Work Resumes on Hudson Tunnel Project
The Gateway Development Commission announced that construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project will restart this week after securing $235 million in federal funding following a successful legal challenge. Work will focus on excavating the tunnel‑boring machine (TBM) launch box in North Bergen, New Jersey, and preparing the first TBM for assembly while the second unit is readied for delivery. However, two major contracts for the tunnel and surface alignment remain on hold until the full $15 billion of federal grants and loans is restored. Over $1 billion has already been spent since the project began in 2023.
São Paulo Launches $US 60m Tourist Line Concession
The São Paulo state government has opened a tender for a $60 million concession to operate the 47 km Campos do Jordão tourist railway. The 24‑year contract, managed by the Investment Partnerships Programme, will transfer operation, maintenance and upgrade responsibilities to a...
Hungary’s MÁV Seeks Interest in DMU Leasing Contract
Hungary’s state rail operator MÁV Passenger has launched a market consultation for a 25‑year lease of 68 diesel‑multiple units (DMUs). The contract demands 90% fleet availability, low‑floor access, HVO diesel capability and a 1,000 km range, with maintenance weighting 60% and...
Keolis Retains Virginia Commuter Operating Contract
Keolis has secured a new contract to operate Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter services, beginning in July with an initial five‑year term and two optional five‑year extensions that could stretch the agreement to 2041. The operator will continue running 32...
Tel Aviv Launches $50bn Metro Project
Israel’s NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System officially launched a $50 billion, 150‑kilometre three‑line metro project in Tel Aviv, kicking off a three‑day bidding event that attracted more than 550 representatives from 60 firms across 21 countries. The first infrastructure contract, Infra 1, is...
Santo Domingo Metro Extension Opens
President Luis Abinader inaugurated Line 2C of Santo Domingo’s metro on February 25, extending the network by 7.3 km and adding five stations from María Montez to Pablo Adón Guzmán. The extension links 14 western communities, serving about one million residents, and connects...
India Approves Capacity Expansion Projects Worth $US 1bn
India’s Union Cabinet approved a Rs 90.2 billion rail‑capacity programme that will add roughly 307 km of track across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The plan combines a double‑track upgrade on the Gondia‑Jabalpur corridor with quadruple‑track expansions on the Punarakh‑Kiul and Ganharia‑Chandil...
Finance Agreed for Second Bosphorus Rail Link
Turkey’s transport ministry has secured a preliminary $6.75 billion financing package from six international lenders for the Northern Railway Crossing Project, a second rail link across the Bosphorus. The 126 km double‑track, electrified line will run from Gebze to Istanbul Airport via...
VR Fleets to Transfer to State-Owned Leasing Company
Finland’s national rail operator VR will transfer ownership of its passenger‑service fleets to the state‑owned leasing firm Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto. The first phase, starting 2 March, includes 20 Sm7 Flirt EMUs, railbuses and night‑train coaches, with a second phase covering additional coaches...
Argentina Extends Railway Emergency
Argentina has extended its national railway emergency for another two years via a presidential decree. The emergency framework grants the state‑owned rail operators special administrative and financial powers to expedite safety‑related works, streamline procurement, and reallocate budgets. Originally declared in...
France Tenders Inter-City Operating Contract
The French transport ministry has issued a tender to operate inter‑city passenger services on two major corridors: the 419 km Paris‑Clermont‑Ferrand line and the 713 km Paris‑Limoges‑Toulouse route. Bidders must maintain current station coverage and provide at least nine daily train pairs...
Further Delay to Alstom Norwegian EMU Fleet
Norway's state‑owned rolling‑stock lessor Norske Tog has called Alstom senior managers to Oslo after the French manufacturer halted local testing of its N05 EMU due to suspected bogie fatigue faults. The contract, signed in 2021 for up to 200 trains, includes...
Industry Groups Call for Increased Transport Funding in EU Budget
European transport organisations representing rail, road and logistics have urged EU leaders to dramatically increase funding for the bloc’s transport infrastructure in the 2028‑2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. They propose boosting the Connecting Europe Facility to at least €100 billion and highlight...