USDOT seeking $4.45B for transit-rail projects
As part of its proposed fiscal-year 2023 budget, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is recommending $4.45 billion to advance seven new rail and bus rapid transit projects for first-time funding and to continue funding for eight projects with existing construction grants. The transit projects will create and sustain construction and operations-related jobs, and help communities provide better and more frequent transit service. [progressiverailroading.com]
Tri-Rail headed to downtown Miami by November
Long-awaited Tri-Rail service into downtown Miami’s Brightline station, now set to begin November 1st, was supposed to open by March 2017. But problems in design and construction of the station and trains have delayed the $70 million tax-funded project. The first problem arose when an engineers report revealed that platform areas would hit the steps that extend from trains’ exit doors. Platform modification to solve the issue is expected to be finished by September 23rd. A station platform rework is also underway. [miamitodaynews.com]
European high-speed rail merger approved
European rail travel is about to get a little easier with official approval of the long-planned merger of rail operators Eurostar and Thalys. The resulting company will connect some of Europe’s largest cities, including London, Paris, and Amsterdam, with a single offering. European Commission authorities approved the merger without conditions saying the combination would do little to change the structure of the market. The merged company will use the Eurostar name and be based in Belgium. [skift.com]
Finland resuming Helsinki rail link to Russia
Finland’s national railway operator VR Group said on Wednesday it would resume services between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg in Russia on March 30, less than a week after having halted the service. The operator had halted the service as a result of UK sanctions against Russian Railways, but it had later clarified that the sanctions do not apply to VR Group’s contracts, it said in a statement. [usnews.com]
