Union Pacific marks employee safety milestone
Union Pacific’s employees achieved a 0.92 reportable injury rate through the third quarter, improving 12 percent over the same period in 2014.
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Rail projects to receive more than $170 million in TIGER grants (so far)
Elected officials sounded their victory horns as the notification process of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) VII awards began.
GCT Canada breaks ground on rail yard reconfiguration project
GCT Canada, the operator of Canada’s flagship container terminal located in Port Metro Vancouver, has broken ground on its GCT Deltaport Intermodal Yard Reconfiguration Project.
BNSF names Austin Western Railroad its shortline of the year
BNSF has named Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) as its 2015 Shortline Railroad of the Year during its annual Shortline Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
VRE says service suspension imminent without PTC extension
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) gave notice that it will be forced to suspend some, if not all, of its commuter rail service in Virginia and Washington, D.C., after December 31, 2015 if Congress does not act to extend the deadline for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).
SANDAG Board adopts 35-year regional transportation plan
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors voted unanimously on October 9, 2015, to adopt the final version of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, a sweeping blueprint for the future that will invest $204 billion into transportation infrastructure projects over the next 35 years.
Trio of Illinois Congressmen urge passing of PTC extension
On Oct. 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations subcommittee, Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03)
Norfolk Southern says no PIH commodities, no passenger service due to PTC deadline
Norfolk Southern said its rail operating subsidiaries will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (PIH) commodities, effective Dec. 1, 2015.
GREX names Grissom COO/EVP customer delivery
Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) promoted current Vice President Engineering Greg Grissom to chief operating officer/executive vice president customer delivery.
CSX to close mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.
As CSX continues to evaluate network resources and match them to demand in a changing business environment, the company plans to close its mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.
Gov. Walker proclaims it Wisconsin Freight Rail Week
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has proclaimed October 19 to 25 Wisconsin Freight Rail Week, where the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin (TDA) will team up to promote, educate and celebrate the freight rail system that contributes to the state’s economy, environment and quality of life.
National Freight Strategic Plan provides roadmap to freight transport challenges
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released the draft National Freight Strategic Plan that offers specific policy proposals and solutions to address the challenges of moving freight in the U.S.
Union Pacific launches new social media safety campaign
Union Pacific this week launched a new campaign exclusively on social media, urging drivers and pedestrians to think about their personal safety first and wait at grade crossings.
Wabtec Corporation acquires Track IQ
Wabtec Corporation has acquired the assets of Track IQ, a manufacturer of wayside sensor systems for the global rail industry. Track IQ has annual sales of about $15 million.
UP begins $90 million Port Laredo expansion
Between 2014 and 2040, freight moving in Texas is projected to nearly double, from two billion tons to more than 3.75 billion tons. A state advisory committee warned that such an extreme increase could worsen an already congested state highway system and alternative modes, such as rail, will be more important than ever if the state is to remain economically competitive.
NJDOT leadership change underway
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jamie Fox will make his anticipated transition back to the private sector by the end of the month, when NJDOT Deputy Commissioner Joseph Bertoni will take over as acting commissioner.
BNSF installs movable-point diamond in Vancouver, Wash.
BNSF posted video of a project on its website showing employees installing a rare track component to address a bottleneck on the network in Vancouver, Wash.
CSX, DelDOT and Operation Lifesaver promote public safety
CSX, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Operation Lifesaver worked together this past weekend to improve public safety at railroad crossings and around railroad tracks in Delaware through education and awareness.
UP and BNSF win distinguished Hay Award at AREMA Conference
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2015 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to Union Pacific and BNSF for the Tower 55 Multimodal Improvement Project in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
Amtrak’s Chicago Gateway Blue Ribbon Panel offers solutions to rail gridlock
The Amtrak panel appointed to find solutions to rail congestion in the Chicago Gateway recommends co-located dispatchers, improved operating practices and projects to prevent $800 billion in impacts from rail gridlock.