Author: jrood

APTA: House and Senate release plans for Surface Transportation legislation

As the newly sworn-in 112th Congress begins to organize for the legislative business ahead, a few key committee leaders have begun to reveal their plans for the next surface transportation authorization bill. In a series of meetings with transportation industry groups (including APTA President Bill Millar), new Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced his commitment to writing a full six-year bill this year and outlined four guiding principles for the legislation. Chairman Mica plans to introduce legislation that will achieve the following:


1) Stabilize the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring that spending authorized in the bill will not exceed actual Trust Fund receipts.

2) Recapture unspent federal funds within the transportation program.  Specific funds have not been identified, but the Chairman has noted that there are significant un-obligated funds available throughout the federal transportation program.

3) Utilizing public private partnerships and other alternative financing mechanisms to leverage federal funds.  Chairman Mica plans to encourage more investment from the private sector for transportation projects.

4) Streamline programs and speed project delivery. The Chairman noted that delays in project delivery add unnecessary costs to programs funded with federal dollars.

Chairman Mica’s goals for the legislation are based on the premise that there will be no new resources available to increase trust fund revenues and that the political climate is not favorable for a general increase in spending without budget offsets. Therefore, he is committed to “doing more with less” and finding alternative means of continuing spending at the current or an increased rate. 


UP promotes two in operations

Brian McGavock has been appointed to general superintendent of Harriman Dispatching Center, based in Omaha, Neb. He succeeds Mark Payne, who is retiring after 32 years of service. In his new role, McGavock is responsible for train dispatching over UP’s 5,500-mile Southern Region in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. McGavock joined UP in 1998. He has held operating positions in Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois and Louisiana, most recently serving as general superintendent of transportation services for the Houston Service Unit.  He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University.

Additionally, Tom Lischer replaces McGavock as general superintendent of transportation services for Houston Service Unit.  He is responsible for safe operations over 1,700 miles of track.  Lischer started his railroad career with UP in 1995 as a trainee in UP’s National Customer Service Center in St. Louis. In addition to marketing and sales, Lischer held numerous positions in the Operating Department in Omaha, Chicago, Wisconsin and Iowa, most recently acting as superintendent transportation services for the Utah Service Unit. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri.

Nordco shuffles senior management

Nordco Inc. has made two changes in its senior management team that are part of a coordinated effort to build closer, more productive relationships with its maintenance-of-way customers.

Bob Coakley has been named director of sales and marketing at Nordco. Coakley is heading up the company’s new direct sales organization and will have overall responsibility for the company’s sales and marketing efforts in the railroad maintenance-of-way marketplace.

Coakley previously worked in various sales and marketing roles at another Nordco company, Dapco Industries, in Ridgefield, Conn.

In a related move, Greg Spilker has assumed a new role in the company’s maintenance-of-way business. Spilker, who previously was responsible for new machine sales and marketing, will now focus solely on sales of Nordco’s complete maintenance-of-way product and service offerings, which include new and rebuilt equipment and parts.

Spilker will continue to work closely with Coakley and the direct sales organization in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Both Coakley and Spilker are based in Nordco’s Oak Creek, Wis., offices.

“The changes will further strengthen Nordco’s alignment with the needs of our customers,” said Nordco CEO Bruce Boczkiewicz. “These moves position us to put our knowledge, expertise and resources to work in the most productive way possible, and help us provide the high level of service that our customers have come to expect from Nordco.”

U.S. Steel names Sommers president of Transtar

United States Steel Corporation named Malisa J. Sommers managing director of transportation and president of Transtar, Inc., U. S. Steel’s transportation subsidiary.

As managing director of transportation, Sommers will be responsible for various aspects of transportation and logistics, including the logistics services group headed by James V. Bard, at U. S. Steel facilities in North America. She will also oversee operations at the railroad and barge companies that comprise Transtar, Inc.: Birmingham Southern Railroad Company; Delray Connecting Railroad Company; Fairfield Southern Company; Gary Railway Company; The Lake Terminal Railroad Company; Lorain Northern Company; McKeesport Connecting Railroad Company; Texas & Northern Railway Company; Union Railroad Company; and Warrior & Gulf Navigation LLC.  

Sommers will report to Vice President of Supply Chain & Customer Service Anton Lukac.  

Prior to joining U. S. Steel in 2001, Sommers worked for Wheeling-Nisshin, Inc., a steel coating facility in Follansbee, W.Va., for 13 years. Sommers spent her first three years with U. S. Steel at Straightline, the company’s former steel distribution subsidiary, serving two years as manager of demand fulfillment and one year as manager of customer care.  

In 2004, Sommers moved to U. S. Steel’s corporate headquarters after being named manager of purchasing information technology. One year later, she advanced to manager of CAPEX procurement, where she managed procurement activities related to capital expenditure projects around the company. In 2007, she was named manager of materials management and in 2009 she advanced to her most recent position, general manager of global materials management and procurement operations.  

UP increases speed on Wisconsin line

Recent track improvements will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains in western Wisconsin communities, reducing motorist wait time at crossings. The speed will increase from 30 mph to 50 mph across more than 20 miles of Union Pacific’s line between Hudson and Menomonie, Wis.

Train speeds will be increased 10 mph on February 21, 2011, and another 10 mph on February 28, 2011, when the new maximum speed limit of 50 mph goes into effect.

Union Pacific invested more than $4 million in 2010 by replacing the rail between Hudson and Menomonie, Wis., improving the surfaces at 26 grade crossings and replacing five switches.

Cubic to test open payment technology on PATCO

Port Authority Transit Corporation high speed line customers will be able to pay transit fares with their credit or debit cards in 2011 under a pilot agreement between Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., the transportation segment of Cubic Corporation and PATCO, a subsidiary of the Delaware River Port Authority.

UP employees achieve record safety performance

Union Pacific’s 2010 employee safety performance was the best in the company’s nearly 150-year history. Union Pacific’s full-year employee reportable injury rate was 1.37, a six percent improvement over the previous best of 1.45 established in 2009.

A company’s injury rate is calculated using the number of injuries per 200,000 worker hours, which is equivalent to the number of hours worked by 100 full-time employees in a year.

"Employees being more aware of risk, improving and standardizing best practices and embracing Total Safety Culture were key factors in our 2010 performance," said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific vice president – Safety, Security and Environment. "Maintaining a safe work environment contributes to the railroad’s operating efficiency, enhances reliability and service for our customers, and most importantly keeps employees out of harm’s way. We believe all incidents are preventable and will continue to find ways to achieve our ultimate goal of zero injuries."

Axion International secures $15 Million contract with Class 1

Axion International, a producer of recycled composite plastic industrial building products and railroad ties, signed a $15 million contract with North American Class 1 railroad. This Class 1 railroad has agreed to purchase a minimum of $5 million per year of Axion’s composite railroad ties, designed from 100 percent recycled plastic.

"Entering into this $15 million contract represents a historic event and extraordinary milestone for Axion and our shareholders," said Steve Silverman, Axion’s president and chief executive officer. "As we continue to expand our sales efforts, this contract is a clear signal that the Class 1 railroad market is looking for longer-lasting, more long-term economical alternatives to wood and concrete and is ready to make significant investments in Axion’s innovative recycled plastic technology."

Clifford named CEO of Chicago’s Metra

The Metra Board of Directors has selected Alexander D. Clifford, an executive with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, to be the commuter rail agency’s executive director and chief executive officer.

The appointment was made in a unanimous vote by the 11-member Metra board after a nationwide search conducted by Slavin Management Consultants, a government executive search firm.

"His experience as a big-picture policy-maker and a day-to-day operations manager make him uniquely qualified to lead Metra," Metra Chairman Carole R. Doris said. "It is my belief that he is the right man for the job at the right time."
Mr. Clifford said he is coming to Metra with a reform agenda. "The Metra Board has tasked me with restoring public confidence in our agency by instilling strong financial and management controls and inspiring Metra employees to meeting these important challenges," he said. "We will also continue to modernize our operation including incorporating new technology for better customer communications."

Clifford, 51, most recently served as executive officer, high-speed rail, for Metro, working as an ombudsman with the California High Speed Rail Authority to help facilitate the integration of high-speed train service into existing transportation corridors in Los Angeles County. He was responsible for making sure the interests of the county, various municipalities and other stakeholders were represented and that the potential impacts of the project were properly addressed.

Clifford also oversaw Metro’s interest in the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink commuter rail) as well as its interests in the Los Angeles-San Diego Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN).

NJ TRANSIT opens Bayonne station

 

NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein joined local, state and federal officials at the grand opening of the new 8th Street Station in Bayonne, welcoming Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service to a new neighborhood and kicking off inaugural service on the recently completed one-mile extension.

OCTA awarded nearly $140 Million to deliver projects

 

Transportation projects throughout Orange County received an added boost when the California Transportation Commission allocated nearly $140 million to fund construction.
The projects awarded are part of the State Transportation Improvement Program and voter-approved Proposition 1B, a $20 billion bond program to fund transportation projects throughout the state.

The commission allocated the money as a result of state bond sales last month.

In addition to the $69 million awarded to a road project, OCTA rail projects that received funding include:

• $29.2 million for construction of the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center

• $22.6 million for the Kraemer Boulevard railroad grade separation

• $15 million for the Placentia Avenue railroad grade separation

• $2 million for rail crossing improvements in San Clemente and Dana Point

• $1 million for signal synchronization

Since its passage in 2006, more than $7 billion in Prop 1B funds has been allocated, including more than $420 million for Orange County projects.

MTA to make every dollar count in 2011

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released an agenda for 2011 that carries forward the work begun last year under the agency’s report entitled "Making Every Dollar Count." The 2011 agenda continues a fundamental re-shaping of the MTA that includes cost-cutting that will result in cumulative savings of $3.8 billion by 2014, customer service improvements begun last year such as countdown clocks and implementation of systemic changes, including all-electronic tolling. 

 

"It’s a new year, but our focus remains unchanged," said MTA Chairman Jay Walder. "We will make every dollar count. We will continue to cut costs to create a more efficient MTA. We will continue to improve service for our customers. We brought change to the MTA in 2010, and we’re going to build on that success in 2011." 

 

In pursuing the goals of last year’s agenda, the MTA identified $525 million in annual savings through an emergency overhaul of the way the MTA does business – helping to limit the impact of the economic downturn on the MTA’s customers. Despite historic budget austerity, the agency delivered a number of long-promised benefits to customers: activation of countdown clocks at more than 100 subway stations; bringing security cameras online; overhauling the MTA website and demonstrating the promise of bus service through a series of travel innovations that have significantly increase bus speeds.

IAIS increases 2011 capital expenditures to highest ever

Iowa Interstate Railroad has increased its 2011 capital spending program to $4.5 million. The company expects to invest a total of approximately $35 million during the year. Principal components of the program include:

1. Construction of a modern diesel shop and logistics center in Homestead, Iowa for $14 million to support its recently upgraded locomotive fleet;
2. Completion of a car repair shop, maintenance-of-way base and train crew center in Silvis, Ill., for $1.3 million to support current and anticipated traffic growth;
3. Installation of 15 miles of new rail for $6.4 million; and
4. Replacement of ties and surfacing for $7.6 million.

To meet customer-specific needs and expansion, the company also expects to spend $2 million on track spur improvements to a customer elevator in Atlantic, Iowa; $1 million in paving an intermodal facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and $1 million on yard improvements and construction of a new team track for transmodal expansion in Council Bluffs.

Part of the required financing will be met with a bank loan and the balance will be generated from internal funds and utilization of the recently extended "45G" Tax Credit through 2011.

IAIS President and& CEO Denny Miller commented, "While it is gratifying to see these improvements driven by traffic growth, it is important to note that we increased the infrastructure portion of our capital program from roughly $9.5 million to $14 million as a direct result of the extension of the 45G Tax Credit program into 2011. This program provides for tax credits tied to infrastructure investment in support of increased capacity and we are making full use of it. Additional benefits to the regional economy will of course include increased employment and purchases from our suppliers, but this is first and foremost about infrastructure investment in support of growth."

WMATA completes first phase of Shady Grove platform rehabilitation repairs ahead of schedule

WMATA’s Shady Grove Metrorail station customers have full use of the station’s platform again – three days early as a result of repair work that took place round-the-clock.

The first phase of this state-of-good-repair project involved replacing deteriorated sections of the platform edges with new concrete. Construction personnel will return in the spring to replace the platform tiles.

Platform repair work at the Shady Grove Metrorail station began on Friday, Dec. 17, and during that time, one side of the station platform was closed to conduct the work. WMATA officials expedited the platform repairs to take advantage of traditionally lighter passenger counts during the winter and to ensure completion of the work prior to the start of the tourist season.

The platform work is a part of the larger comprehensive Red Line rehabilitation program, which runs through 2013, and is focused on bringing the rail system back to a state of good repair to help ensure and improve service reliability.

Pennsylvania receives $750,000 grant to study Keystone Corridor expansion

The Federal Railroad Administration has provided a $750,000 High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program grant to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to study the expansion of Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.

Passenger trains on the Keystone Corridor currently operate at 110 mph between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg and have seen ridership grow from 891,764 passengers in 2006 to 1,296,838 last year.

The study will evaluate the feasibility of electrifying track between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, construction of dedicated tracks for passenger trains and major signal and switch improvements. The study will also evaluate installation of concrete ties, procurement of new passenger cars and alternative route alignments. The FRA grant is from FRA’s fiscal year 2009 Intercity Passenger Rail appropriation with a 50 percent state match requirement from Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation.