USDOT Clears $2.9B for Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on June 10 reported approving another 529 infrastructure grants totaling more than $2.9 billion. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration will administer grants to 47 rail-related projects, totaling approximately $919 million.

Phoenix Launches South Central Extension/Downtown Hub

PHOENIX – Valley Metro light rail on June 7 expanded into south Phoenix, Ariz., with the opening of the $1.34 billion South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project, marking its evolution to a 35-mile two-line system. More than

RBMN Iron Horse Ramble with iconic Reading Northern type steam locomotive 2012.

RBMN Earns NRHS-Railway Age-RT&S Historic Preservation Award

The National Railway Historical Society, Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures have awarded Reading Blue Mountain & Northern (RBMN) their third annual Historic Preservation Award, which recognizes and honors a North American common-carrier railroad for a historically significant preservation

$157MM Secured for Springfield Rail Improvements Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has fully obligated $157,126,494 from the FRA CRISI grant program for the final segment of the Springfield (Ill.) Rail Improvements Project, allowing construction to move forward. The announcement

ST&T’s 30-member team has an “unwavering commitment to safety,” according to owner CPKC, and has increased output from 460,000 ties in 2022 to more than 700,000 in 2024.

ST&T Marks Safety Milestone

Vivian, La.-based Superior Tie and Timber (ST&T) has celebrated 2,500 days without an injury, according to owner Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). ST&T “holds the unique position of being the only crosstie

Metra and its freight railroad and municipal partners are taking on a wide variety of projects in 2025, including improvements to 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings.

Metra Outlines 2025 Construction Program

CHICAGO, Ill. – Metra on March 18 detailed its program for the 2025 construction season, covering station, track, road crossing, bridge, and signal/communications improvement projects along the Chicagoland commuter railroad’s 11 lines totaling

Norfolk Southern Achieves Milestone with Digital Train Inspection Portal

ATLANTA ––Norfolk Southern (NS) achieves a milestone with its Digital Train Inspection Portal.

Alabama Port Authority, CSX Break Ground on Inland Port

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ––The Alabama Port Authority and CSX on Feb. 27 kicked off construction of the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF), which is expected to be operational by 2027.

Report: Will Minnesota Shutter Northstar? –– From Railway Age

Northstar commuter rail service between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn., may be replaced by bus service, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune and other local media outlets. “MnDOT’s recent Twin Cities – St. Cloud-Fargo/Moorhead Corridor

Hitachi Energy Awarded ‘Truck Diversion’ Grant from Virginia DRPT — From Railway Age

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. –– Hitachi Energy will receive a $175,000 grant to support the rehabilitation of 1,000 feet of track at its South Boston facility in Halifax County, Va., through the Virginia Department of

Figure 1: The derailment site.

NTSB Determines Probable Cause for October 2023 BNSF Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Oct. 15, 2023, accident involving a BNSF train that struck and partially collapsed a bridge that crosses over

GDC Awards Manhattan Tunnel Project Contract

NEW YORK –– Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini JV on Feb. 3 landed the $1.8 billion Manhattan Tunnel Project contract from the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) Board of Commissioners, which authorized the notice to proceed with construction. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with substantial completion anticipated in 2029.

Calling All ‘Short Line/Regional of the Year’ Nominations! Deadline: Feb. 5

Railway Age is inviting all Class II and III railroads to submit entries for its annual Short Line and Regional Railroad of the Year awards competition. The deadline is fast-approaching: Feb. 5, 2025.

“We’re thrilled to announce the successful installation of our Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS) for Vale EFVM. Locomotive 1256 entered service on November 11 and is already making a significant impact!” ENSCO Rail reported via LinkedIn earlier this month.

Brazilian Mining Railroad Running ENSCO’s ATGMS

Mining railroad VALE EFVM (Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas) in Brazil has equipped locomotive No. 1256 with ENSCO Rail’s Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS), according to the supplier. The system is described as providing “continuous,

Kentucky, North Carolina Invest in Short Line, Port Infrastructure Projects

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division have awarded $7.5 million and $12.9 million respectively to rail projects at short lines and ports in their states. In Kentucky, eight rail

SEPTA/TWU Contract Talks Continue (UPDATED 11/8)

PHILADELPHIA ––Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) largest union—Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 representing more than 5,300 workers—on Oct. 27 voted to authorize a strike, according to local media reports. While the union contract expired at midnight on Nov. 7, SEPTA reported that negotiations will continue Nov. 8 with all transit agency services operating on normal schedules.

UP: New Intermodal Terminal Coming to Kansas City

OMAHA –– Construction is under way for a new Union Pacific (UP) intermodal terminal in Kansas City, Mo., which the Class I railroad said will serve both domestic and international containerized shipments of grains, consumer goods, refrigerated products, and pet foods. It is expected to open in mid-2025, adding capacity to UP’s current Kansas City operation.

SC Ports Boosting Rail Capabilities

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. ––“We know the confidence our customers place in us when they choose our port,” South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) President and CEO Barbara Melvin said during her State of the Port address on Oct. 16. “We are making strategic investments in rail-supported infrastructure to support their growth in the Southeast.”

CN, CPKC Lock Out Employees, Move Toward Network Shut Downs

ATLANTA –– Although labor issues are not on our beat, we would be remiss in not reporting the situation that’s taking place in Canada right now. Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor of Railway Age, filed this report today.

The Surrey Langley project will extend SkyTrain’s Expo Line nearly 10 miles and include eight stations. (Rendering Courtesy of the Province of British Columbia)

All Three Contracts Awarded for C$6B Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project

METRO VANCOUVER – The province of British Columbia has formally awarded three teams contracts for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project, which it reported will cost nearly C$2 billion more and be completed one year later than

LOAD MORE