Rail updates from Tutor Perini, J.L. Patterson, Bombardier, Thales, URS and Northwest Railroad Institute (April 24)

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has identified Tutor Perini Corp. as the low bidder for the Third Street Light Rail Program Phase 2-Central Subway. The firm's bid was $840 million. Project work includes construction of three subway stations, a surface-level station, trackwork and systems. SFMTA's board is expected to advance a contract for the project in the next few months, according to a Tutor Perini press release.

J.L. Patterson & Associates Inc. has obtained a three-year contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide supplemental engineering services for rail facilities and third-party coordination. The contract authorizes $6 million for the initial term.

Bombardier partner CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corp. Ltd., has obtained an order for 15 catenary-free low-floor trams in Nanjing, China. The trams will serve two lines in the city's downtown districts. The order follows an order for 18 low-floor trams that CSR Puzhen received in January for the city of Suzhou.

Thales obtained a contract from the Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Ltd. to supply an advanced passenger information system for the new Jaipur Metro system under construction in Jaipur, India. The Thales passenger information system will be interfaced with the traffic management system. It will include an integrated and synchronized audio passenger announcement, visual and time information systems.

Richard Reis has been named vice president and northwest regional manager for URS Corp.'s infrastructure and environment division. Reis will lead the business operations of more than 500 URS employees in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and western Canada. He has more than 34 years of experience in civil and environmental engineering, construction and project management. Prior to joining URS, he was operations manager for Tetra Tech in Bellevue, Wash. He also served stints at WHPacific, Fluor Daniel, SCS Engineers and EMCON.

The International Air and Hospitality Academy, a private post-secondary trade school, has formed the Northwest Railroad Institute in Vancouver, Wash., to prepare adults for entry-level jobs in the railroad industry. The institute will begin its first six-month coursework July 15 for up to 50 adults. Nine courses of study will include introduction to railroading, railroad operations safety rules, general code of operating rules, yard switching operations, air brakes and train handling rules, freight car and locomotive inspection, hazardous materials handling practices and railroad field operations. The class also inform students how to prepare for job applications and interviews.