Colorado rail proposal chugs forward with money to assess viability
Colorado transportation leaders have cobbled together the last of nearly $4 million needed for studies that aim to assess the viability of a Front Range passenger railway. In about two years, the resulting studies could give officials of a soon-to-be-established taxing district plenty of fuel for debate, along with solidifying the basis to ask voters to kick in serious money. Early estimates have put the cost for a starter system — likely to be operated by Amtrak in a partnership — at $1.7-$2.8 billion. With as many as six trains a day the railway would connect cities including Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins. [denverpost.com]
Los Angeles Metro installs earthquake early warning system
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) and Early Warning Labs have partnered to install a new earthquake early warning system. The system, ShakeAlert, is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and detects earthquakes of magnitude 4.8 or greater. It alerts agencies to help protect people, critical systems, equipment and infrastructure within seconds of the initial energy radiating from the epicenter. ShakeAlert will be deployed at 26 L.A. Metro facilities. It’s deployment is believed to be the nation’s largest installation of the system at a transit agency. [masstransitmag.com]
An old B&O branch may enable an extension in Western Maryland
Public transit has become increasingly associated with America’s growing partisan divide. But in Maryland’s largely red Washington County, an unlikely coalition of a Republican state senator, a DC-area transit advocate, and a bipartisan group of state legislators is pushing for an extension of the MARC Brunswick Line to Hagerstown. That’s partly because the most likely route for the extension has largely already been built. The old B&O Railroad line hasn’t seen service since 1975. But, now, thanks to recent legislation, it may become the next MARC extension. [ggwash.org]
TransLink advocates quadrupling Vancouver’s rapid transit network
The Vancouver region’s transport authority, TransLink, has published the full draft of Transport 2050, a report outlining a 30-year vision for the development of transport in area. The document contains more than 100 recommendations. These include quadrupling the rapid transit network by building 300 km of light metro, metro, light rail or bus rapid transit routes and supporting planning for a potential cross-border high speed rail service between British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. [railwaygazette.com]
Building the UK’s Net Zero Railway will boost jobs and economy
A new study has found that building the UK’s net zero railway could lead to the creation of approximately 6,000 jobs. It would also generate vast economic benefits. The study assessed the benefits that could come from electrifying remaining parts of the UK’s rail network and building the hydrogen, battery and electric trains needed where electrification isn’t an option. The UK rail network is the single largest consumer of electricity in the country. A government commitment to fund its decarbonisation would therefore drive investment and create more jobs in sectors such as renewables according to the study. [railway-news.com]
