Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has released a Request for Industry Feedback to gather information and gauge interest from architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors for the contract to design and build three underground stations for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project. This is the third of four contract packages, with RFIFs for the systems and tunnel & trackwork packages previously released. A fourth contract for the street-level Santa Clara station and Newhall Yard will be released in mid-2021.
Cable car manufacturer Bartholet Maschinenbau and Rostec Corp company RT-Razvitye Biznesa have formed the RT-Bartholet joint venture to produce cable cars for the Russian market.
The first deliveries of New York City Transit’s Kawasaki R-211 subway cars have been delayed until 2021 as a result of coronavirus-related disruption to the supply chain.
EBRD and ING are providing loans totalling €87·2m to finance the acquisition of 45 trains for the extension of Warszawa metro Line 2 and to replace older rolling stock on Line 1. EBRD said its strategy for Poland focuses on addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development, adding that Warszawa had joined its Green Cities programme in June.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has announced measures to boost confidence in public transport ahead of an anticipated increase in travel as England’s coronavirus restrictions change. These include ‘trambassadors’ who will speak to light rail passengers about the latest guidance and safety measures, hand-out free face coverings and hand sanitisers and encourage off-peak travel and contactless payment options. Cleaning of the 120 trams and 99 stops will be increased by 500 h/week, and hand-sanitiser dispensers will be installed at the busiest stops.
New York MTA and Transit Wireless have completed work to provide mobile phone voice and data connections to Verizon customers in the East River tunnels between 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue on the L/Canarsie line. Verizon is the second carrier to offer mobile connectivity in the under-river tunnel, after AT&T in September.
HS2 Ltd and the West Midlands Combined Authority have agreed to work together to deliver the utility diversions required to enable the planned Birmingham Eastside tram extension to Digbeth to serve the future Curzon Street high speed rail station. The utility works will be carried out by HS2’s enabling works contractor LMJV.