PTC installation could be trimmed 10,000 miles

The Obama administration suggests scaling back by 10,000 miles a federal mandate that positive train control be installed on some 140,000 miles of freight and passenger track no later than December 31, 2015. The 10,000 miles represents track over which freight railroads say neither passengers nor dangerous HAZMAT will be transported in 2015.

The Association of American Railroads had previously filed a federal lawsuit seeking the 10,000-mile scale back of the PTC mandate and rail CEOs earlier this year visited the White House to plead for administration support.

Railroads contend that the 140,000-mile FRA mandate for PTC installation is based on outdated HAZMAT traffic data and that railroads will not be transporting those HAZMAT cargos over the 10,000 miles sought to be removed from the mandate. The Association of American Railroads says the removal of those 10,000 miles from the mandate will save the industry some $500 million in installation costs.

WMATA Board gains new member, drafts first ever bylaws

Artis Hampshire-Cowan joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors on May 26. She represents Prince George’s County and succeeds Marcell Solomon as an alternate director.

In other news, the Board of Directors is currently on track to adopt its first ever permanent bylaws in June that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Board and clarifies the governing body’s focus on policy, financial direction and WMATA’s relationship with its customers and jurisdictional partners. 



The new bylaws define Board responsibilities as governing through policies and exercising oversight over policy compliance and results. Active healthy debate is encouraged; and once a decision is made, the Board speaks with one voice. The bylaws indicate the Board’s role in ensuring regular reporting to the public.


"The deliberate and thoughtful work of this Board over the last several months demonstrates that we are moving forward as a governing body with a regional perspective and a shared mission to set policies that reinforce safety, reliability and service for Metro’s customers," said Metro Board Chair Catherine Hudgins.

At Thursday’s Governance Committee Meeting, representatives from the Joint MWATA Governance Review Task Force joined the discussion about the progress made on governance matters. 



At the invitation of the Governance Committee, the Task Force provided specific feedback on items in the proposed bylaws, including alternate members, the use of the veto for non-budgetary matters and the inclusion of the second vice chair position. 



This summer, the Board will begin a strategic planning process to develop a long-range business plan that will guide the Authority’s policy decisions.

Patrick-Murray Administration highlights MBTA Blue Line modernization at State Street Station

In keeping with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to providing accessible transportation service, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Rich Davey and local officials are celebrating the $68.3 million State Street Station modernization project. The station now has two new fully accessible entrances and provides a seamless connection between the Blue and Orange Line.

To bring the station into ADA compliance, two new elevator-equipped entrances connected to the lobbies of 53 and 60 State Street were constructed. The entrances include new stairs, elevators and station support spaces with underground access and automated fare collection equipment. A new accessible corridor connects the inbound platform of the Blue Line to the outbound platform of the Orange Line, providing access to the newly installed elevator system that connects all levels of the station.

"Modernization to State Street Station represents our continued commitment to provide people of all abilities access to public transportation that is direct and user-friendly," said MBTA General Manager Rich Davey. "Customers now have a seamless connection between the Blue and Orange Line."

Additional work includes the lengthening of platforms to accommodate six-car trains. The work required relocation of all existing street utilities, demolition of abandoned city foundations and the construction of 300 feet of additional station tunnel.

Approximately 12,500 customers travel through State Street station each weekday. Reconstruction and beautification improvements to the streetscape continue with completion slated for November 2011.

SEPTA, LACMTA Boards approve FY12 budgets

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Boards have both approved operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1, 2011

SEPTA
The SEPTA budget does not increase fares and maintains current service levels. The budget vote was taken during the SEPTA Board’s regular monthly meeting on May 26, 2011.

The budgets reflect SEPTA’s ongoing commitment to control costs and increase efficiencies, while improving customer service and modernizing an aging infrastructure. The $1.22 billion operating budget represents an increase of about 3.5 percent over FY 11.

For the second straight year, SEPTA expects to defer dozens of improvement projects that are vital to the short and long-term health of the transit system. The $311 million capital budget represents a 25 percent reduction compared to funding levels of two years ago, leaving just enough to cover expenses such as debt service, new buses and paratransit vehicles, equipment overhauls and mandates such as Regional Rail signal system upgrades.

LACMTA
The LACMTA $4.145 billion operating budget will keep fares at current levels, however, the Board approved lowering the cost of the Metro day pass from $6 down to $5 for a one year test starting August 1 to help attract commuters and others squeezed by rising gas prices.

For the third year in a row, the budget assumes no wage increase for employees. However, LACMTA is negotiating new contracts with its major labor unions representing operators, maintenance employees and clerks.

The FY 12 capital budget is $247 million or 6.3 percent more than the current $3.898 billion budget.

Of the budget, 60 percent will be spent on enhancing the bus and rail system, including tackling deferred maintenance that, in past years, helped plug spiraling operating deficits. LACMTA also will be purchasing hundreds of light rail vehicles.

Another 35 percent of the budget will deliver the rail and highway capital program, which will create more than 500,000 jobs. Trains on the new Expo light rail line to Culver City are being tested, and the second phase of Expo to Santa Monica is about to break ground. Construction of the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line to Azusa is in the construction phase. Within a year, construction should begin for the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line with other rail projects in the immediate queue.

 

Gannett Fleming responds to increased federal oversight of railroad bridges

In order to ensure the safety of more than 100,000 bridges throughout the U.S., the Federal Railroad Administration announced a Final Rule in 2010 under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that will further strengthen the federal oversight of all railroad bridge maintenance programs. Gannett Fleming says it will help clients meet these federal requirements.

Gannett Fleming’s bridge staff has inspected more than 600 railroad bridges across the U.S. since 1965, according to the company, for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Amtrak, Conrail, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation and Penn Central. Many of its bridge professionals are National Bridge Inspection Standards-certified team leaders and inspectors with experience in railroad bridge design and inspection.

Gannett Fleming says it has performed element-level inspections of thousands of bridges throughout the U.S., and has experience in highway and railroad bridge analysis, design and rehabilitation.

The firm developed the National Tunnel Management System for the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration. It also developed the Structure Data Management System.

Rep. Maloney Report: Jobs, local economy get boost from federal rail grant

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Queens, Manhattan) and other officials issued a report outlining the thousands of jobs and other economic benefits that will be created through the new, $295 million federal high-speed rail grant to improve Harold Interlocking, a junction point in Sunnyside Yards through which trains from three major transit systems must pass on their way into and out of New York. The grant will help relieve major delays at the junction that have plagued New York travelers for years and pave the way for high-speed rail from New York to Boston.

The funding is part of $2 billion in high-speed rail grants announced by the federal government last week. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and MTA Chairman Jay Walder applied for the grant in April after the governor of Florida rejected high-speed rail funding. The Harold Interlocking junction is located in Maloney’s Congressional district and the Congresswoman has been a strong supporter of the grant.


Maloney’s report finds that the new grant will:

• Create 9,213 jobs over the five-year life of the project;
• Boost economic activity in the region by $585.9 million;
• Induce tens of thousands of jobs throughout the economy;
• Bring in millions in tax revenue;
• Result in reduced commuting times for LIRR, Amtrak and NJ Transit passengers by eliminating the bottleneck at Harold Interlocking; and

• Pave the way for high-speed rail along the Northeast Corridor, which will create roughly 44,000 jobs and $33 billion in wages annually over the project’s 25-year construction cycle. 



"Florida’s loss is a 9,200-job gain for New York. This project will relieve one of the worst choke points in our entire transit system, pave the way for high-speed rail and boost the economy by more than a half-billion dollars," Maloney said. "New Yorkers know the value of investing in transit and we didn’t think twice about pursuing this funding after Florida foolishly rejected it."



From Washington, D.C.: Progress made toward new transportation bill

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and Senator David Vitter (R-LA), ranking member of the Subcommittee, issued the following joint statement today regarding draft legislation to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century.

Senators Boxer, Inhofe, Baucus and Vitter said: "We are pleased to announce the great progress we have made on a new transportation authorization bill. Throughout the 25 transportation hearings convened by this Committee, including an unprecedented joint appearance by Tom Donohue of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO, we heard that there is tremendous support from businesses, workers and the American people for a transportation bill that leverages our federal dollars while maintaining a responsible fiscal path.

"It is no secret that the four of us represent very different political views but we have found common ground in the belief that building highways, bridges and transportation systems is an important responsibility of the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and the private sector.

"We are working to maximize states’ ability to plan long term and make wise infrastructure investments. Here are some of the highlights of our legislation:

• Fund programs at current levels to maintain and modernize our critical transportation infrastructure;

• Eliminate earmarks;
• Consolidate numerous programs to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative and wasteful programs;
• Consolidate numerous programs into a more focused freight program that will improve the movement of goods;
• Create a new section called America Fast Forward, which strengthens the TIFIA program to stretch federal dollars further than they have been stretched before; and

• Expedite project delivery without sacrificing the environment or the rights of people to be heard.

"We know there is still much work to do, but we believe this is a very important step. In cooperation with the Finance Committee, we are exploring a wide range of options to support and sustain the Highway Trust Fund. Our goal is to attain the optimum achievable authorization length depending on the resources available. It is critical that this be done in a way that does not increase the deficit and can achieve bipartisan support."

Chester Branch Railroad rehab complete

The rehabilitation of the Chester Branch Railroad, a four-mile line in Roxbury Township, N.J., is now complete.

In April 2010, the county was awarded $5.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund this rehabilitation project. The funds were directed to the county through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

The active freight line now serves Roxbury commercial users, but with the rehabilitation, the freeholders said it has the potential to also serve customers in Randolph, in particular the former Westinghouse site, now the BETA Corporate Park.

Freeholder Gene Feyl, first vice chairman of the NJTPA, said rail is once again becoming the more cost-effective and efficient means of transportation.

"If we are to relieve congestion on our highways, mitigate air pollution and move people and goods rapidly, efficiently and economically, the only conclusion must be in the restoration of a robust rail network," Feyl said.

Feyl said since one rail car is approximately equivalent to four tractor trailers, the efficient use of Chester Branch rail line has the potential to reduce truck traffic along major roadways in the county.


The Chester Branch freight line was donated to the county by Jack Holland, owner of Holland Industries, in October 2009 and the Morristown & Erie Railway has a management agreement with the county to continue to operate on the Chester Branch.

Argus Win-Win Award goes to CRANDIC and Archer Daniels Midland partnership

International energy reporting agency Argus has named the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Company and Archer Daniels Midland the winners of its Win-Win Award. This is the second time the Iowa shortline has won the award.

The annual honor is given to railroads, shippers and organizations that develop innovative partnerships leading to improved service, efficiency and other mutually beneficial service improvements. Launched in Argus Rail Business in 1998, the annual award celebrates partnerships between rail carriers and customers resulting in significant cost or service benefits. The latest award recognizes how both parties developed an innovative solution that allows the railroad to handle 35 more carloads from ADM while giving the shipper more control over its railcar maintenance processes.

"The expansion is a Win-Win, not just for ADM and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, but the community, crop producers and the entire state of Iowa," Jeff Woods, the manager of marketing and business development for the railroad, said.

"They [CRANDIC] have proven time and time again their commitment to the highest level of service and have been a steadfast partner in helping us meet the food and biofuel needs of the world," Jim Bobitt, ADM’s director of North American rail operations, said.

As part of the project, the railroad improved two miles of rail line to handle unit trains of more than 100 railcars for the facility. CRANDIC also employed new mother and slug locomotive combinations to add tractive force to the shortline’s switching fleet at the plant, while also reducing emissions. In addition, the use of systems to reduce idling of locomotives has furthered fuel efficiency gains and reduced emissions from the railroad’s switchers serving the plant.

 

KCS responds to Joplin, Mo., tornado

Kansas City Southern CEO David Starling issued a statement concerning the May 22 tornado that ripped a six-mile path through Joplin, Mo., destroying a significant part of the city.

The statement read in part:

The KCS railroad through Joplin was relatively unscathed. The tornado touched down about a half mile west of its tracks and crossed over the railroad between 18th and 20th Streets. Flashing signals are located at each grade crossing and were severely damaged. A few trees were across the track, but no power lines. KCS maintenance-of-way forces were on the scene shortly after the tornado and the main line was open to run trains by midnight; however, the operating team chose to wait until 7:00 a.m. to start operations due to the uncertainty throughout the city.

The 18th Street crossing signal was repaired and is back in service. The 20th Street crossing is currently protected by flagmen as train operations are back to normal through Joplin with a 25-mile per hour speed restriction. The 20th Street crossing is in the process of being repaired.

KCS has 10 employees living in Joplin. All employees and their families have been confirmed to be safe, although some damage was reported to some homes. KCS is providing assistance to the few families that have specific needs.

The Kansas City Southern Charitable Fund made a contribution to Heart to Heart International, an organization that has already deployed volunteer medical professionals, supplies and a Mobile Medical Clinic. Heart to Heart’s response continuum includes readiness, response, recovery, rebuilding and restoration.

TriMet to open new MAX station

Portland, Oregon’s TriMet will open a new Rockwood MAX station at the start of service on Friday, May 27. The station is part of the Rockwood in Motion revitalization effort.

Construction of the new station began in May 2010 and includes:

• Platforms located across from each other, rather than split across E. 188th Avenue

• Safer pedestrian crossings

• Closed circuit security cameras

• New shelters, ticket vending machines, furnishings and public art

• Improved safety with additional lighting and open sightlines at station

• TransitTracker real-time arrival information displays

• Updated signal improvements

The project was funded by a $3 million grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Connect Oregon II program, $2.15 million from the Gresham Redevelopment Commission and $160,000 from TriMet.

 

ACT Coalition formed to address deterioration in US transportation system

The American Crisis in Transportation Coalition has been formed to expand national understanding of the serious deterioration of America’s transportation system and to educate the public and Congress on the funding needed to save the system from continued decline.

The founders of ACT are former Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation Frank Busalacchi, who also served as a member of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission and John Boffa, owner of two marketing and research firms in Washington, D.C., which have a heavy concentration in transportation issues.

ACT will use as its guiding document the final report of the surface transportation commission, which identified a $225 billion annual shortfall in transportation funding.

"Roads and bridges are deteriorating at an alarming rate," Busalacchi said. "Transit systems on which millions of Americans depend to get to work are experiencing funding shortfalls. Amtrak trains travel through tunnels and bridges built in the 1800s. The federal gasoline tax has not been increased since 1993."

ACT will call for funding increases for all modes of transportation, including a 40-cent increase in the federal gasoline tax, to be phased in over a few years to ease the impact on motorists.

"The highly respected American Society of Civil Engineers recently rated America’s roads with a D minus," Busalacchi said. "That is just a notch above a failing grade. And they rated our transit systems with a D. People drive over bridges, or travel over railroad bridges, everyday without incident. But if they looked at the condition of the structures underneath, they would be horrified."

ACT plans to educate the nation about its transportation crisis through the media, through grass roots awareness building and through speaking engagements across the country.

CN wins 2010 TRANSCAER

Canadian National has earned the TRANSCAER® (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) National Achievement Award. CN received the prize for the second straight year in recognition of its commitment to helping communities prepare for and respond to potential transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.

"Safety is a core value at CN and it is important for us to partner with communities to integrate their safety procedures with ours," said Paul Miller, CN’s chief safety and sustainability officer. "We are proud that CN’s continued efforts to go beyond the normal call of duty to advocate and implement the principles of TRANSCAER have been recognized once again.

"In 2010, CN’s Dangerous Goods Team held a total of 257 TRANSCAER events across its network, reaching more than 5,000 participants."

National TRANSCAER Task Group Chairman Rollie Shook said, "CN’s Dangerous Goods Team clearly understand the importance of having a strong community outreach program to promote the safe transportation of dangerous goods and effective emergency response across the North American rail network."

 

INVISTA receives Grand Slam Award for commitment to safe rail transportation

INVISTA was one of three companies commended by the Association of American Railroads as a recipient of this year’s Grand Slam Award for receiving four Class 1 railroad awards in 2010.

The Grand Slam award, presented on behalf of the association’s Hazardous Materials Committee and its Non-Accident Release Reduction Task Force, recognizes companies who have achieved the highest level of safety for the rail transportation of hazardous materials.

"INVISTA is deeply committed to safe practices in all that we do," said Walter Tyler, INVISTA’s global environmental, health and safety director.

INVISTA had zero non-accident releases from rail shipments during the 2010 calendar year. This level of safety performance gained the attention of Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and CSX Transportation, who all awarded INVISTA with transportation safety awards in for 2010.

"It is an honor to be selected for these rail-safety awards," said Rob Brown, INVISTA’s managing director of global logistics. "The Grand Slam Award affirms our commitment to safety and dedication to continuing these best practices in the future."

 

Amtrak bridge projects on schedule

Amtrak work on its three Connecticut movable bridge projects remains on schedule for completion. Two of the three federally-funded projects are on pace to be concluded sometime in 2013, with work to replace the railroad bridge over the Pattaganset River (Miamicock) in East Lyme scheduled to be completed in June 2011.

Replacement of the railroad bridge over the Pattaganset River (Miamicock)
The $20 million Miamicock Bridge Replacement Project is being funded by the American Recovery and Investment Act and is in its final stages with an anticipated completion date by the end of June. The project included removal of the existing 100-year-old bridge and substructure and construction of the new bridge on footings supported by piles driven to bedrock. According to Amtrak, this project was unique in that construction was completed on each track in phases while train service remained active on the adjacent track.

Niantic bridge replacement project
The $125 million Niantic Bridge Replacement Project in East Lyme remains on pace for completion in May 2013. It is being funded by $47.1 million from Amtrak’s annual capital program and $57.6 million from ARRA. Crews are preparing to begin construction of a new navigation channel bridge pier fender system; installation of an electrical submarine cable crossing under the navigation channel and between the river piers; and completion of the concrete river piers, bridge abutments and the pre-cast of a concrete sea wall. All of this work is to be completed by the end of 2011.

East and West Harbor railroad bridge project
The East and West Harbor Bridges each received $16 million in ARRA funding for their removal and replacement with new bridges, steel spans, concrete piers and headwalls. As a result of the work, the bridges will have increased in its vertical clearance under the bridge, which will improve access north of the railroad for local boaters to Lambert’s Cove.

FEC joins AAR

Florida East Coast Railway has become the Association of American Railroads’ newest railroad member. The Florida East Coast Railway operates a 351-mile rail network along the east coast of Florida.

"We are excited to join the AAR which has been the leader in ensuring best practices are shared among railroads and educating policy makers on the importance of the freight rail industry in America," said FEC President and CEO James Hertwig.
"We are delighted to welcome Florida East Coast Railway to the AAR," said AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger. "Its decision to join AAR broadens our membership and strengthens our ability to represent our industry effectively before various public agencies and Congress."
FEC joins AAR as a full member, which includes holding a seat on the AAR Board of Directors and a seat on AAR’s two governing committees, the Safety and Operations Management Committee and the Policy and Advocacy Management Committee, which are charged with developing policies and practices to enhance safety, promote solid business practices and public policies and provide quality customer service.

UP receives service honor from Toyota Logistics Services

Union Pacific was honored for its dedication to customer service by Toyota Logistics Services. This is the third year in a row UP has received this award. The 2010 Toyota Logistics Excellence Award distinguishes the top transportation supplier excelling in communication, responsiveness, equipment supply, business controls, collaboration and overall ease of doing business.

The award is based on survey results representing the entire Toyota Logistics Services organization, showcasing UP’s partnership with the autos distributor.

"Union Pacific strives to deliver the best possible service, and it is a great achievement to be recognized by customers for our accomplishments," said Linda Brandl, Union Pacific vice president and general manager of Automotive. "We continue to look for ways to add value to our customers by anticipating their freight transportation needs in an ever-changing marketplace."

PUCO approves upgrade of rail crossing in Ohio

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, Ohio Central Railroad and Tuscarawas County have come to an agreement to install flashing lights and gates at the Chestnut Ridge Road/County Road 97 (474-301E) grade crossing.

OHCR must submit site plans and cost estimates for the project to the PUCO by August 17, 2011. Funding for this upgrade will be shared among the PUCO, ORDC and OHCR. OHCR will be responsible for completing construction of the upgrade by May 19, 2012.

To increase public safety during the construction of the project, the PUCO will assist the local government with the cost of improvements such as rumble strips, illumination, improved signage or other safety enhancements at the project location. Funding for the improvement will come from the state Grade Crossing Safety Fund, and will not exceed $5,000.

 

Axion receives $250,000 order from Trinity Railway Express

Axion International has received an order to supply $250,000 worth of its proprietary Recycled Structural Composite crossties to Dallas Area Rapid Transit for use in the Trinity Railway Express that connects Dallas and Fort Worth.

Axion is servicing the contract through Herzog Transit Services, which operates the TRE line. As part of the initial order, Axion will deliver approximately $250,000 worth of its RSC crossties to replace traditional wood ties. Axion’s ties will be utilized on a two-mile long bridge called the Beltline Overpass.

US DOT makes $7.6 billion available for transit improvements

The U.S. Department of Transportation made $7.6 billion available in annual funding for states, local communities and transit agencies nationwide to help maintain bus and transit rail operations and provide for capital construction and maintenance projects.

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