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2014: YEAR IN REVIEW

Openings and Ground Breakings; ­Improvements and Acquisitions

December 2013
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) opened the 5.3-mile North Line light rail extension.

Officials of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and outgoing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took the first ride on the extended MTA New York City Transit 7 subway line. The extension, scheduled to open to the public in early 2015, is the first funded by the city in more than 60 years and will provide service to a new station at 34th Street and 11th ­Avenue in Manhattan.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) marked the centennial of its Green and Blue light rail lines. The first 1.6 miles of track, between suburban Shaker Heights and the Terminal Tower project in Cleveland, opened in 1913, and RTA continues to operate railcars on that original track.

January
Houston METRO celebrated the 10th anniversary of METRORail Red Line light rail.

A year after Hurricane Sandy caused massive destruction to infrastructure along the east coast, the New York MTA allocated $5.1 billion in federal and state emergency funding to implement the most comprehensive reconstruction of MTA New York City Transit’s (NYC Transit) subways in the system’s 110-year history.

Los Angeles Metro began construction on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, an 8.5-mile, $2 billion light rail line that will run between the existing Metro Expo and Green lines and is expected to open in 2019. The line will also bring Metro Rail closer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

HNTB Corp. commemorated the centennial of its founding in Kansas City, MO, with events in cities across the U.S. Beginning as a designer of railroad bridges, the firm now provides a full range of infrastructure-related services.

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro), Austin, TX, launched its first MetroRapid BRT line. The route covers 21 miles with 43 stations.

February
The North County Transit District opened the San Luis Rey Transit Center, Oceanside, CA, a 12-bay facility that serves five local and regional bus services, provides covered shelters for riders, and includes a communications/security building.

Sierra Wireless entered into an agreement to acquire In Motion Technology Inc. for $21 million.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA)/Tri-Rail in Pompano Beach commemorated the 25th anniversary of the commuter rail service at an event attended by more than 250 past and present members of the agency’s governing board, business and community leaders, and elected officials. Rail service began Jan. 9, 1989.

King County Metro Transit in Seattle introduced its fifth Rapid Ride BRT route, the E Line, an 11-mile line that operates in one of the most congested traffic corridors in the region.

In separate decisions, two federal courts ruled that the Honolulu Rail Transit Project had done everything necessary to comply with applicable federal laws and was allowed to move forward.

NYC Transit reopened its Dyckman Street subway station in Upper Manhattan following a two-year, $31 million rehabilitation project. The 1906 station—listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique design—now has an elevator connecting the station mezzanine to the southbound platform, as well as major upgrades and renovations throughout the facility.

LYNX, Orlando, FL, held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for its Kissimmee Intermodal Station, constructed in partnership with FTA, Florida DOT, the city of Kissimmee, and Osceola County. The intermodal hub is located adjacent to the Kissimmee Amtrak Station and serves both Greyhound and LYNX buses.

Metrolink commuter rail and its partners broke ground for two projects: a one-mile extension of service beginning at the historic Santa Fe Depot and an intermodal facility where the line will terminate. The multimodal San Bernardino Transit Center will connect Metrolink with Omnitrans local buses and sbX BRT, and it will accommodate other bus agencies in the region.

The Riverside County (CA) Transportation Commission began construction of the 24-mile-long Perris Valley Metrolink Extension at a site in Riverside. The $248.3 million project will extend the existing 91 Line to four new stations when it is completed in late 2015—the first expansion of the system in terms of added mileage since 1994.

The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) opened its first new platform at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. The completed PATH station will be the center of the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which will open in phases throughout 2015.

Valley Metro in Phoenix observed a significant milestone for the 3.1-mile extension of light rail in central Mesa: the first official rail weld in the guideway of the future extension.

Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) marked the 50th anniversary of its first organizational meeting. The authority marked the anniversary in celebrations throughout the year.

March
The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA), State College, PA, provided free rides all day in celebration of its 40th anniversary. CATA incorporated as a joint municipal authority on May 17, 1974.

The Alexandria Transit Company in Alexandria, VA, marked its 30th anniversary of service. The agency, which operates the DASH bus system, planned commemorative events and promotions for each month of 2014.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick participated in ceremonies to mark the opening of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) new Yawkey Station and the start of enhanced commuter rail service on the Framingham/Worcester Line.

The Ann Arbor Area (MI) Transportation Authority opened its newest facility, the Blake Transit Center. The downtown hub, built on the site of an earlier facility, has been certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council for numerous sustainable elements.

The Birmingham-Jefferson County (AL) Transit Authority broke ground for its $30 million Intermodal Transportation Center and Terminal. The new facility will replace the agency’s current Central Station and Amtrak Station.

Denver’s Regional Transportation District kicked off construction of the North Metro Rail Line, a commuter rail service schedule to enter operation in 2018, with a ceremonial spike-pulling event in mid-March at the future site of the 124th Avenue-Eastlake Station in Thornton.

April
Parsons acquired Delcan as part of the corporation’s intent to expand its geographic footprint in transportation, one of its four key market areas.

LYNX joined the city of Orlando, FL, to introduce its second LYMMO BRT line. The 3.5-mile Grapefruit Line operates on an east-west route, joining the existing north-south Orange Line.

In the aftermath of an April mudslide that caused substantial damage and loss of life in Snohomish County, WA, Community Transit provided vans to transport emergency personnel and created a temporary bus route to serve riders whose regular service was interrupted when the mud covered the highway.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County welcomed the first four battery-electric buses to its fleet at ceremonies in Reno, NV.

Omnitrans, San Bernardino, CA, launched sbX BRT service with a pep rally-style event. The 16-mile line features more than five miles of dedicated lanes, 16 station locations and four park-and-ride lots.

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL, celebrated the grand opening of its $5.5 million CNG fueling facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. HART is the state’s first public transportation agency to convert to CNG.

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) cele­brated its 180th anniversary with an event and historic exhibits at the Mineola Station. Chartered by New York State in April 1834, LIRR is the oldest railroad in the U.S. still operating under its original charter and name.

The Greater Hartford (CT) Transit district opened the Nash Zimmer Intermodal Center in Storrs Center, CT. The facility—serving local and intercity buses, bicyclists, and pedestrians—is a key component of the development at Storrs Center; Storrs, home of the University of Connecticut, previously had no town center area.

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx set off on a bus road trip for a five-day tour, “Invest in America, Commit to the Future,” to call attention to the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. He visited several APTA members, including ­Central Ohio Transit Authority, ­Columbus; Siemens Motors ­Manufacturing Plant, ­Norwood, OH; Metro­politan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority; NABI Bus, AL; and Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority.

May
Transfort in Fort Collins, CO, introduced service on MAX, the region’s first BRT line. The five-mile MAX route serves 12 new stations along a corridor close to about 60 percent of jobs in Fort Collins, offering a dedicated guideway for almost three-quarters of the line and traffic signal priority.

Vice President Joe Biden visited the Greater Cleveland RTA to stress the importance of investing in infrastructure at an event marking Infrastructure Week.

Caltrain commuter rail commemorated the completion of a grade separation project in downtown San Bruno, CA, that improves safety by elevating the train tracks above three streets.

SEPTA received a 2014 Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia for its 33rd and Dauphin Bus Loop Project. SEPTA’s goal was to modernize a 110-year-old transit hub while preserving its historic value.

NYC Transit reopened two 94-year-old subway stations in the Bronx, Castle Hill Avenue and Middletown Road, following a seven-month renewal project.

Caltrain commuter rail in San Carlos, CA, celebrated the 150th anniversary of service with Customer Appreciation Day events at its stations in San Francisco and San Jose.

Representatives of Los Angeles Metro, Metrolink, and Amtrak joined elected officials to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of Los Angeles Union Station.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), San Jose, CA, celebrated the 25th anniversary of its light rail system with an event that began at San Jose Diridon Station and continued on board a light rail vehicle.

June
King County Metro welcomed RapidRide F, the sixth and last line in its BRT system. The 12-mile route operates east-west, connecting four communities south of Seattle.

The San Diego Association of Governments and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, in partnership with Caltrans, launched Rapid—the region’s first high-frequency, limited-stop bus service. The service operates in express lanes between Escondido and downtown San Diego.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lane Transit District’s Pavilion Station in Springfield, OR, the newest addition to EmX BRT service.

Metra commuter rail in Chicago celebrated the completion of a $4.5 million project to renovate the Cicero Station on the BNSF Line.

Representatives of the Greater Cleveland RTA and the city of Shaker Heights launched construction on a new rail station at Lee Road and Van Aken ­Boulevard. The project includes demolition of the current station and replacement with an updated facility.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority instituted service on the R-Line, its first rapid bus line, replacing the two regular fixed routes with the highest ridership in the state. The seven-mile corridor with 56 stops connects Pawtucket and South Providence with downtown Providence, using Rhode Island’s first traffic signal priority system.

July
Denver Union Station celebrated its gala reopening. The project included a new concourse for RTD buses, new Amtrak platforms, and a hotel in the station building.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) opened the first phase of the Silver Line, its sixth heavy rail line. The service operates on 11.4 miles of new track with five new stations in Virginia.

Metro in St. Louis broke ground for a new transit center in Ferguson, a town in north St. Louis County.

Representatives of the M-1 Rail modern streetcar project in Detroit broke ground for the first section of the ­3.3-mile line. When complete in 2016, the north-south route will serve 20 stations.

AECOM Technology Corporation and URS Corporation entered into an agreement under which AECOM will acquire all outstanding shares of URS for a combination of cash and stock valued at approximately $4 billion. The combined engineering and construction firm will employ more than 95,000 people in 150 countries.

FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo was among the participants in opening ceremonies for Nippon Sharyo Manufacturing LLC’s Shop 3, a railcar production facility in Rochelle, IL.

RTD in Denver marked its 45th anniversary, although the city’s history of public transportation dates to horse cars in the 1800s.

August
Virginia Railway Express and SunCal, developer of a new waterfront community in suburban Washington, DC, broke ground for a new commuter rail station, which will be located in the new development, Potomac Shores.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority held a special event, “The Way We Rode,” to honor its 35 years of history.
Metra in Chicago celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding as a new entity created to oversee all of Chicago’s commuter rail operations.

The Ventura County (CA) Transportation Commission commemorated both its 25th anniversary as the county’s regional transportation planning agency and its 20th anniversary as the operator of VISTA, the county’s most extensive intercommunity bus service.

WMATA joined with two Northern Virginia municipalities to provide “Metroway” service in a “transitway,” or dedicated corridor, to connect Crystal City in Arlington County and Potomac Yard in Alexandria.

Austin’s Capital Metro introduced its second MetroRapid BRT line, a 15-mile route that features 46 stations, including 12 in downtown it shares with the other BRT route.

Greater Cleveland RTA celebrated the opening of its new Cedar-University Rapid Transit Station with a ribbon-cutting event. The new station, located near Case Western Reserve University, replaces an aging rail station and bus terminal with a modern facility.

The Kansas City (MO) Area Transportation Authority opened its CNG fueling station, the largest fast-fill station in Missouri and the bi-state ­Kansas City region.

The Toronto Transit Commission introduced its new low floor streetcars on the Spadina Line. They are the fourth generation of streetcars in the agency’s history and the first to enter service in 30 years.

September
Valley Regional Transit, ­Meridian, ID, launched the free “Meridian Fun Bus,” a shuttle that provides service to employment, shopping, recreation, and entertainment in the city limits.

VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio broke ground on the second phase of its Westside Multimodal Transit Center, a transit hub designed to improve accessibility to the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Downtown Campus and the University Health System’s Robert B. Green Campus.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority in Lansing, MI, introduced Redi-Ride curb-to-curb service in Delta Township. The demand-response service operates with five buses.

Los Angeles Metro broke ground on the $1.42 billion Regional Connector Light Rail Project in downtown Los Angeles. This project will complete a 1.9-mile segment between the Metro Blue and Expo lines and the Metro Gold Line by providing a direct connection with three new stations planned for downtown.

IndyGo in Indianapolis broke ground for the new Downtown Transit Center, which will include 19 bus bays and amenities such as retail space.

The Chicago Transit Authority broke ground for the new 95th Street Terminal on its RedLine. This $240 million project is an investment that will modernize public transit on Chicago’s South Side while creating a signature transit hub.

The Utah Transit Authority began construction on its first transit-oriented development venture, the East Village, a mixed-use development initiative in the community of Sandy near Salt Lake City.

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Burnsville, MN, finalized its merger with BlueXpress, Shakopee, MN. With this merger, the MVTA Board of Directors now represents nine municipalities.

DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx visited the assembly floor of Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. in Lincoln, NE, to observe construction of new railcars for WMATA.

October
The Rochester-Genesee (NY) Regional Transportation Authority held dedication ceremonies Oct. 20 for its new downtown hub, the RTS Transit Center.

The University of North Texas at Dallas hosted ground-breaking ceremonies for DART’s South Oak Cliff Blue Line Extension. The 2.6-mile extension south will serve two new stations, the second of which will be located on the university’s campus.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) joined the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas to break ground for the agency’s Mobility Training Center.

CATA in State College broke ground on an expansion of its main facility, which houses both bus operations and administrative offices.

The South Bend (IN) Public Transportation Corporation took delivery of its first new bus in more than 11 years.

The Rapid in Grand ­Rapids, MI, and representatives of Michigan DOT, Amtrak, city officials, and others celebrated the opening of the Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station, located adjacent to Rapid Central Station, The Rapid’s primary hub.

VTA kicked off the Mission/Warren Area Improvements Project in Fremont, CA. Safety and mobility improvements will help VTA make way for the 10-mile, two-station BART ­Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension.

November
The New York MTA opened the Fulton Center, a modern public transit and retail hub in Lower Manhattan. The facility integrates five subway stations ­serving eight lines with a ninth accessible through a new 350-foot-long pedestrian tunnel, with additional ­connections to Port Authority Trans-­Hudson Corporation commuter rail to follow.

The Berks Area Regional Transit ­Authority, Reading, PA, and the Red Rose Transit ­Authority in ­Lancaster, PA, received final approval to create a new joint entity, the South ­Central Transit Authority, effective Jan. 1.

Los Angeles Metro broke ground for the Metro Purple Line Extension project, which will connect West Los Angeles to the region’s growing rail network.

The Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority broke ground for the First Coast Flyer, the region’s first BRT service. The line will be almost six miles long with 12 stations.

St. Cloud Metro Bus held ribbon-cutting ceremonies and an open house to mark the opening of its Mobility Training Center, the first of its kind in Minnesota.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick rededicated Boston’s South Station in honor of former Gov. and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. The station is the busiest in the MBTA system.

The public transit agency in York, PA, rabbittransit, is celebrating its 40th ­anniversary this year. More recently, the agency merged with the Adams County Transit Authority and changed its formal name to the York Adams Transportation Authority.

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) launched service between the Coliseum in Oakland, CA, and the new Oakland International Airport (OAK) Station. This new station is the first to open in the BART system since 2011.

December
The Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) in Montréal, QC, introduced service on its newest commuter rail service, the 53-km (almost 33-mile) Mascouche Line. AMT is operating the new route with 30 bi-level railcars and five diesel-electric locomotives from Bombardier.

Valley Metro began installing solar panels on the roof of its light rail operations and maintenance facility in ­Phoenix. When the solar photo-voltaic plant goes online in the spring, it will save the agency approximately 16 percent ($100,000 average per year) of the energy consumption at the facility.

The Missoula (MT) Urban ­Transportation District, operator of Mountain Line bus service, unveiled new buses with an exterior redesign inspired by the region’s natural surroundings.

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