FTA clears Hudson Tunnel proj to qualify for federal funds
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) raised its rating of the proposed New York-New Jersey Hudson Tunnel commuter-rail project, qualifying the $12.7 billion project for billions in federal funds. The FTA raised the rating to “medium high,” making the project to replace and rehabilitate rail tunnels that run under the Hudson River eligible for as much as $5.6 billion, or about 44% of the project’s cost. The existing North River tunnel has reliability issues due to its age as well as severe damage that occurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. [progressiverailroading.com]
California HSR clears enviro steps to advance LA service
The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) board has approved final environmental impacts for the 14-mile Burbank-to-Los Angeles project section. The action clears the way for full California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) clearance of nearly 300 miles of the high-speed rail project’s 500-mile Phase 1 alignment from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim. The CHSRA board will consider the final environmental documents for the San Jose-to-Merced and San Francisco-to-San Jose project sections in April and June. [progressiverailroading.com]
MTA publishes Interborough Express feasibility study
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul took a small but important step to move the Interborough Express (IBX) project forward with the release of a year-long feasibility study. The IBX would utilize an existing rail right-of-way to provide a passenger rail connection for residents in Brooklyn and Queens. The study found it is feasible to use the existing corridor for shared use and demand exists with daily ridership projections of between 74,000 and 85,000 passengers. [masstransitmag.com]
Pilot battery train service to launch in Germany
Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Alstom are set to begin a test service of a fully approved battery train in Germany. The Alstom-built Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) is beginning pilot passenger service in Baden-Württemberg. Pilot service in Bavaria will follow. DB’s regional transport subsidiary DB Regio will operate the train along the two routes. Alstom and the Technical University of Berlin began developing the battery-electric train in 2016. [railway-technology.com]
