Author: jrood

$25 million in federal grants arrives at NJ Transit

The Department of Transportation is transferring nearly $25 million to NJ Transit.

The first $22 million grant was awarded on a competitive basis through the agency’s new initiative, State of Good Repair program, that was announced in 2010. The funding will be used to replace approximately 40 older buses with new, 45-foot compressed natural gas buses. Another $2.5 million is headed to New Jersey from the Department of Transportation’s Transit Investment for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction grant program to install energy efficient heaters to help improve the safety and efficiency of railroads during colder weather.

 

CN’s Alberta shortline rail acquisitions, upgrades total C$400 million

Canadian National has invested almost C$400 million (US$408 million) to buy and rehabilitate four shortline railways serving resource-rich regions of northern Alberta, Canada, by year-end 2011.

"CN has stepped up to the plate in Alberta with sizable rail infrastructure investments," Claude Mongeau, president and CEO of CN said. "Since 2006, we’ve purchased four rail shortlines that are key to economic growth and prosperity in northern Alberta and have spent significant sums to maintain and improve them.

"Reliable, consistent rail service is essential to current and future oil sands and resource developments and our infrastructure investments represent a clear and meaningful commitment to help foster that growth with quality rail transportation for our customers."

Mongeau said CN’s short-line acquisitions and improvements have helped solidify its freight franchise in northern Alberta, characterized by important volumes of coal, sulphur, petroleum coke, steel pipe, grain, wood pulp, lumber and diesel fuel.
CN paid a total of C$76 million (US$7.1 million) in 2006 and 2007 to buy the Mackenzie Northern Railway, Lakeland & Waterways Railway, Savage Alberta Railway, Inc., and the Athabasca Northern Railway.

Between 2006 and 2010, CN spent C$260 million (US$265 million) to upgrade the infrastructure of these lines, including the installation of new rail, ties, ballast, track, other track materials, bridges, sidings and communication technology, and expects to spend another C$45 million (US$46 million) this year on further upgrades.

As part of its purchase agreement, CN targeted the former ANY line to Fort McMurray for the largest portion of the improvements, a C$135 million (US$138 million) rehabilitation program, which remains on-track to be completed by the end of 2011. CN’s purchase and upgrading plan for the ANY was based on long-term traffic volume guarantees negotiated with shippers Suncor Energy Inc., OPTI Canada Inc., and Nexen Inc.

CN plans to build a new Calgary Logistics Park, which will provide transportation solutions to rail customers moving products and commodities into and out of Calgary, a key logistics hub for consumer and industrial goods markets in southern Alberta.

 

US DOT makes $175 million in “livability” grants to increase, improve transportation options

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made up to $175 million available in livability grants to help urban, suburban and rural communities develop transit options to better connect people to where they live, work and play. Local transit agencies will be able to compete for livability dollars from the pool. The competitive grant program will begin accepting applications the week of June 20.

The announcement comes on the second anniversary of the creation of the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Livability grants are aimed at assuring that transportation and housing decisions are made jointly and recognize the unique character of each community.

"Coordinated transportation and housing planning can make the best use of scarce federal dollars and can help create jobs, lower transportation costs and reduce our dependence on oil," said Secretary LaHood. "Communities where people have access to affordable housing and different forms of transportation to get to places that are important to them are communities where people want to live."

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is a collaborative effort among the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency to help American families gain better access to affordable housing, better transportation options and lower transportation costs. 
 


"In addition to the need for affordable housing, the Obama Administration recognizes the necessity for safe, convenient and affordable transportation," said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. "We’re helping to better connect communities and create reliable transit choices so that people can make it home from work in time to sit down to dinner with their families or help their kids with homework. That means a higher quality of life for all Americans and a more efficient and more usable transportation network for moving people and goods."

 

STB rejects call to halt Tongue River Railroad project

On June 14, the Surface Transportation Board denied a request from the Northern Plains Resource Council and local rancher, Mark Fix, to halt construction on the 130-mile Tongue River Railroad project between Miles City and Decker, Mont., which was originally approved for construction more than 25 years ago.

The railroad would transport coal from Wyoming and Montana to power plants in and near the Midwest.

A petition filed by the NPRC and Fix on July 26, 2010 was brought to the Board on environmental grounds in hopes to reopen the Board’s prior 2007 decision regarding the TRR project and the lease of the state-owned Otter Creek coal tracts, which could make more coal available for transport.

The STB said in the decision statement summary:

"In sum, as the record here shows, we properly considered and weighed the transportation benefits, concerns and environmental effects in reaching our decision in Tongue River III that this line is not inconsistent with the public convenience and necessity. As we previously found (2007 decision at 22), the TRR will contribute to a sound transportation system and will encourage sound economic conditions by providing a more efficient route at lower costs for shippers.

"NPRC has not met its burden to demonstrate changed circumstances or new evidence that would materially alter that decision. Nor has it provided exceptional grounds that would be needed to lead us to reopen this case, years after the environmental review was completed and our final decision issued. We believe that TRRC should be allowed to move forward with this project without being subjected to the delay, costs and uncertainty that reopening this case now would cause."

The NPRC’s motion for oral argument and its petition to reopen has been

HDR’s Keller named president of ARDA

Kevin Keller, HDR’s BNSF Railway client manager and rail environmental program manager, has been named president of the American Railway Development Association for 2011-2012.

As president of ARDA, Keller will be responsible for the financial, technical and management aspects of the association, including the planning of ARDA’s Annual Meeting and Annual Executive Forum.

Keller is also vice president of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association’s Engineering Services Functional Group and a former chairman of AREMA Committee 13 (environmental). He was recently selected to become a board member of the AREMA Foundation.

Keller has more than 25 years of experience in management, environmental and engineering. He has worked extensively for federal, state and commercial clients throughout North America, including all North American Class 1 freight railroads.

G4S Technology wins $13.6 million project from Metrolink

G4S Technology LLC, a systems integrator and project management company for communication networks and electronic security systems, has been selected by Metrolink to install and integrate an updated, enhanced communications network, electronic equipment and microwave towers to support train control, station services and business applications. The $13.6M project began in February and is projected to be completed within eighteen months.

G4S Technology will perform the work within a 40-mile geographic area throughout Orange County, Calif. There are nine passenger stations, 21 wayside locations and two endpoints involved. G4S Technology will install a new fiber-optic backbone, communications shelters, electronic communications equipment and new microwave towers within this geographic area. They will also integrate and ensure communications back to Metrolink’s Operations Center. Once completed, the expansion will increase passenger service within Orange County from 64 trains per day to approximately 80 trains per day.

The new fiber backbone will integrate the train control data, and be available to support additional services such as CCTV, ticket vending machines, public address, variable message signs, voice radio and some elements of Positive Train Control.

Bob Sommerfeld, president of G4S Technology said, "We are happy to be able to help them expand on their concept of improving the passenger travel experience with the enhanced technology these upgrades will provide. We are also happy to help the state of California further their preservation of the environment."

 

Ontario council approves light rail project

The Waterloo Regional Council of Ontario discussed and approved a light rail transit plan to be built between Conestoga Mall in the city of Waterloo to the Ainslie Street Terminal in the city of Cambridge. The regional council approved implementation of option L3 as Stage 1 of the LRT system, which includes LRT from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall.

Funding for the region’s portion of Stage 1 capital, operating and maintenance costs will come from a tax rate increase of 1.2 percent annually and allocated budget reductions. Cambridge will be given a one-time capital investment of $1 million annually, for a 10-year period, to implement transit-supportive strategies.

LRT is an important part of the region’s plan to accommodate significant population and employment growth over the next 20 years. In the Regional Growth Management Strategy, as well as in the Places to Grow Growth Plan, LRT was identified as one of the key catalysts to support downtown revitalization and control urban sprawl in the region.

"Tonight’s decision is one more critical element in the Region’s integrated approach to planning for a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable community. We look forward to working with the area municipalities, and all our community partners, as we proceed with the implementation of this transformational project," said Mike Murray, chief administrative officer.

The LRT system will be built in two stages: Stage 1 will include LRT from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall and adapted bus rapid transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal. Stage 2 of the LRT system will add LRT from Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal.

 

Mica, Shuster roll out passenger rail plan

A dramatic new direction that focuses on bringing competition to high-speed and intercity passenger rail service across the country was presented during a national briefing by committee leaders. The plan incorporates competitive bidding and private sector involvement to bring high-speed rail to the Northeast Corridor and improve intercity passenger rail service nationwide.

U.S. Representative John L. Mica, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, and U.S. Representative Bill Shuster, chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, presented their new direction for U.S. passenger rail service to national and state transportation officials and passenger rail stakeholders across the country and enabled their participation via webcast and teleconference. The Mica/Shuster initiative is called the Competition for Intercity Passenger Rail in America Act.

"Competition in high-speed and intercity passenger rail will cut taxpayer subsidies, improve service and bring our nation into the 21st century of passenger rail transportation," Mica said.

"Our plan will create jobs by finally bringing real high-speed rail to the one region of the country where it makes the most sense – the Northeast Corridor – and do so in a dramatically shorter time than Amtrak’s 30-year plan, at a fraction of their proposed $117 billion cost," Mica said.

The Mica/Shuster proposal will also give states greater control and authority over their intercity passenger rail services, currently operated by Amtrak. Ridership on state-supported routes has increased significantly over the past 15 years and incentivizing private sector competition for rail services on these routes will ensure states and taxpayers get a said good deal and a good service. The initiative will also open up other Amtrak long-distance money-losing routes to competition, allowing the private sector the opportunity to bid on any intercity route and potentially improve service.

The Mica/Shuster initiative will aim at bringing real high-speed rail to the nation’s Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. The corridor is already owned almost in its entirety by Amtrak and the initiative will end the Amtrak monopoly and separate the NEC from it creating a separate business unit.

Fifteen states around the country currently pay Amtrak to operate intercity passenger rail. The initiative encourages private companies to compete not only on these state-supported intercity routes but on long-distance routes as well, which Rep. Mica and Rep. Shuster say will save taxpayers’ dollars and create and protect jobs.

 

 

Amtrak reaction Mica/Shuster plan: NEC not just a piece of real estate

Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman issued the following statement today regarding proposed legislation by House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica and House Railroad Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster on privatizing the Northeast Corridor and the Amtrak national network.

"Any plan for transforming the Northeast Corridor (NEC) must make transportation the centerpiece of the effort. The NEC is not just a piece of real estate – it is a major transportation artery and a vital component of the regional economy carrying more than 250,000 intercity and commuter passengers every day," said Boardman.

"We’re going to have to take a careful look at the proposal because we don’t want to run the risk of adopting something that won’t work, that compromises safety or that simply costs more than we can afford. We have a basic duty to the public to ensure that we’re looking after their interests, and the last thing the Northeast needs is a plan that’s poorly thought through and that doesn’t take key issues into account."

 

CN to sell rail marine terminal assets

Canadian National ha reached today a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of IC RailMarine Terminal Company to Raven Energy, LLC, an affiliate of Foresight Energy, LLC, and the Cline Group for US$73 million.

CN expects the transaction to close in approximately 45 days, following receipt of regulatory approvals. Upon closing, CN would enter a 10-year rail transportation agreement with Savatran LLC, another affiliate of Foresight and Cline, to haul coal from four Illinois mines to the convent transfer facility. Under the agreement, Savatran would ship a minimum annual volume of coal via CN.

"These initiatives will allow CN to make better use of its southern rail corridor while expanding its participation in the growing export of Illinois Basin coal," said Luc Jobin, executive vice-president and chief financial officer of CN.

Foresight will expand the capacity of the facility to eight million tons of export coal per year, from a current capacity of approximately four million tons, with the potential for an additional eight-million-ton expansion as market conditions warrant.

Amtrak expands security efforts with increased ROW protection

Amtrak is expanding its comprehensive rail security efforts to provide increased right-of-way protection to detect and deter terrorists seeking to derail passenger trains, testified Amtrak Chief of Police John O’Connor today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Amtrak is a member of FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces. Chief O’Connor said threats against rail transportation are very real and "the recent events after the death of bin Laden serve as a stark reminder that these threats continue to be viable."

O’Connor stressed the interest of terrorists in derailing trains is of particular concern to Amtrak which "operates high-speed rail trains where catastrophic losses could occur."

The security countermeasures will provide additional ROW protections for passenger trains, particularly those operating on the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor. They will join existing Amtrak security efforts focusing on threats related to the use of improvised explosive devices in a station or on a train, or an active shooter scenario. They are also reinforcing employee awareness programs, particularly with personnel from its engineering and mechanical departments.

In addition, O’Connor noted that Amtrak is working with TSA to integrate sensor technology with cameras to monitor for intrusions along the ROW. The railroad will continue existing security strategies such as canine explosive detection teams, random passenger baggage screening and uniformed patrols at stations and on trains.

 

Try transit for a day on national

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff encouraged Americans to leave their cars at home and try transit on national ‘Dump the Pump’ Day, Thursday, June 16.

June 16 marks the American Public Transportation Association’s sixth annual national ‘Dump the Pump’ Day. The purpose is to highlight public transportation as an effective alternative to driving that will help people save money, especially with the unpredictable costs of gas.

Recent research shows that public transportation use in the United States reduces our nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.

"Where it’s available, transit is the most efficient way to save fuel, improve the environment and keep money in your pocket," said Administrator Rogoff.

RTD FasTracks reassured of $120 million in grants from FTA

The Regional Transportation District in Denver Colo., received reassurance that it will be receiving funding grants for the RTD FasTracks program as originally proposed in the fiscal year 2011 federal budget. The grants, which are made at the Federal Transit Administration’s discretion, are from a pool of $1.6 billion approved by congress this year. The West, Gold and East lines are each slated to receive $40 million, for a total of $120 million.

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit program to expand rail and bus service throughout the RTD service area. Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff announced in a speech that he plans to move forward with grants for RTD’s FasTracks program along with other major transit projects across the nation.

"We are excited and pleased that the funding will assist with the RTD’s expansion program. And we are grateful for the support we receive from our Congressional Delegation in Washington," said Lee Kemp, Chairman, RTD Board of Directors.

 

Rail Conference, RLBC seek release from mediation

The Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition has asked to be released from federal mediation. The RLBC is comprised of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (both divisions of the Teamster Rail Conference), the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (SEIU), the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and Blacksmiths.

In a June 13 letter to the National Mediation Board, RLBC Chairman W. Dan Pickett requested that NMB terminate mediation and proffer arbitration to the parties, pursuant to Section 5 of the Railway Labor Act. Chairman Pickett noted that the Mediation Board’s best efforts have not been successful in bringing about an amicable settlement of this dispute through mediation.

The RLBC also pointed out that proposed changes to the United Transportation Union’s separate health insurance plan that have tentatively been agreed to, cannot be incorporated into the Railroad Employees’ National Health and Welfare Plan, which covers RLBC-represented and other railroad workers. Moreover, the industry’s position that significant economic elements of the tentative UTU agreement are inapplicable to RLBC-represented workers means that, "the parties’ differences are irreconcilable and further mediation is unwarranted."

The full RLBC letter to the NMB can be viewed on the BLET National Division website.

L.B. Foster forms Friction Management business unit

Following L.B. Foster’s acquisition of Portec Rail Products, Inc. in mid December, 2010, the company has formed "a new business team focused on enhancing its global leadership position in wheel/rail interface solutions," L.B. Foster said today. The new organization is named L.B. Foster Friction Management.

Under the direction of Vice President, Global Kostas Papazoglou, L.B. Foster Friction Management "will combine the talents of the personnel of former Portec Rail Products, Inc. businesses located in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Australia into a single, worldwide team," the company said.

To support this initiative, L.B. Foster made the following management appointments in addition to Papazoglou:

Dr. Donald Eadie is Vice President Technology and Innovation focusing on mobile friction management application systems and consumables. He has responsibility for the company’s Centres of Engineering Excellence located at the Vancouver, Sheffield, and China sites. He will also work with the Vice President Technology and Business Development to lead the global technology team.

Dr. Kevin Oldknow is Vice President Technology and Business Development. He will focus on trackside friction management delivery systems and will have responsibility for the company’s Centres of Engineering Excellence at the Pittsburgh, Montreal and Australia sites. He will also be responsible for developing and implementing strategy along with the execution of business development and marketing activities.

Brian Vidler is Director Friction Management Technical Sales with responsibility to drive the growth needed to achieve the team’s strategic objectives. He will direct various activities of the technical sales resources with North American Class I railroads as well as in international markets and transit agencies globally.

Five other appointments were made to provide local leadership, management and coordination of inside/outside sales, customer service, production planning, accounting and field service as well as work closely with the engineering and technical sales functions. These include Steven Fletcher, General Manager, Vancouver; John Musser, General Manager, Pittsburgh; Mr. Gerry Clark, General Manager, Montreal; Mr. Peter Jones, Managing Director, UK and Mr. Gary Elliot, Commercial Director, UK.

"This team will rely on its world class wheel/rail interface expertise as a leading edge to create innovative, value based solutions to a growing global rail customer base, supported by industry recognized problem solving capabilities and applications specification and design competencies," said Papazoglou. "It will drive these solutions with products, technologies, project management, and performance verification to promote profitable revenue growth for L.B. Foster."

CN to start construction of Calgary Logistics Park in summer 2011

Canadian National’s construction of its new Calgary Logistics Park, an investment of approximately $206 million (C$200 million), will start this summer with targeted completion by the end of 2012.

"CN is eager to break ground for the new logistics park, which will provide seamless transportation solutions to rail customers moving products and commodities into and out of Calgary, one of the fastest growing cities in North America and a key logistics hub for consumer and industrial goods markets in southern Alberta," said Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN.

The 680-acre logistics park in Conrich, Alberta, located in Rocky View County, will feature:

* A state-of-the-art intermodal terminal for containerized goods moving between rail and truck, with ample room for customers to build on-site distribution centers that will eliminate costly handling and drayage cost to move product to other facilities;
* More than two million square feet of warehousing capacity, including a multi-commodity rail-to-truck transload and warehouse facility and
* Dimensional shipment and heavy container handling capacity.

CN also plans to have an automotive compound for regional vehicle distribution ready during 2013 and to add a liquid and dry-bulk transload and distribution facility to the logistics park at a later date. Operations will start in early 2013.

The new facility is situated on Twp Road 250/McKnight Boulevard and is just 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) from Calgary International Airport.

"We are thrilled with the news of this new facility and with the collaborative partnership we have formed with CN," said Rolly Ashdown, Rocky View County Reeve. "The Logistics Park is a great addition to Rocky View County and the region, helping to support our goal of a healthy and diversified economy."

Mongeau said, "The Calgary Logistics Park is part of CN’s plan to build similar multi-modal facilities across our network at key distribution nodes to handle a variety of goods and commodities. Our goal is to reduce logistics costs for our customers through highly efficient materials handling, transportation and distribution processes. With this approach, CN can help its customers grow, enhance the economic development of the communities we serve, and position the railway CN for greater traffic growth."

BNSF and YSVR enhance operational coordination to serve growing Montana rail demand

BNSF Railway and Yellowstone Valley Railroad will amend their lease agreement this fall on the rail route between Snowden and Glendive, Mont.

BNSF will provide service for unit trains and YSVR will provide service for all other traffic along the line between Snowden and Crane. BNSF will serve all customers between Crane and Glendive and handle bridge traffic between Snowden and Glendive. BNSF will also assume the dispatching and maintenance of the entire Snowden to Glendive line.

"The tremendous growth of oil production in the Williston Basin and the Bakken Shale formation over the last several years has resulted in significant increases in traffic volumes in and out of this area," said Dean Wise, BNSF vice president, network strategy. "This amended agreement will allow BNSF and YSVR to respond to the changing demands of our customers, improve direct service and unit train handling efficiencies and continue to invest to serve this rapidly growing part of the Montana and North Dakota economies."

"This unique agreement will help to improve service for all customers in the area," said Bill Goldsberry, YSVR general manager. "We will be able to more effectively coordinate operations, enabling both railroads to focus on their strengths and continue to meet customer demand."

Port Everglades, FEC to partner in development of intermodal facility

Florida’s Broward County Board of County Commissioners has unanimously approved action authorizing the Port Everglades Department staff to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the Florida East Coast Railway company leading to the development of an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility on Port property.

"Florida East Coast Railway is excited to partner with the state of Florida and Broward County to deliver an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at Port Everglades. This project has been identified by the local community as a need for future growth and the ICTF will ensure South Florida is a hub for international trade for future generations," said Jim R. Hertwig, president and CEO of Florida East Coast Railway, L.L.C.

The Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan, approved by the Board of County Commissioners on March 1, 2011, envisioned the development of a near-dock ICTF in the Southport area of the Port as a public/private partnership. Successful completion of an MOU will be the first step towards a broader agreement for construction and operation of the ICTF.

The ICTF in the Southport area of Port Everglades will facilitate the transfer of containerized cargo through the Port onto the FEC rail line via a connecting rail spur. The proposed ICTF is unique compared to similar facilities in other ports in that both domestic and international cargo would be handled on the site. These cargos are currently being handled on a 14-acre site on Andrews Avenue owned by the FEC. A combined near-dock facility at the Port should result in competitive transfer and shipping fees for port clients, thus increasing the Port’s competitive advantage compared to other ports. Positive environmental benefits are also envisioned by the reduction of truck traffic on local roadways.

The Florida Department of Transportation will break ground for the Eller Drive Overpass project in July 2011, which is a critical first step in moving the ICTF forward by allowing for an at-grade rail connection directly into Southport. This project is fully funded by the state and is estimated to cost $54 million.

 

Canada’s VIA Rail reaches out to the public about future plans

VIA Rail Canada held its first Annual Public Meeting June 14, at the Ottawa Train Station. Broadcast simultaneously on the Internet, the meeting provided an opportunity for the public to learn about VIA’s business operations, financial performance and projects for improvements.

It also gave the public a chance to speak directly with Paul G. Smith, chairman of the board, Marc Laliberté, president and CEO and Robert St-Jean, chief financial and administrative officer, during an open-question period. The chairman and executive officers also answered questions sent by e-mail from members of the public who could not attend in person.

Major investment program
Smith mentioned that with an unprecedented investment by the Canadian government of approximately $950 million (C$923 million), VIA is transforming the future of passenger rail.

"It is the biggest capital investment program in VIA’s history," Smith said. "It will give VIA the tools, the infrastructure and equipment, to ensure that passenger rail provides relevant, vital services connecting Canada and Canadians across the country in the years ahead."

Laliberté noted that infrastructure improvements in the Quebec-Windsor corridor will expand the capacity of passenger rail, allowing VIA to carry more people. He added, "this is essential for one of our top priorities, connecting more Canadians by offering more frequent train services, faster and better schedules and more reliable performance."

Performance
In an overview of VIA’s performance in 2010, St-Jean said that travel markets continued to struggle following the 2009 recession and despite that context, VIA revenues increased by 3.2 percent.

"This means that we are earning more revenues per passenger," St-Jean added. "And if we look at the first quarter of 2011, things look even more encouraging. Compared with the first quarter of 2010, passenger revenues are up 6.3 percent and passenger volumes increased 2.7 percent. So revenues continue to increase, due in large part to better revenue management and we’ve got ridership back on track for growth."

Transforming VIA
Laliberté also outlined VIA’s strategy to achieve two further goals: increase services in a value for taxpayers’ perspective and making passenger rail "not only the safest, but most operationally-efficient mode of public transportation in Canada."

Commenting on prospects for the future, Laliberté said, "2011 will be a pivotal year, as key investment projects move forward and reach completion. As we continue to focus on the immediate challenge, maintaining steady growth in the months ahead, I am confident that this pivotal year will mark an important step towards our vision for the future. "

GCRTA breaks ground on Buckeye-Woodhill station

As construction season approaches, The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will break ground on the updating of its Buckeye-Woodhill Rapid Transit Station on the Blue and Green Lines. The GCRTA Board of Trustees Vice President, Mayor Dennis Clough of Westlake, will host the groundbreaking event, on Wednesday, June 15.

Over the next 15 months, Great Lakes Crushing will construct the $3.3 million contemporary-themed rapid station, served by both Blue and Green Line trains. Service will continue to and from the station during the majority of construction.

"This updated station will have an attractive, high-quality design that is passenger-friendly and will make the Buckeye-Woodhill Rapid Transit Station universally accessible," said Joe Calabrese, CEO and general manager, GCRTA.

In a modern twist of design, the eastbound and westbound platforms will be covered with transparent fiberglass panels, which offer a ‘halo’ effect during evening hours. This glowing effect will provide greater visibility for customers.

The station will also consist of a series of stairs that incorporate ramps to serve customers with disabilities. The customer platforms will be accessible from both Buckeye and Woodhill roads. The station will also offer 33 free parking spots for customer use.