KCS and Poteau, Okla. law enforcement partner for “Officer on a Train” safety event

Kansas City Southern is partnering with the Poteau, Okla., Police Department to conduct an Operation Lifesaver “Officer on a Train” event on March 7 to promote public safety at railroad grade crossings. The event will start at 4:00 p.m. at the Dewey Street crossing in Poteau.

Denver RTD recommends ‘hybrid’ approach for FasTracks Northwest plan

The Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colo., staff made its recommendation to the RTD Board of Directors to keep the Northwest Rail Line to Longmont in the FasTracks plan, but to add bus rapid transit service to address transit needs until the full build out of the rail line. The board will make its decision on whether to accept the staff recommendation or move forward in a different direction at a meeting on March 20.

UP to improve track, surrounding area in West Central Colorado

Union Pacific Railroad will improve the transportation infrastructure in Colorado by investing nearly $1 million in the rail line that runs in the Grand Junction area. Crews will be stabilizing the railroad track banking along the Colorado River. The bank stabilization project will begin March 12 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.

Toronto City Council dissolves existing TTC board, appoints new board

Toronto City Council dissolved the existing board of the Toronto Transit Commission and appointed a new board made up of seven city councilors and four private citizens.

Watco renames intermodal division, appoints several managers

Watco’s Transportation and Intermodal Services division will now be identified as Watco Terminal and Port Services (WTPS). The new name will more accurately reflect service offerings to customers.

U.S. Mayors press for passage of bipartisan transportation bill

The nation’s mayors renewed their call for enactment of job-creating bipartisan transportation legislation now pending in Congress.

MARTA Board approves contracts for Atlanta Streetcar Project, security cameras

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved a $46.6 million design-build contract for the Atlanta Streetcar Project. MARTA selected URS Corporation after a competitive procurement process.

FEC names new VP sales and marketing

Florida East Coast Railway, L.L.C., hired Andrew Westhoff as vice president of sales and marketing, effective immediately.

Westhoff has an extensive railroad background and was with CSX Transportation for more than 20 years in various finance and commercial roles.

Harsco receives track maintenance equipment orders

Harsco Corporation received new U.S. and international orders in its Harsco Rail track maintenance services, equipment and parts business totaling more than $25 million.

NTSB issues safety recommendations regarding storm water drainage to US DOT

The National Transportation Safety Board made safety recommendations regarding storm water issues that push for greater collaboration between entities affected by these issues. The following recommendation was sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation:

UTU reaches agreement with Progressive Rail

The United Transportation Union and Progressive Rail have finalized a first-time collective bargaining agreement for Progressive Rail train and engine workers represented by the UTU.

BLET, UP reach tentative agreement

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reached a tentative on-property contract agreement with Union Pacific.

Fry named curator of Barriger National Railroad Library

Nicholas Fry was named curator of the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, the sixth archivist/curator since the creation of the Barriger collections at the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association in the early 1980s.

KONE awarded escalator at Washington, D.C. Union Station

KONE has been chosen by Jones Lang LaSalle and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) to supply 18 new escalators in Washington, D.C.’s historic Union Station. The escalator modernization project was designed by Newmont Elevator Analysts, Inc. of Stone Ridge, N.Y.

FRA doles out $17 million for rail line relocation projects

Twelve cities and states will share $16.9 million to relocate, replace and improve segments of railroad track under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement competitive grant program.

Amtrak, TxDOT to study new service possibility

Amtrak and the Texas Department of Transportation agreed on the scope of a feasibility study for new Amtrak service between the Bossier City -Shreveport area in Northwest Louisiana and along the Interstate 20 corridor to Dallas and Fort Worth.

UP’s Young to take medical leave of absence

Union Pacific’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Young will take a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities as president and CEO while he is being treated for recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer.

HART names Grabauskas executive director

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors selected Daniel Grabauskas as the agency’s CEO/executive director to oversee the Honolulu rail transit project.

NS names Sinquefield director railroad police; Shackelford retires

Mark Sinquefield has been named director police for Norfolk Southern, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., effective March 1. He succeeds Al Shackelford II, who retires after 39 years with Norfolk Southern.

CSX presents Partnershipping Award to Wheeling Regional Economic Development Partnership

CSX Transportation presented its Partnershipping Award to the Regional Economic Development Partnership in Wheeling, W. Va., in recognition of its efforts to locate three energy-related projects that will be served by CSX. The organization also supported state legislation providing incentives for energy companies investing in the state.

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