Brightline nears South Florida commuter rail deals
The new year is shaping up as a pivotal period for daily commuters anxious to see the eventual buildout of local rail services in South Florida. Last week, Tri-Rail announced that within a number of months, it is likely to start direct nonstop service from its north-south corridor west of Interstate 95 into downtown Miami. And now, Brightline, which controls passenger service along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, expects to reach agreements with Broward and Miami-Dade counties within months. [masstransitmag.com]
WV rebuilding rail bridge along tourist train route
A West Virginia railroad bridge destroyed by floodwaters 37 years ago is being replaced to enable a tourism train to resume trips through the area. Department of Transportation workers are rebuilding the Trout Run bridge in remote Pocahontas County. Part of the Cass Scenic Railroad since it opened in 1963, the rail line itself dates back to the early 1900s. Floodwaters destroyed the tracks on the stone railroad bridge in 1985. The project would reopen the rail line between Cass and Durbin. [apnews.com]
Austin eyes planning near future light rail stations
Austin City Council is set to adopt a plan to guide how areas around Project Connect transit stations development. The plan, launched last summer following a $1.65 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, aims to preserve existing affordable housing, increasing housing options, reduce racial wealth and health gaps, increase job access, expand local businesses, and create neighborhoods where residents can access all their daily needs. [austinmonitor.com]
Canada seeks climate change ideas for rail network
Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabrahas called for proposals to address the impact of climate change and extreme weather on rail infrastructure. The process, part of the government’s Climate Change and Adaptation to Extreme Weather Infrastructure initiative, aims to address how climate change affects those who live along rail lines. Recent wildfires and floods have shown the impact climate change and extreme weather events have on the Canada’s transportation networks. [progressiverailroading.com]
PennDOT to consider subway for busy Philly corridor
The momentum to finally build the Roosevelt Boulevard subway continues as Philadelphia residents met with state and city agencies about the long-term future of transportation on the corridor. A PennDOT engineer informed the audience that a subway alternative would be studied alongside other transit modes like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Enhanced Bus and Light Rail Transit (LRT). It has been over 20 years since a subway alternative was studied for Roosevelt Boulevard. [whyy.org]
