Sound Transit moves to secure key land for East Link light rail

Seattle’s Sound Transit Board has approved the purchase of 1.1 miles of former BNSF right-of-way in the City of Bellevue needed for the upcoming extension of East Link light rail service to Bellevue and Redmond.

The purchase of the key property from the Port of Seattle supports Sound Transit’s work to start construction of East Link in 2015. Included in the purchase package offered by the Port is an easement that provides access to 37 miles of the rail corridor between Woodinville and Renton for other potential high-capacity transit investments in the future.

"East Link light rail will provide a long-awaited mass transit connection between the two largest population and employment centers in the state," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "It’s exciting to move forward with this key real estate transaction for East Link, and at the same time, secure easements that provide access to the entire corridor for future transit projects."

The Board’s approval of the purchase, with a price of $13.8 million, follows a non-binding memorandum of understanding between the Port of Seattle, Sound Transit and other parties that was reached in 2009. In addition to the Sound Transit Board, the transaction is also subject to upcoming review by the Port of Seattle Commission.

All or a portion of the 1.1-mile segment under the purchase agreement is needed for the Segment C (Downtown Bellevue) and Segment D (Bel Red/Overlake) project alternatives being evaluated in the East Link Light Rail Project Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Sound Transit requested and received approval from the Federal Transit Administration for a "protective acquisition" before the FTA issues a Record of Decision approving a final East Link alignment. Sound Transit is scheduled to adopt the final alignment this summer.

Sound Transit has obtained an appraisal of the value of the property interests to be acquired and requested FTA approval of the appraisal. Sound Transit’s obligation to close the purchase transaction is contingent on receipt of FTA approval.

In addition to the 37-mile easement that is part of the transaction, Sound Transit will also receive rights to access the portion of the rail corridor located within Redmond’s city limits, allowing for future construction and operation of a light rail extension currently under evaluation in downtown Redmond. The City of Redmond will convey this easement at the time Sound Transit closes its transaction with the Port of Seattle.

Chicago South Shore members ratify new pact

According to the United Transportation Union, brakemen, conductors and engineers on Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railway (CSS), all represented by the UTU, have ratified a new five-year agreement by a four-to-one margin.

The contract, retroactive to January 1, 2011, provides for hourly wage increases, a cap on health care contributions, productivity allowances and wage parity for those hired prior to December 15, 2010.
The UTU retains the right, throughout the life of the agreement, to negotiate profit sharing in lieu of general wage increases.

UP earns Eastman Chemical Company’s Supplier Excellence Award for second consecutive year

Union Pacific received Eastman Chemical Company’s Supplier Excellence Award for overall company performance, the highest level of all awards presented in the Eastman Supplier Excellence Program. UP earned this award for the second consecutive year and remains the only railroad to be so honored. The award recognizes consistent performance in providing Eastman with high-quality services and for working on Eastman’s behalf to improve its efficiency and competitiveness in the changing market.

The award specifically honors UP for its contributions as a key Eastman rail carrier, based on a consensus among Eastman’s logistics management and other personnel that UP consistently meets service expectations.

"We are extremely proud to receive Eastman’s Supplier Excellence Award again this year," said Diane Duren, Union Pacific vice president and general manager Chemicals. "We are committed to providing great service and earning this recognition from one of our customers is a real compliment to our entire support team in operations and dispatching, as well as marketing and sales."

CN, CPR mark Rail Safety Week

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway are taking great strides in safety precautions during Rail Safety Week from May 2 to May 8, 2011.

With trespassing incidents and fatalities on the rise in the United States, CN is launching a public awareness campaign that stresses the deadly risks of trespassing on railroad tracks and property. CN Police are issuing a call to action with their "SEE IT? REPORT IT! You Could Save a Life" initiative, urging members of the public to call CN Police when they witness unsafe behavior on railroad property.

"Disobeying railroad crossing signals or trespassing on railroad property is dangerous and illegal. We don’t tolerate people who put their lives and the lives of others at risk. We are getting tougher about enforcing the law and are engaging the public in helping CN Police fight unsafe activity," said CN Police Chief Bobby Walker. "At CN, when it comes to safety, there is no compromise."
CN Police will be out in full force during Rail Safety Week, conducting safety blitzes at commuter stations, CN intermodal terminals and railroad crossings in the United States and Canada. This year, CN is increasing its focus on commuter stations to target a larger audience of rail users, many of whom are parents who will be urged to pass on safety information to their children.
In 2010, there were 2,837 grade crossing and railroad trespassing accidents across the United States, causing 712 fatalities and 1,192 serious injuries, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

During Rail Safety Week, CPR police service officers from Montreal to Vancouver will conduct more than 100 safety and enforcement blitzes in communities across Canada.
"Canadian Pacific has an industry-leading safety record, and the safety of CPR employees and the communities where the company operates are top priorities," said Canadian Pacific Police Chief Ivan McClelland. "During Rail Safety Week, Canadian Pacific police service officers, in partnership with local and national police and public safety agencies, will be very visible, targeting risky behavior near the tracks."
In 2010, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recorded 180 crossing accidents, resulting in 24 fatalities and 28 serious injuries. Crossing fatalities increased 26 per cent across Canada last year. The TSB also recorded 81 trespasser incidents, resulting in 55 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. Trespasser fatalities increased five per cent over 2009.
People trespassing on railway property or failing to yield the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing risk death or serious injury. Both actions are offences under the federal Rail Safety Act or applicable provincial legislation.

SEPTA receives FTA grant for intermodal facility renovation

Federal Transit Administration has awarded a $3.98-million federal grant to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for the renovation of the Wayne Junction Intermodal Facility.

"With gas prices reaching above four dollars-per-gallon in some areas, President Obama is committed to providing transit opportunities that help people avoid pain at the pump," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The administration’s investment in Wayne Junction will also do a better job connecting residents with jobs and economic opportunities throughout the region."

The facility, located in the historic Germantown/Nicetown community, has played a vital role in the development of the local community. The facility is now considered a major transit hub, connecting five regional rail lines, one trackless trolley route and two bus routes.

The $3.98 million grant will go toward a $32 million project that includes power, signal and track upgrades, new elevators and required accommodations for persons with disabilities. It will also provide for construction and repair of platforms, tunnel and stairway restoration, improvements to various passenger amenities and improved technology and painting.

Sacramento Railyards project breaks ground

The Sacramento downtown rail line relocation project is now underway. Moving the rail lines is the first phase of a long-term project that includes the construction of the intermodal station, which will connect downtown to Amtrak and Capitol Corridor trains, RT light rail and buses. Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), who was there at the project’s ground breaking, has been an advocate for the rail line project and helped secure over $26 million dollars in federal Recovery Act funding to help relocate the rail lines. The project will create over 350 construction jobs onsite and a total of 1,107 local jobs including the offsite jobs by way of subcontracting, truck drivers, material producers, service providers and others.

"Relocating the rail lines has been one of Sacramento’s top priorities for a number of years now, and is the first step in a much larger plan for downtown," said Congresswoman Matsui. "This relocation will improve safety and efficiency, and allow for the development of both the intermodal facility and the Railyards. This groundbreaking is the culmination of the efforts of hundreds of people at every level of government and is a great victory for the City of Sacramento.

"We must continue to make investments in our local infrastructure, from transportation to flood protection, in order to put people back to work today and plan for tomorrow," Matsui added. "The rail line relocation project is a prime example of the type of projects we must stay focused on and the federal government must continue to support."

Second TRACS meeting focuses on safety

The second meeting of the Transit Rail Advisory Committee for Safety, held on April 27 and 28, focused on the best models for state safety oversight partnerships and effective safety planning by local transit agencies.

"Safety is our highest priority and we are committed to keeping transit one of the safest modes of transportation in the nation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The work of TRACS will be invaluable to FTA’s ability to establish and enforce safety standards when Congress approves the Public Transportation Safety Program Act."

TRACS was chartered by Secretary LaHood to guide the Federal Transit Administration safety rulemakings when the Obama Administration’s Public Transportation Safety Program Act becomes law. That legislation would authorize the Department of Transportation to establish federal safety standards for rail transit systems. FTA currently lacks the statutory authority to oversee transit agency safety programs and promulgate safety regulations and standards as a general matter. During the 111th Congress, the Senate Banking Committee reported a bipartisan version of the Administration’s proposal by a unanimous vote in July 2010.

In the second meeting, the group focused on two reports drafted by its members. The first report identifies the best model for state safety oversight partnership and the second makes recommendations for local transit agencies on developing effective safety planning.

"This effort is solely about the safety of the transit employees and riders who comprise the ten billion passenger rides provided each year by public transportation across the country," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. "For the well being of those riders and workers, Congress needs to rescind an antiquated 1960s era law that forbids the federal government from issuing even the most basic safety regulations. TRACS is a critically important tool that will ensure that the FTA does this job smartly and efficiently once Congress acts."

LACMTA adopts Arbor Vitae/Bellanca location for maintenance facility, eases rules for peak-hour bike

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors adopted the Arbor Vitae/Bellanca location in Los Angeles as the Locally Preferred Alternative maintenance facility site for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor.

The Arbor/Vitae/Bellanca is a 17.6-acre site located in the City of Los Angeles and is bounded by Arbor Vitae Street to the north, Neutrogena Corporation to the west and the Harbor Subdivision railroad right-of-way to the east.

The development of a new maintenance facility is necessary since it will be used to store, maintain, repair and clean light rail vehicles.

The maintenance facility site will serve the Metro Green Line, Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor, South Bay Metro Green Line Extension and the Metro Green Line to LAX projects.

The LPA maintenance site will be incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report, which is tentatively scheduled for final approval by the Board in July 2011.

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor is an 8.5-mile light rail line that will extend from the intersection of Exposition and Crenshaw Boulevards to the Metro Green Line. The project will serve the cities of Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne, El Segundo and portions of the unincorporated Los Angeles County and is funded by Measure R.

Additionally, LACMTA approved a staff recommendation to remove peak-hour restrictions for bicycles on the Metro Rail system and authorized the removal of seats to better accommodate bicycles and other large items, moves that will help make bicycles a more viable alternative mode of transportation throughout L.A. County.

LACMTA Bikes on Rail policy previously prohibited bikes from being taken on board Metro Blue, Gold, Red and Green Line trains in certain directions of travel between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and in all directions within L.A.’s Central Business District during those hours.

The Board also authorized the phased-in removal of seats on the Metro Gold, Green and Blue Line trains. Seats on the Metro Red/Purple Line have already been removed.

To accommodate a greater numbers of bicycle customers as well as regular transit customers, LACMTA plans to increase the frequency and capacity of its rail services as seats are removed.
LACMTA will amend its Customer Code of Conduct, which goes into effect July 1, 2011, to be consistent with the revised policy.

 

WMATA adjusts FY12 budget

Washington Metropolitain Area Transit Authority has adjusted next fiscal year’s budget to reflect an improvement of $6 million, based on nine months of actual spending data, job growth forecasts and rising gas prices, which support conservative ridership growth projections. 



The revised FY 2012 budget means that WMATA expects its operating expenses to be $2 million less than the FY12 budget originally proposed in January, or essentially flat. The update also includes a revised request for an increase in operating subsidies from the jurisdictions, from the original request of $72 million, down to $66 million. 



The budget proposal does not include fare increases or major service cuts and incorporates $74.2 million in operating cost reductions. To provide the revised level of support, the Board has a number of options to consider, including the request for $66 million in additional jurisdiction subsidies. 



Those alternatives include monetizing certain ground leases, budgeting preventive maintenance at FY 2011 levels, adjusting reserve for wages, as well as realigning certain bus services and changing the frequency of late-night, weekend rail service. 





The Board is slated to act on the FY 2012 budget in June, and any service changes they adopt would take effect September 2011. 



 

MARTA proposed FY12 budget includes fare increase

The Metropolitain Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board has released a proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budget of $413.76 million, a Capital Budget totaling $185.5 million and $143.7 million in debt service.

The proposal, which will be presented at a series of public hearings on May 16 and 17, 2011, is focused on maintaining MARTA’s long-term financial sustainability, preserving transit service and state-of-good-repair, enhancing some bus routes and implementing new security initiatives.

External recommendations include a base fare increase from $2.00 to $2.50, with weekly and monthly pass price increases. In addition, the proposal includes the continuation of staggered increases for mobility base fare, reduced fare and mobility passes as indicated in the previous, FY 2010 base fare increase. Mobility base fare, reduced fare and mobility passes will not be impacted by the proposed FY 2012 base fare increase.

Internal recommendations in the proposed budget include no annual merit or wage increases for non-represented and represented employees, which would be the fourth year in a row.

The Authority’s finances have been negatively impacted by the overall economic downturn. With no new funding sources on the horizon this fiscal year, MARTA is proposing these changes now to avoid any additional service cuts and to ensure metro Atlanta’s prospects for expanded regional transit in the future.

If approved by the Board of Directors as part of the FY 2012 budget, fare changes would take effect October 2, 2011.

Copies of the proposed budget, fare changes and service modifications are available for review on the MARTA website www.itsmarta.com.

The MARTA Board of Directors will vote on the final budget on June 6, 2011.

NS supports Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee storm recovery

Norfolk Southern is supporting relief efforts in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, three of the states hardest hit by severe storms the week of April 25.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at NS are with our employees, neighbors and business partners who have been affected by these terrible storms," said CEO Wick Moorman. "Weather may be unpredictable, but what is certain is that in its wake all of us will pull together to recover and rebuild."

Norfolk Southern’s contributions will include $100,000 to the American Red Cross in each of the three states, free rail transportation for movement of certain critical response supplies and zero-interest loans for employees who suffered property damage.

Norfolk Southern has 3,600 employees in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and operates over 2,400 miles of railroad there.

 

UPDS achieves top score for EPA’s SmartWay Transport Program

Union Pacific Distribution Services earned the Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transport program’s highest score, joining the ranks of exceptional environmental performers dedicated to energy efficiency and air quality.

SmartWay Transport is a collaborative effort between the EPA and the freight sector designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions and improve energy security. Companies that participate in SmartWay Transport programs save money, reduce fuel consumption and are recognized for their social responsibility and leadership.

"Increasingly, customers are considering fuel economy and environmental impact when making logistics provider decisions," said Brad Thrasher, UPDS assistant vice president and general manager. "This certification shows our dedication to environmental stewardship and providing the best value for our customers."

UPDS became a SmartWay Transportation Partner in 2008 and a SmartWay Transport provider since 2005, achieving the program’s top score in 2006 and retaining it each year since. Partner ratings are calculated by various fuel-efficiency and emission control technologies, policies and fleet strategies.

Invensys recognized for PATH re-signaling project

The Software Engineering Institute of Carnegie Mellon University has appraised Invensys Rail Corp. at a Capability Maturity Model Integration Level 2 for work the company is performing for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit system.

CMMI Level 2 is an internationally recognized assessment process developed by SEI that provides a framework of best practices to guide an organization to improve quality, system engineering and project management through the use of reliable and repeatable processes. Invensys Rail is part of a consortium with Siemens Mobility and D. A. Builders, LLC, to design and install a new train control system on the PATH rail transit network.

NS begins construction on $105 million Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility

Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined state and local dignitaries and business and community leaders at the groundbreaking for the new Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility in Rossville, Tenn. The $105 million facility is part of the multi-state $2.5 billion Crescent Corridor initiative to establish an efficient, high-capacity intermodal freight rail route between the South and the Northeast on Norfolk Southern’s rail network.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited sign services agreement

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s subsidiary, Western Labrador Rail Services, has entered into a long-term rail services agreement with Labrador Iron Mines Limited, a subsidiary of Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited. Under the terms of the Agreement, WLRS will operate LIM’s newly constructed six-kilometer (3.8-mile) railway, which connects LIM’s Silver Yards processing facility in western Labrador to Tshiuetin Rail Transportation Inc.’s privately-owned rail line that runs from Schefferville, Quebec to Emeril Junction, Quebec.

WLRS will provide and operate up to five locomotives that will also be used by TSH to haul unit trains of iron ore to Emeril Junction. The iron ore will then travel over a third privately-owned railway to port facilities in Sept-Iles on the St. Lawrence River for export to the seaborne iron ore market. Operations are expected to begin in May 2011.

Study shows economic benefits of HSR in the Midwest

A high-speed rail system serving all major metropolitan areas within 350-450 miles of Chicago could result in significant ridership, economic development and job creation, according to a study done by the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, with Siemens, who sponsored the study and research partners AECOM and the Economic Development Research Group.

The study, titled "The Economic Impacts of High Speed Rail: Transforming the Midwest," highlights the following possibilities:

• An estimated 43 million annual riders from 13 cities and major metropolitan areas

• More than $2.2 billion annually in user-generated revenues

• 25 daily departures on each of the four corridors

• Capacity for up to 10 trains in peak hours on each corridor

• 2-3 hour travel times between Chicago and the furthest points of the network

• 104,000 new jobs and an additional $5.5 billion in wages each year in the Chicago Metro area resulting from increased economic development

• $13.8 billion per-year increase in business sales for the Chicago Metro area alone


"We believe that a high-speed rail system will unify the Midwest and solidify its future position as one the world’s most powerful economies," said Richard Harnish, executive director, Midwest High-Speed Rail Association. "The economic impact of the 220-mph network in the Midwest would be staggering. In the Chicago area alone, it would create thousands of new jobs and business opportunities that will support and enhance the Chicago metropolitan area’s global competitiveness."

AECOM and EDRG researched a system that would serve all major metropolitan areas within 350 to 450 miles of Chicago. This region would be served by a four-spoke network, with Chicago at the center of corridors connecting to Cleveland/Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Trains would operate at 220-mph on dedicated track with no grade crossings.

"Siemens has seen first hand the positive impact high-speed rail has had on communities around the world," said Oliver Hauck, president, Mobility Division, Siemens Industry, Inc. "The new jobs added in the Chicago Metro Area alone as a result of a high-speed rail network and transit-oriented development represent $118 billion in wages over 30 years, and the new business sales generated are estimated to be almost $300 billion over 30 years."

The purpose of this study is to provide a roadmap for implementing high-speed rail in the Midwest. It describes the steps needed to make this vision a reality and the potential economic benefits for each of the other cities on the system and the region as a whole, while illustrating how high-speed rail could help to transform economies of the Midwest.

 

FRA awards Caltrans $100 million

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded the California Department of Transportation $100 million to purchase new equipment on Amtrak California trains that service the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner rail corridors.

"California has seen a 60 percent increase in ridership in the last decade on the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner corridors," said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim. "This grant will allow us to meet the growing needs of rail passengers in California and continue providing an alternate choice for travel in the state."

This award will allow Caltrans to add to its current fleet and address future growth in Amtrak California rail travel. The new bi-level equipment includes 27 new cars of which nine will replace single-level equipment used on the Pacific Surfliner and 18 will allow for growth on both the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner corridors.

The grant was funded through federal fiscal year 2010 appropriations provided for high-speed and intercity passenger rail. This project is the first to be authorized under the Next Generation design standards in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA), which were developed to primarily promote the creation of a pool of standardized equipment for Amtrak and the states to use in various state-sponsored rail corridors.

UP to spend $33 million for track improvements in Missouri, Wyoming

Union Pacific will continue improving Wyoming and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure with a nearly $33 million investment to enhance rail lines that run from near Medicine Bow to Walcott in Wyoming and St. Louis to near Morrison in Missouri.

The more than 32-mile project in Wyoming includes removing and installing more than 20,000 ties, renewing the surfaces at five road crossings and replacing nearly two miles of rail in various curves. Crews will also spread 43,700 tons of ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.

For Missouri, more than 52 miles of new rail will be installed, surfaces at 54 road crossings will be replaced and more than one mile of rail in various curves will be upgraded. Crews will also replace five switches.

NCDOT awards $2 million to nine shortlines for maintenance

The North Carolina Board of Transportation has awarded nearly $2 million in state funds to nine small freight railroads through the Short Line Infrastructure Assistance Program. The grants will be used to help with track and bridge maintenance and other improvements.

"These grants will retain jobs and support economic development in rural areas," Transportation Secretary Gene Conti said. "At the same time, the grants will help modernize the state’s rail system and bring about improved capacity, reliability and safety."

SIAP’s focus is to help shortlines maintain and improve their tracks and better serve industries in primarily rural areas. The money will be used to assist nine railroads that will directly benefit 20 counties serving 62 companies. The money is a part of a public-private partnership, with at least 50 percent coming from the shortline railroad companies.

"Shortline railroads connect our shippers with the national rail network," said Andrew Perkins, chair of the Board of Transportation’s Rail Subcommittee. "They ensure that our industries can receive raw materials and ship products across the country."

State SIAP funds are appropriated by the N.C. General Assembly on a year-by-year basis. These grant funds are not automatically recurring.

NS receives its 11th TRANSCAER Award

Norfolk Southern Corporation has earned the TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) National Achievement Award for 2010. This is the 11th time, and the ninth consecutive year, that Norfolk Southern has earned the award that recognizes extraordinary achievement in support of efforts to prepare communities to respond to a possible hazardous materials transportation incident.

In 2010, Norfolk Southern held multiple large-scale training events in Asheville, N.C.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Johnson City, Morristown and Martin, Tenn.; Mobile, McIntosh, Selma, Jasper and Muscle Shoals, Ala.; and Rural Retreat, Va. Along with other Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER events throughout the year, these training events reached out to 92 cities and counties in adjoining states and resulted in the training of 4,890 emergency responders.

Norfolk Southern chose the training locations based on key hazardous materials routes as well as requests from shippers of hazardous materials and local emergency responders. Training events included classroom instruction, hands-on training and table-top and actual drills.

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