Latest news with #LightRail
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
UK envoy arrives in Israel to 'promote trade' a week after Starmer suspends talks
The UK has sent its Israel trade envoy, Lord Ian Austin, to Israel to "promote trade" - less than a week after suspending free trade agreement talks with Israel over its attacks on Gaza. On Monday Austin was in Haifa, where he visited the customs scanning centre, Haifa Bayport and the Haifa-Nazareth Light Rail project. "Greetings from Israel!" the envoy said in a post on X on Monday. "I'm here to meet businesses & officials to promote trade with the UK." Austin added: "Trade with Israel provides many thousands of good jobs in the UK and brings people together in the great multi-cultural democracy that is Israel." Just last Tuesday, Britain announced it was summoning the Israeli ambassador in London and suspending its free trade agreement talks with Israel in response to its expanded military operations in Gaza. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Israel lashed out in response, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing the UK of emboldening Hamas. Austin, who sits as a life peer in the House of Lords, was a Labour MP until he resigned in 2019 under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, citing the party's alleged failure to tackle antisemitism. He was appointed trade envoy to Israel under the previous Conservative government. Islamophobia accusations Austin faced allegations of Islamophobia in 2021 after tweeting a photo of a fake Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavour called 'Hamas Terror Misu' - in response to the company deciding to stop selling its ice cream in illegal Israeli settlements. In 2012, Austin had to publicly apologise after he falsely claimed that Friends of Al-Aqsa, a pro-Palestine campaign group, were Holocaust deniers. Netanyahu accuses UK, France, and Canada of 'emboldening' Hamas after Gaza criticism Read More » And last year, he was suspended as chair of Midland Heart housing association after posting on social media platform X: 'Everyone, better safe than sorry: before you go to bed, nip down and check you haven't inadvertently got a death cult of Islamist murderers and rapists running their operations downstairs. It's easily done.' He has since deleted the post. Austin has denied claims of racism and Islamophobia. Last week, after the UK suspended free trade agreement talks with Israel, Austin wrote a column for PoliticsHome arguing that "thousands of jobs in the UK depend on trade with Israel". He added: "One in eight of the drugs dispensed by the NHS comes from Israeli companies. Every business and family in the country uses Israeli technology in their homes, computers, cars and phones every day. "The RAF would not be able to get its planes off the ground, and British soldiers would have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan without Israeli defence equipment." Great to welcome @LordIanAustin to Haifa! In a day full of innovation by the Carmel, the UK Trade Envoy to Israel visited the cutting-edge Customs Scanning Centre, Haifa Bayport, the Haifa–Nazareth Light Rail project, and the Technion - witnessing 🇬🇧–🇮🇱 cooperation at every stop — UK in Israel 🇬🇧 (@ukinisrael) May 26, 2025 Austin said Britain's "relationship with Israel is worth billions and brings massive benefits to Britain. It is in our national interest, and the decision this week by the government to pause negotiations on a new Free Trade Agreement does not change that. "I'll be visiting Israel next week to show our support and solidarity and to drum up business for Britain. "Even without the benefits a new trade agreement would bring to Britain, our message is that we're open for business, so we'll still be encouraging British businesses to export to Israel and Israeli businesses to invest in the UK to create jobs here."
CBS News
07-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
SWLRT audit prompts more Met Council criticism from Minnesota lawmakers
Minnesota state auditors on Monday released the results of their investigation into construction of the Metropoilitan Council's oft-delayed and over budget Southwest Light Rail Transit project. The Office of the Legislative Auditor's report found "instances of noncompliance and weaknesses in internal controls" in cost discrepancies, work with certain subcontractors, contaminated soils and security. The audit focused on "construction activities and the work performed by the civil construction contractor, Lunda/C.S. McCrossan Joint Venture," the OLA said. The 14.5-mile extension of the Metro Green Line from downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie is the most expensive public works project in state history at $2.8 billion. Construction began in 2018 and has been delayed numerous times. The Metropolitan Council expects it to be up and running sometime in 2027. At a hearing Monday morning with the Legislative Audit Commission, the Metropolitan Council responded to the findings. "Most importantly, as I mentioned before, there were no overpayments and we have protected, we believe, taxpayers' interests in delivering this project," Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle said. "Southwest Light Rail, or we refer to as the Green Line Extension, is a generational investment in a transformative network of transit throughout this metro area." Lawmakers on both sides excoriated the Met Council during the hearing. "There is a big problem in the Met Council, the way they conduct business, spending other people's money," Republican state Sen. Calvin Bahr said. "People work hard for their money, and all three of your problems go so over budget, it's like you don't care." "We will continue to get these results because that's the way the system is designed. It's up to the public to rise up if they want better outcomes from this regional body," DFL state Sen. Scott Dibble said. The auditors' full findings and recommendations can be found on the OLA website . Two years ago, an OLA report found the Met Council wasn't fully transparent about the project's cost overruns and delays and began construction without securing the necessary funds for completion. The council's alleged mismanagement of the SWLRT project has led to calls to reform the unelected body.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major US city announces ambitious plan to combat endless traffic gridlock: 'Momentous'
Eight years may sound like a long time — but for Austinites sick of endless gridlock and rush hour traffic, a new light rail project just might be worth the wait. And now, after a brief delay, the Austin Light Rail project is finally moving forward, CBS Austin reports. The proposed electric light rail will span ten miles with fifteen stations, linking several popular areas of the city, including the University of Texas campus. "This momentous transportation investment will offer an all-new transit experience, running reliably every 5 to 10 minutes to connect people to major job centers, education hubs, and iconic Austin destinations," the Austin Transit Partnership announced in its latest update. Would you want EV-charging roads installed in your town? Sign me up Depends how much it costs No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Residents are equally as optimistic about the benefits of the project. "Austin desperately needs a better transportation system," Jose Villegas told CBS. He had tried using the existing bus system but found it unreliable: "It would be nice to see a different kind of technology, different kind of mobility. They're always arriving ten minutes early or twenty minutes late, so you always have to be guessing." Another resident, Ben Elvis Mettin, echoed Villegas' frustrations, calling the highway "an early form of torture." Not only will the rail help create public transit options for those who don't want to be bound to the expense and the inconvenience of cars, but it will also benefit the environment. Electric railways are key to reducing the planet-warming pollution from car traffic. Taking cars off the road also benefits residents by drastically improving air quality and reducing noise pollution, both of which have been linked to multiple negative health impacts. While the design phase is expected to last for the remainder of 2025, the ATP team is optimistic that construction will begin by 2027 and the project will be complete by 2033. "Eight years is a long time," Villegas acknowledged, "but if it's going to give us a better future for all Austinites and people who move here, might as well, right?" Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle mayor issues executive order to expedite West Seattle, Ballard Light Rail expansion
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced an executive order to improve efforts to safely and efficiently speed up the construction of Light Rail tracks in West Seattle and Ballard. In 2016, voters approved a Light Rail expansion project to add Ballard and West Seattle as stops. Both extensions are at the tail end of the environmental review phase. Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) expect to release their findings this year. The Ballard Link Extension (BLE) will connect Chinatown-International District (CID) and downtown Seattle with the Interbay and Ballard neighborhood, adding about eight miles of light rail service. The West Seattle extension will add about four miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to the West Seattle Junction neighborhood. There will be four new stations between SODO and the Junction and nine new stations between the CID and Market Street in Ballard, according to Sound Transit. According to the mayor's office, the Executive Order launches four key initiatives: Organization: The City will establish the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects & Sound Transit, expanding the work of this office to include Sound Transit under Director Angela Brady. This office has a strong track record of working with agencies and communities to deliver major transformative projects in Seattle. Permitting: The Mayor's Office will lead the development of and transmit to the City Council legislation to streamline the permit process for this major project. To speed up light rail delivery, the City will consider land use code changes, formal adoption of ST3 projects, and supportive property transactions. Resources: With Sound Transit 3 being a major infrastructure project, staffing is critical for timely delivery and regulatory compliance. Budgets of $5.2 million in 2025 and $6.8 million in 2026 will fund up to 50 additional staff across City departments to support design, permitting, construction, and station area planning. Rider Experience: The expanded Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects & Sound Transit will create a four-year work plan to ensure a safe and excellent transit experience. This includes station design, access improvements, safety enhancements, and equitable transit-oriented development to build connected communities. This project is currently the largest transit expansion project happening in the country. 'Sound Transit is a once-in-a-generation investment in our future, but we can't wait generations for it to be completed. This order is focused on making sure the City is doing everything it can to speed up light rail delivery, supporting the transformation of regional mobility and expansion of access to housing, jobs, and other destinations for Seattle and our entire region,' said Harrell in a statement. 'Director Brady and the new Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects & Sound Transit have the proven ability, expertise, and creativity to help deliver this major transit expansion as quickly and safely as possible. A successful Sound Transit expansion is key to building a more connected and sustainable One Seattle, and this Executive Order helps fulfill that promise.'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin Light Rail: Austin Transit Partnership holds open house on UT campus
The Brief Austin Transit Partnership hosted an open house at UT Austin about the Austin Light Rail design UT would be one of the stops Feedback is still being accepted AUSTIN, Texas - Austin Transit Partnership hosted an open house at UT Austin about the Austin Light Rail design. UT would be one of the stops in the middle of the line. RELATED STORIES: Austin's Light Rail: Project Connect shows off updated plans Austin Light Rail: Austinites get closer look at project Austin Light Rail: New images, renderings provide insight into project The backstory "We have pretty detailed maps where people can come see and understand what this light rail project is and how it sits in the street. We've also done a number of studies on the environmental effects," Jennifer Pyne, executive VP of Austin Transit Partnership, said. Approved by voters in 2020, the 9.8 mile long, 15 station route runs through Austin hotspots. The project is in the preliminary phase of design. Later this year, ATP will procure the final designer and construction contractors. This open house builds on previous feedback. "We have recommendations about how to advance some of those design options," Pyne said. Local perspective Some students provided their feedback. "Just seeing Guadalupe being reimagined is also very nice. It's one of our busiest areas on campus, and I always dread crossing it. I think they're really taking some steps into considering us students," Tristan Stout, an architecture major said. Attendees could also use a virtual reality headset to see what the area looks like with light rail. "This is a very interesting way to understand how this is getting constructed," Stout said. "This will all lead toward our future design phases to help optimize the transit environment for all users," Lisa Storer, VP of architecture, urban design, and sustainability at Austin Transit Partnership, said. The other side The project was not without criticism. Last month, a lawsuit claiming the tax rate for the project was miscalculated was dismissed. The plaintiffs said they would appeal the decision. "We've been ready to go to trial on that one for a while, and we still are. We're continuing the work and continuing to move the project forward," Pyne said. What's next Even if you missed this open house, you can still submit comments online. Any received by March 11 will be in the final environmental documents. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen
