union Station is the nation’s fourth-busiest Amtrak station and the $6 million concourse project is intended to help support the growth of intercity passenger rail in the Midwest. [progressiverailroading.com]
Brightline advances Boca Raton station construction
Florida’s Brightline has topped-off construction of its Boca Raton station. Once interior work is completed, the station will be Brightline’s fourth, connecting riders in Boca Raton to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Service is expected to begin before year’s end. The 22,000 sq ft downtown Boca Raton station will have an accompanying 455-space parking garage. Brightline is slated to open a fifth station in Aventura later this year. Through service to Orlando is anticipated in 2023. [progressiverailroading.com]
