Author: jrood

New England states pursue joint plan to revamp rail system






A 20-year transportation
proposal to renovate more than 500 miles of passenger rail throughout New
England is anticipated to increase speed between stations while unclogging some
of the region’s congested highways, the Brattleboro, Vt., Reformer reports. The
ambitious project, running through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont, is
designed to improve connection times and spark economic growth throughout the
Northeast.

BNSF proposes wind energy hub in Pasco, Wash.






BNSF wants to create a
wind energy hub in the Big Pasco Industrial Center, the Tri City Herald reports.
The railroad company, which operates one of North America’s largest rail
networks, with about 32,000 route miles in 28 states and two Canadian
provinces, recently proposed setting up a transload facility on Port of Pasco
land. The idea is to haul wind
turbine components by rail from production sites and deliver them to Pasco for
loading onto trucks for shipment to wind farm sites within 150 miles.

 

Rail line repair in Wharton, N.J., Roxbury, N.J., may be done in 4 months






The rehabilitation of the
Chester Branch Railroad, a four-mile
rail line extending from Wharton, N.J., and ending in Roxbury, N.J., is under
way and should be completed within four to five months, county officials said,
according to the Daily Record. The county Board of Freeholders in April awarded
a $5.1-million contract to the firm Railroad Construction Co. Inc., of Paterson
to rehabilitate the rail line, with the money coming from the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act, part of the economic stimulus package.

Virginia makes deal with CSXT to advance DC-Richmond high-speed rail






Virginia and CSX
Transportation have reached an agreement about how to proceed with federal
stimulus spending on a new high-speed rail line between Washington and Richmond,
the Washington Post reports. A framework agreement over the $75-million project
has now been submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

L.B. Foster Company extends of tender offer for Portec Rail Products






L.B. Foster Company said
that it is extending its previously announced cash tender offer, through its
wholly-owned subsidiary Foster Thomas Company, for all outstanding shares of
common stock of Portec Rail Products, Inc., until 12:00 midnight, New York City
time, on August 16, 2010. The tender offer was previously set to expire at midnight,
New York City Time on July 30, 2010.


Vossloh wins two big contracts in Libya






Vossloh has won two major
contracts worth together around 115 million euros ($115.6 million) in
connection with the construction of Libya’s new rail network. On behalf of
general contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Vossloh
will equip around 1,300 km (806 miles) of the planned network with its fastening
systems and switches. Deliveries will extend from 2010 to 2012.

NS completes $21 million worth of track work in seven days in Pennsylvania






Earlier in July, Norfolk
Southern’s maintenance of way and structures department completed $21 million
in track, signal and bridge work in seven days on one if its primary coal lines
in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Mon Line extends approximately 85 miles from
Pittsburgh to coal mines in Washington and Greene counties. In 2009, almost 42
million tons of coal was transported over this rail line. Approximately 20
trains daily use the Mon Line.

Houston’s University light rail marks federal milestone






The NEW METRO in Houston has
received good news in the form of a federal Record of Decision on the
University light-rail line, signifying final approval of the environmental
review process on this 11.3-mile project. With this approval, METRO will
continue to evolve the design, engineering, utility coordination,
pre-construction planning work and ongoing FTA coordination needed to go
forward while renewing community outreach efforts to make sure the public
continues to be engaged in this historic project.

Push on for oversight of DC’s Metro






Maryland’s congressional
delegation is scheduled to meet July 30 with the chairwoman of the National
Transportation Safety Board, which issued a scathing report this week on an
"anemic safety culture" that contributed to last year’s deadly Metro
crash, the Gaithersburg, Md., Gazette reports. NTSB Chairwoman Deborah A.P.
Hersman recommended the federal government provide oversight for public transit
systems the way it does for railroad systems through the Federal Railroad Administration.

Joliet’s new intermodal welcomes first trains






Trains are scheduled to
begin rolling into Union Pacific’s new intermodal yard in Joliet, Ill., next
week, the Herald News reports. The Union Pacific facility is the anchor
operation for CenterPoint Intermodal Center-Joliet, a 4,000-acre industrial
park under development on the south end of the city.

Metra backs away from moving Ravenswood station






Residents on Ravenswood
Avenue on Chicago’s North Side were so upset by the idea of a Metra station
closer to their homes that they complained to officials, circulated a petition,
formed an association and hired an attorney, the Chicago Tribune reports. Their
efforts seem to have worked.

DOT Secretary LaHood, TSA Administrator Pistole visit TTCI






Secretary Ray LaHood’s made
his first visit to his research and testing facility on July 28, 2010. FRA
Associate Administrator for Safety Jo Strang, AAR President & CEO Ed
Hamberger and TTCI President Roy Allen quickly welcomed the Secretary to the
site with a brief history lesson and an update on various safety related research
and testing programs performed under interagency agreement.

WMATA weekend renovation to improve reliability, service






July 30-August 1,m
Washington, D.C., Metro will make upgrades to its track, platforms and bridges
on the Red, Blue, Yellow and Orange lines to improve reliability and service.
As a result of this crucial work aimed at keeping the railroad in a state of
good repair, riders can expect delays of up to 30 minutes. 



Green light for LACMTA’s Expo Line






Citing extensive safety
improvements, state regulators cleared the way for completion of the first leg
of the Expo light rail project by approving a controversial street-level
crossing next to Dorsey High School, the Los Angeles Times reports.

UP’s Duffy to retire; Fritz named executive vice president-operations






Union Pacific said
Dennis J. Duffy, vice chairman – Operations, has declared his intention to
retire this fall.  Duffy joined the
company in 1973 and held positions in the finance, marketing & sales, and operating
departments during his career. He is the longest-serving head of Union Pacific’s
Operating department in company history, serving since 1998.

TriMet opens first Bike & Ride at Sunset Transit Center






TriMet in Portland, Ore.,
opened its first Bike & Ride facility at the Sunset Transit Center. The
Bike & Ride provides secure parking for 74 bikes and helps more cyclists
make connections to bus and MAX. The facility features BikeLink keycard access
and security cameras.