Feds make $101.4 million available for clean-fuel technologies in transit

Transit providers will be able to compete for a share of $101.4 million in federal funding by proposing innovative projects that create green jobs, promote the use of clean fuels and cut the nation’s dependence on oil.

"This money supports President Obama’s plan to improve the environment and secure America’s energy future," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "These investments will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans, all while reducing our dependence on oil, curbing air pollution and easing pain at the gas pump."

The money is being provided competitively through the Federal Transit Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 Sustainability Initiative, which includes funding from two programs: $51.5 million from FTA’s Clean Fuels Grant program and $49.9 million from its Transit Investment in Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction III program.

Clean Fuels grant recipients will be chosen based on their ability to help communities achieve or maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and carbon monoxide, while supporting emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion technologies for transit buses.

TIGGER III grants will be awarded based on a project’s ability to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and provide a return on the investment.

 

Detroit’s Woodward LRT project route finalized, FEIS signed

The Federal Transit Administration and City of Detroit have co-signed a final environmental impact statement for Detroit’s Woodward Light Rail project.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said the signing of the FEIS is the latest step in a process that will result in the entering of a final Record of Decision by the FTA on September 1. It will clear the way for the city to use the $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said was being awarded to the city during his visit last August.

The ROD will lay out the guidelines for expenditures of more than $300 million in federal funds the city will apply for through the federal New Starts process. The city council has approved the issuance of $75 million in bonds to provide a portion of the local match. A group of business and civic leaders has pledged an additional $100 million in funding. An additional $12.5 million in federal and state grants bring the project investment to more than $500 million.

The FEIS lays out a route for the project on Woodward stretching from the heart of
Downtown Detroit to Eight Mile Rd., with 19 passenger stations.

To view the detailed criteria of the FEIS process, visit the City of Detroit’s website.

 

 

RMI appointments two to executive senior staff

RMI has appointed new executive positions to its senior staff with the addition of Paul Pascutti, vice president of sales and the promotion of Kirk Knauff to senior vice president of corporate marketing and services.

"Both Kirk and Paul have demonstrated a consistent level of strategic leadership. Each has played a key role in RMI’s rapid growth over the past 12 months, and I look forward to the integral role each will play in RMI’s future," said RMI Chairman and CEO Pete Kleifgen.

Paul Pascutti joined RMI in 1987 and most recently served as vice president of international sales with responsibility for leading sales engagements outside of North America.

Kirk Knauff joined RMI in 2004 and has most recently served as vice president of marketing and services where he was responsible for commercial strategy and services deployment.

Wabtec acquires transit aftermarket parts business from GE Transportation

Wabtec Corp. has acquired a transit aftermarket parts business from GE Transportation. The business, which has approximately $15 million in annual sales, provides parts for propulsion and control systems for the passenger transit car aftermarket in North America. Wabtec expects the transaction to be accretive in the first year.

"Nearly 5,000 transit cars in North America contain these GE components, giving Wabtec the opportunity to expand our content on a substantial installed base of rolling stock as transit agencies overhaul and maintain their equipment," said Albert Neupaver, Wabtec’s president and chief executive officer.

The product lines include AC and DC traction motors and related components and electronic control systems, including contactors and relays. These capabilities will become part of Wabtec Global Services, which operates a network of eight service centers in North America.

 

U.S. Development Group to expand St. James, La., terminal

U.S. Development Group LLC, a Houston-based developer of unit train logistics and terminal facilities, is expanding its St. James Rail Terminal, a crude oil and condensate handling and distribution hub in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. It is expected to be completed by Q4 2011.

The expansion will double the terminal’s current capacity to 130,000 barrels, or two unit trains, per day.

USDG is actively developing several new origin and destination hub facilities. The company plans to construct five such facilities within the next 18 months in order to extend its crude oil rail network solutions. The expanding USDG network will offer capacity for significantly higher rail volumes of oil and condensate from the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara and other major production areas into refining and oil distribution centers on the East, Gulf and West coasts of North America.

"Since beginning operations in summer 2010, our St. James terminal has experienced strong demand from producers and marketers looking to obtain the best value for their oil. In addition, the St. James Rail Terminal allows our refiner/blender customers to benefit from a steady supply of high-quality sweet crude," said Mike Day, U.S. Development Group vice president.

 

Amtrak received $562.9 million RRIF loan for new generation electric locomotives

Amtrak has received a $562.9 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan to fund the company’s purchase of 70 new generation energy-efficient electric locomotives as part of its plan to modernize and expand its fleet equipment.

"As a result of the RRIF loan announced by the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak’s purchase of 70 new, energy efficient and higher performing electric locomotives is fully funded. These locomotives will operate on the Northeast and Keystone Corridors beginning in 2013, replacing units in service between 20 and 30 years with average mileage of 3.5 million miles traveled.

The RRIF loan from the FRA totaling $562.9 million includes $465.9 million for the 70 electric locomotives and $97 million for maintenance facility upgrades and spare parts. The $465.9 million, six-year contract was awarded to Siemens Mobility and is a key element of the Fleet Strategy Plan. The contract will create 250 jobs primarily at a facility in Sacramento, Calif., but also at plants in Norwood, Ohio and Alpharetta, Ga.

Flooding hits BNSF hard, closes both mainline tracks in Minot, N.D.

BNSF Railway’s Command Center is managing responses to flood impacts, which have put subdivisions out of service in North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa as well as the Atchison branch in St. Joseph, Mo. BNSF is making an effort to continue operating on key mainline routes.

Both main tracks of the KO subdivision in Minot, N.D., are out of service due to record flooding on the Souris River. The line segments to and from Minot are open and available for local service and industries though.

BNSF also raised 3.4 miles of track up to 20 inches near Rulo, Neb., but the subdivision is now is out of service due to flooding near Rulo as a result of a levee break.

 

UP named Best Diversity Company for third consecutive year

For the third consecutive year, Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology named Union Pacific a Best Diversity Company. The magazine chose UP based upon its support of women and minorities, efforts to support work/life balance and supplier diversity commitment based on feedback from the magazine’s readers and website visitors.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology for the third year in a row for our commitment to using ability and talent as our main criteria for employment," said Barb Schaefer, Union Pacific senior vice president of human resources.

Union Pacific actively promoted diversity by increasing its minority- and women-owned supplier base for materials and service providers by 55 percent from 2005 to 2009. The company also supports employee resource groups, which help nurture a diverse culture, promote diversity issues and support recruiting, retention and advancement efforts for women and minorities.

Proposal for new oil carrying Canadian railway unveiled

G Seven Generations Ltd. is proposing a new railway to carry oil from the Alberta, Ontario oil sands to the existing marine oil terminal at Valdez, Alaska. The company revealed its proposal at the International Indigenous Summit on Energy and Mining in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

"Studies have already demonstrated that a rail link to Alaska is a viable alternative to the oil pipelines currently being planned through British Columbia," said G7G Director Matt Vickers. "This approach is timely because it promises significant economic benefits while avoiding many of the environmental risks associated with current pipeline proposals."

"Diversifying markets for Canadian oil is an important challenge, but we need to achieve this goal in the most environmentally and socially responsible way possible," continued Vickers.

G7G’s rail link proposal would use the existing marine oil terminal in Valdez, which is facing a declining supply of oil from Alaska’s North Slope.

One option of the proposed 2,000+ kilometer-long railway (1,243+ miles) would run northwest from Fort McMurray, Alberta to join the Alyeska Pipeline (part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which carries oil to the Valdez oil terminal) at Delta Junction, Alaska. The project’s first phase is estimated to cost C$12 billion (US$12.4 billion) or more.

"British Columbians’ opposition to oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s north coast is very strong and should not fall on deaf ears," G7G wrote in a statement. "Valdez has seen oil tanker traffic since the 1970s and this proposal would simply mean replacing the declining supply of Alaska crude with a new supply of Alberta crude. We believe this approach has a greater chance of obtaining social license from local communities than other competing scenarios."

Over the coming months, G7G will be working to complete the project’s feasibility study, business plan and First Nations consultation. Its directors are currently seeking support for the project from national and international aboriginal organizations.

British Columbia to provide C$7.5 million for E&N passenger rail

The province of British Columbia is investing C$7.5 million (US$7.7 million) for the E&N Railway to help restore passenger train service on Vancouver Island.

"Vancouver Island mayors have told us loud and clear that this rail service supports their economies by creating jobs, which in turn supports many families along the route," said Premier Christy Clark. "Today the Province is stepping up with C$7.5 million to help return this train service to island families and communities."

Funding will be provided in two parts. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will contribute up to C$500,000 (US$515,000) for an engineering inspection on the condition of the approximately 40 rail bridges and trestles on the line.

The balance of C$7 million (US$7.2 million) will help the Island Corridor Foundation repair the track and ensure that it is safe for passengers. The ICF has identified that it needs C$15 million (US$15.5 million) to complete essential repairs. The provincial funding of C$7 million is conditional upon the final bridge inspection and ICF matching the other C$7.5 million that it needs to ensure all repairs are completed and passenger train service can safely resume.

"Our government has heard from the communities and the local MLAs about the importance of the E&N to families on Vancouver Island," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "We’re taking a balanced approach to ensure the service is viable over the long-term."

The ICF will also prepare a long-term plan that describes how passenger service can reach its potential, including ways to attract more ridership.

The rail operator, Southern Railway on Vancouver Island, suspended passenger train service earlier this spring when it determined the line was no longer safe and funding was not available to make repairs. Inspections identified decaying wooden rail ties, worn or loose bolts and vegetation overgrowth.

Today, freight service continues with speed restrictions on the E&N railway.

Baltimore Red Line gets FTA approval

The Federal Transit Administration has given its approval for the Baltimore Red Line in Maryland to move forward and enter the engineering phase. The phase includes preparation of more detailed plans, schedules and cost estimates, as well as completion of final environmental studies.

"For the past two years the Maryland Transit Administration has been working to comply with rigorous FTA requirements," said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. "By granting permission for a project to enter preliminary engineering, the FTA signals that the project has merit and a high likelihood of ultimate success."

The FTA review of the Red Line proposal focused on the projects ridership and benefits, as well as the State’s financial commitment and technical capacity to build and operate the project.

The proposed Red Line is a 14.5 mile, east-west transit line connecting the areas of Woodlawn, Edmondson Village, West Baltimore, downtown Baltimore, Inner Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Campus. When constructed, the Red Line will run mostly in dedicated surface rights of way with tunnels under Cooks Lane, downtown and Fells Point. The Red Line, expected to be completed in 2020, will carry 57,000 riders per day in 2030 and cost approximately $1.8 billion in year 2010 dollars.Accounting for inflation, the cost is approximately $2.2 billion. The current ridership forecast is slightly down from the prior forecast of 60,000 riders per day based on input from the FTA.

"Getting the go-ahead from FTA to enter this next significant phase of the Red Line project is great news for Baltimore and the region," said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "The fact that the Red Line has progressed to this stage underscores the quality and competitiveness of this much-needed transit project that will help create jobs and economic development for Baltimore’s future."

Preliminary engineering is expected to take approximately two years and is followed by final design, during which plans are finalized and put out to bid. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s capital budget includes funding for the preliminary engineering, final design phases and right-of-way phases and construction funding will be addressed by 2015 when it is first needed.

SEPTA celebrates Langhorne Station

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority representatives, joined by elected officials and community members, celebrated the Authority’s rebuilt Langhorne train station facility at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Juune 28.

The Langhorne Station serves passengers on SEPTA’s West Trenton Regional Rail line.

"The improvements and new building at Langhorne Station demonstrate SEPTA’s commitment to investing in our communities," said SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey. "We are pleased to provide our current and future passengers with a comfortable place to wait for their trains, complete with technological advancements."

The new Langhorne Station building features energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems; expanded indoor and outdoor passenger waiting areas and a restroom. The station improvements project also included the installation of new electrical and communications systems, as well as an audiovisual public address system.

The 18-month project cost $1.4 million and was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"We thank our customers, Middletown Township and Langhorne, Langhorne Manor and Penndel Boroughs for their patience and support throughout the construction period," Casey said. "The end result of this project is a beautiful station we will enjoy for many years to come."

Metrolink to add more service in July, change AV Line express train schedule

Southern California’s Metrolink is planning a 16-train service expansion, including four all-new express trains. The growth will continue during the first week of July when Metrolink will add new weekend beach trains and six weekday trips on the Orange County Line.

Metrolink will operate two round-trips on the Inland Empire-Orange County line from San Bernardino to both Oceanside and San Juan Capistrano on weekends from July 2, 2011, through October 9, 2011.

Additionally, Metrolink will add six weekday trips on the Orange County Line, between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Fullerton stations, starting July 5, 2011, as part of the Metrolink Service Expansion Program.

On July 5, there also will be minor schedule adjustments to accommodate the additional service. The Antelope Valley Line morning and evening express trains will depart later to better serve passengers.

FTA taps PB for asset management framework

Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded a contract by the Federal Transit Administration to develop and document a transit asset management framework and implementation guide that will support the FTA’s State of Good Repair and Asset Management Programs.

The FTA estimates there is a nationwide backlog of $50 billion to $80 billion in deferred maintenance and replacement needs, the vast majority of which are rail related.

The project will result in the creation of a conceptual framework for asset management and provide guidance and tools that transit agency managers can use to enhance asset management and positively impact reliability, safety, cost management and customer relations.

Parsons Brinckerhoff will be responsible for researching best practices within transit and other industries, creating a framework and implementation guide and developing training materials. The team includes three partner transit agencies, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Utah Transit Authority, that have agreed to collaborate in the development and validation of the research and participate in facilitated work sessions to document their practices, implementation issues and other considerations.

The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2012.

SFRTA governing board elect new chair and vice chair

Florida’s Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs was elected chair of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Governing Board at its June meeting. At the same meeting, Palm Beach County Commissioner Steven Abrams was elected vice chair of the Board. Both terms begin on July 1, 2011 and last for one year.

Commissioner Jacobs was elected to represent District 2 on the Broward County Commission in 1998. She has always been a supporter of mass transit as a means of easing traffic congestion and pollution in Broward County. She spearheaded the Community Bus Transport Network, which connects neighborhoods to Broward County Transit in more than 20 cities.

Commissioner Abrams has been serving on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners representing District 4 since 2009 and was elected in 2010 without opposition to a full four-year term. A former Mayor of Boca Raton, he was elected in 2001, re-elected in 2003 without opposition and again in 2005.

 

DOT gives $1.58 billion for transit improvements

U.S. Department of Transportation allocated $1.58 billion for 27 transit projects nationwide that will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and curbing air pollution.

"Investing in a modern transportation network is a key part of President Obama’s strategy to win the future by out-building and out-competing the rest of the world," said USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "America’s long-term economic success requires investing now in transportation infrastructure capable of moving people and goods more safely, efficiently and quickly than ever before."

Twenty-seven transit projects across America are on a path to receive funding under the New Starts program, through which Federal Transit Administration provides federal support for major capital construction projects such as subways, light rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit.

Denver’s 13-station Eagle Commuter Rail project will add more than 30 miles of service to Denver’s transit system connecting downtown Denver and Denver International Airport to the east with numerous communities in between. The FTA estimates contributing approximately $1 billion towards the $2 billion project which is said to create 5,400 jobs during peak construction.

The Central Corridor light-rail project will connect Minnesota’s two largest cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, by light rail for the first time. The FTA recently signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement making a long-term financial commitment to the $957 million light rail-line, which will carry 40,000 riders along the 11-mile corridor. The project, which includes 18 new stations and 31 new rail cars, is scheduled to open in 2014.

For a full list of projects receiving New Starts funding in 2011, click here .

 

CTA cuts management, reduces expenses to save $15 million

The Chicago Transit Authority is eliminating 54 non-union positions, including 26 manager-level positions. In addition, CTA is reducing expenses which, when combined with personnel moves, will save the agency $15 million annually. The reductions meet Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s target for leaner senior management at city agencies.

Nearly half the cost savings are from personnel reductions. CTA will save approximately $7.6 million in salaries and benefits, a 10 percent reduction in senior management. None of the positions are safety related or directly impact service. Additional savings of $900,000 in labor and benefit costs will be achieved by delaying hiring for open positions that have been deemed necessary. A reduction in materials, utilities and contractual services expenses will further reduce costs for 2011.

"The CTA faces severe financial challenges and cannot wait for next year’s budget to begin making cuts," said CTA President Forrest Claypool. "By reorganizing and streamlining, we gain immediate savings with no adverse effect on the current level and quality of service provided to customers."

 

Florida to develop dedicated inland port/logistics center

Jones Lang LaSalle will be the exclusive project advisor to Treasure Coast Intermodal Campus on its more than 4,000 acre site in southwest St. Lucie County, Fla. The TCIC will be developed into a major logistics hub over the next 30 to 35 years, with pre-development efforts now in full swing.

"TCIC will create an entirely new industrial model for Florida, ultimately providing a connection to direct, on-dock rail service at Florida’s key seaports, along with easy access to all major highways," said John Carver, who heads Jones Lang LaSalle’s Ports Airports and Global Infrastructure practice.

The TCIC is served by the Florida East Coast Railroad, which is accessed at the northern border of the development. Its inland port is situated in an area of St. Lucie County that has well-developed urban infrastructure and support services necessary for a large-scale industrial complex.

"This large scale project is being engineered specifically in preparation for the Panama Canal expansion, which also coincides with the emergence of South America as one of the largest exporters in the world," said Steve Medwin, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle in Miami.

The TCIC plan has passed preliminary market, regulatory and construction feasibility tests and over the estimated 30 to 35-year development period, the project is said to create a significant positive fiscal impact for local government and the region’s economy, including thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

 

Metro-North moves closer to a transit-oriented development at Harrison Train Station

Metropolitan Transit Authority Metro-North Railroad is issuing its first solicitation for a transit-oriented development at Harrison Station in New York. It will improve access to trains by replacing three surface parking lots with a mixed-use development that includes retail space and housing units wrapped around a new parking structure.

The project is also intended to serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization in Harrison. The New York State Department of State awarded a Smart Growth Grant to aid this TOD project.

"We have branded this project ‘It’s Happening in Harrison,’ because we believe this project, when realized, will create a sustainable, lively, walkable and vital development that will expand and complement the existing village hub at the same time it increases access to trains and reduces reliance on single occupancy vehicles," said Metro-North President Howard Permut.

In May, the town board unanimously passed a resolution in support of the TOD solicitation.

The site consists of slightly more than three acres of property owned by MTA Metro-North Railroad currently used as commuter parking. The railroad, working with the Real Estate Department of the MTA, intends to use the property to facilitate expanded access to the station. The amount of commuter parking will be doubled, from 255 to about 500 spaces to address needs on this segment of the New Haven line.

 

 

ShipCarsNow launches smartphone app

ShipCarsNow has developed the industry’s first mobile application, ShipCarsNow Mobile, that gives auto dealers and remarketers a way to get multimodal auto transport quotes from any smartphone. The mobile app provides shippers the ability to make purchase decisions whenever and wherever they buy wholesale inventory.

ShipCarsNow’s mobile provides users a link to register with ShipCarsNow.com for lower rates and to access auto transport tips and industry news. Auto dealers and remarketers can use the app to login to ShipCarsNow.com to get quotes, track shipments and access ShipCarsNow sales representatives.

ShipCarsNow’s multimodal options of economical rail, expedited truck and overseas vessel service allow business auto shippers to reach inventory and ship cars.

 

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