NRC announces 2021 special award winners, 2022 Hall of Fame inductions, and Safety Award winners

The NRC has announced major awards for 2021 and 2022.

Nortrak fixation plant celebrates five years injury free

In early December 2021, the Fixation Division at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak (“Nortrak”) celebrated five years without a recordable injury at their Cheyenne, WY plant.

Just for fun: the restoration of Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 #1309

Much of the recent steam locomotive restoration news focuses on Union Pacific’s 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” #4014, which has been operating periodically for the past couple of years.

Port Authority Board of Commissioners approves 2022 operating and capital budgets

Following a month-long public comment period, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners approved the agency’s $7.9 billion 2022 budget. The 2022 budget consists of $3.4 billion for operating expenses, $2.7 billion for annual capital spending, and $1.8 billion for debt service and deferred expenses.

TTC’s 2022 budget returns service to pre-pandemic levels with no fare increase

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board approved next year’s operating and capital budgets. The new budgets will return service to pre-pandemic levels without a fare increase and fund longer-term projects aimed at modernizing the TTC and addressing the city’s future transit needs.

Brightline investing millions of dollars in railroad safety and mental health awareness

Brightline is taking on the challenges of railroad safety and mental health.

MTA Long Island Rail Road awards contract to upgrade a vital interlocking near Queens Village

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a contract to Hitachi Rail STS, USA Inc., for the creation and installation of a new signal system at a complex of switches near Queens Village.

Watco

STB Grants approval for Watco acquisitions in Wisconsin and Michigan

The Surface Transportation Board issued a decision granting approval for exemptions sought by Watco Holdings, Inc., and two of its subsidiaries (collectively, Watco) in the acquisition of approximately 652 miles of rail line in Wisconsin and Michigan from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL), which is controlled by Canadian National Railway Company.

Michigan DOT announces rail-highway grade crossing surface repair award recipients for 2022

As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) commitment to improving safety and the quality of Michigan’s transportation system, MDOT has announced the recipients for the sixth annual Local Grade Crossing Surface Program.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announces investment in rail infrastructure

Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of 25 rail freight improvement projects that will enhance freight mobility while creating or sustaining more than 200 jobs across Pennsylvania.

San Pedro train engineer pleads guilty to terrorism charge for intentionally derailing locomotive near U.S. Navy hospital ship

A train engineer at the Port of Los Angeles has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge for running a locomotive at full speed off the end of railroad tracks near a United States Navy hospital ship that was deployed to provide medical relief during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amtrak

Amtrak announces Bill Flynn to retire, Stephen Gardner will become president and CEO

Amtrak will soon have a new CEO.

Government of Canada approves changes to improve railway track inspections

The Government of Canada is continuing to move ahead with concrete actions which improve railway track safety to better protect those living and working near Canada’s rail corridors.

Auxo Investment Partners develops their railroad maintenance platform

Auxo, a private investment firm, is developing a set of rail maintenance-of-way services through their acquisition of two companies in Q4 2021.

TriMet and King County Metro receive U.S. DOT grants for COVID-19 response

This week, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced grants for TriMet in Portland, Ore. and King County Metro in Seattle, Wash. to assist with the COVID-19 response.

Honolulu suffers major cyberattack on its transit system last week

Hawaii’s island of Oahu suffered a massive cyberattack on its transit system last Thursday, Dec. 9, at 1:00 am.

Metro Blue Line Extension project releases Draft Route Modification Report for public comment

The Metro Blue Line Extension project announced the release of the Draft Route Modification Report.

NJ TRANSIT advances Raritan River bridge replacement project

On December 8, 2021, NJ TRANSIT issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the second Construction Contract GC.02 of the Raritan River Bridge Replacement Project.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit to close roads for Federal Way Link construction

Sound Transit announced this weekend that work on its Federal Way Link Extension in Kent, Wash. will require the closure of portions of 30th Avenue South and State Route 516.

MBTA completes Green Line D Branch track and signal replacement project

The MBTA announced the completion of the Green Line D Branch Track and Signal Replacement Project, enhancing safety, reliability, and resilience.

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