DEIR affirms benefits of proposed BNSF rail facility in Southern California

The updated Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) released by the Port of Los Angeles affirms that BNSF’s proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) facility will result in an overall improvement in air quality, health risk and traffic in both the immediate neighborhoods around the site and throughout the region.

UP makes operating department changes

Union Pacific made operating department changes, which will be effective October 1.

CP hires vice president and CIO

Canadian Pacific appointed Michael Redeker to vice president and chief information officer, effective October 15, 2012. Redeker was most recently chief information officer at ATB Financial.

CDOT exploring technology for possible I-70 HSR plan

As part of its Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) Division of Transit and Rail is issuing a Request for Statements of Technology Information.

Massachusetts rail network report shows progress

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray released a progress report titled “Transforming the Rail Network for Economic and Community Development.”

USDOT awards more than $74 million for development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor in Virginia

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C., and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service.

CSX named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index for second consecutive year

CSX Corporation was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for North America for the second consecutive year and was the only U.S. railroad listed in 2012.

Canadian Pacific offers faster transcon service

Canadian Pacific launched new faster intermodal train services connecting Vancouver, B.C., to Toronto, ON, or Chicago, Ill.

BNSF wins Hay Award at AREMA conference

BNSF was awarded the 2012 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence during the AREMA Annual Conference in Chicago, Ill.

Indiana Gateway Project receives $71.3 million in federal funds

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $71.3 million to Indiana to help alleviate congestion in one of the region’s most delay-prone rail corridors. The Indiana Gateway Project will both relieve congestion and support the development of higher performing intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest.

Iowa grants more than $4 million to state railroad projects

The Iowa Transportation Commission approved more than $4 million in funding for nine rail infrastructure and related rail development projects under the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) program. The rail projects are expected to support the creation and retention of more than 110 jobs within the next three years and spur development of six industrial areas across the state. The proposed developments will leverage millions in new capital investments across the state.

Mass. Gov. Patrick appoints MassDOT Board of Directors

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick appointed Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors, adding to the panel new individuals with extensive expertise and leadership in transportation and business.

Simmons-Boardman and RailAdvisor join forces

Railway Age, International Railway Journal and Railway Track and Structures have partnered with RailAdvisor to present the world’s railway information in a more concise and global manner than ever before.

University of Alberta opens rail research facility

The University of Alberta in Canada has launched a new partnership that will support jobs and long-term success in the Canadian rail sector. This new partnership, the Canadian Rail Research laboratory, is a joint initiative between the Government of Canada, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF), the Association of American Railroads, Canadian Pacific, Canadian National and the University of Alberta.

KCS maintenance pattern ensures consistent service

KCS president and CEO Dave Starling, executive vice president and chief operating officer Dave Ebbrecht and several others from the transportation, engineering, mechanical, sales and marketing and purchasing teams participated in an inspection trip of the lines between Heavener, Okla. and Shreveport, La., between Shreveport and Wylie, Texas, and south from Shreveport to the intermodal shipper facility in Kendleton, Texas.

UP performs nearly $14 million in Iowa infrastructure improvements

Union Pacific is enhancing Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $14 million in the rail line that runs between Grand Mound and Boone. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by mid November.

BNSF expands Bakken Oil transport capacity to one million barrels per day

BNSF has increased capacity in 2012 to enable the railroad to haul one million barrels per day out of the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana. This increased capacity will allow the energy industry to continue the record expansion of oil production in the Williston Basin and to ship the new production to markets throughout the U.S.

LOSSAN pedestrian safety project installs rail bridge

A portion of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) coastal rail line between Oceanside and Downtown San Diego, Calif., will be shut down as construction crews work to install a new rail bridge for the pedestrian safety undercrossing at Santa Fe Drive in Encinitas.

City of Indianapolis receives $900,000 for rail relocation

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded nearly $900,000 to the city of Indianapolis, Ind., to relocate freight rail traffic from the CSX Transportation mainline that goes through the heart of downtown Indianapolis to the nearby Indianapolis Belt Railroad. This project will separate passenger and freight rail operations, remove 10-12 existing grade crossings and improve safety while decreasing congestion and emissions.

UP to rebuild Shermer Road bridge

Union Pacific plans to replace the current berm/rail system on Shermer Road south of Willow Road in Glenview, Ill., with a permanent bridge. It is expected to be rebuilt within two years.

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