ANSALDO STS has been awarded a contract by Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), United States, to upgrade a 72.4km section between Speonk and Montauk from dark territory to signalled territory.
ILLINOIS Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced on December 19 that it has issued a notice of intent to award Siemens a contract to supply a total of 35 200km/h diesel passenger locomotives for five US states.
PUGET Sound regional transport authority, Sound Transit, has awarded Wabtec a $US 34m contract to design, supply and install Positive Train Control (PTC) on the 132km Sounder commuter rail network around Seattle.
SUMITOMO Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has agreed to purchase Flagship Rail Services, United States, from Perella Weinberg Partners for $US 1.1bn subject to regulatory approval.
THE Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Harris County, Texas, is concluding final test runs on the Houston MetroRail Red Line northern extension, which is due to open early next year.
UTAH Transit Authority welcomed the first passengers to its S-Line tram line on December 7, when residents were offered free rides on the line in return for a donation to the city's food bank.
THE mayor of Chicago Mr Rahm Emanuel and Illinois governor Mr Pat Quinn announced on December 5 that Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will invest $US 492 in the modernisation of the Blue Line O'Hare Branch, which links the city's main international airport with the city centre.
SIEMENS Rail Systems and Cummins jointly announced on December 3 that they are launching a passenger locomotive partnership with the aim of bringing "one of the most modern and efficient diesel-electric passenger locomotives in the world to the US marketplace."
CANADIAN National (CN) announced on November 28 it is launching a $C 10m ($US 9.4m) programme to enhance the early detection of defects in rails and wheelsets.
THE United States Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved plans for the 3km extension of the Phoenix Valley Metro light rail network to Gilbert Road in Mesa, Arizona.
