Jackson County, KCATA reach funding agreement to purchase Rock Island Corridor

Jackson County and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) reached a cooperative agreement that will provide the financing necessary for the future acquisition of the 17.7 miles of the Rock Island Corridor in Missouri from Union Pacific.

CP acquires Steelcare Inc.

Canadian Pacific has acquired Steelcare Inc., Canada’s largest steel transload facility, which is located in Hamilton, Ontario.

USDOT unveils Build America Transportation Investment Center

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently unveiled its Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC), which will serve as the single point of contact and coordination for states, municipalities and project sponsors looking to utilize federal transportation expertise, apply for federal transportation credit programs and explore ways to access private capital in public-private partnerships.

PHMSA provides grants to train rural responders on hazmat rail incidents

The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is awarding grants totaling $5.9 million to provide hazardous materials training for volunteer or remote emergency responders. The Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grants will go to three non-profit organizations that will provide training for incidents involving shipments of crude oil, ethanol and other flammable liquids by rail.

House T&I Committee introduces legislation for three-year PTC deadline extension

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership introduced legislation to extend the deadline for U.S. railroads to implement Positive Train Control (PTC).

NCRR, Morrisville to replace Crabtree Creek bridge

The North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) is partnering with the town of Morrisville and will invest $6.9 million to construct a new railroad bridge over Crabtree Creek in Morrisville, N.C., replacing a structure built in 1927.

NS renames Memphis yard in honor of Deb Butler

Norfolk Southern‘s yard in Memphis, Tenn., has a new name and it is “Harris Yard,” in honor of Deborah Harris Butler, the railroad’s executive vice president planning and chief information officer, who is retiring Oct. 1, 2015.

Moorman steps down as executive chairman, NS shifts executive management

Charles Moorman is completing his service as executive chairman of the Board of Directors of Norfolk Southern. Effective Oct. 1, 2015, Moorman will continue to serve as a director and senior advisor to the President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires until Dec. 31, 2015, when he will retire from both roles.

NCDOT awards contract for grade separation project in Charlotte

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has awarded a contract for the Sugar Creek Road grade separation project, which is designed to improve railroad capacity, efficiency and safety along Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte, N.C.

Steps taken at federal level to speed up infrastructure projects

The White House Office of Management and Budget, Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Department of Transportation says the Obama Administration will take steps to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, including an enhanced Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard, new guidance to federal agencies establishing metrics for the permitting and environmental review of infrastructure projects.

CP, NS complete Delaware & Hudson South sale

Canadian Pacific completed the sale of more than 280 miles of track from Schenectady, N.Y., to Sunbury, Pa., to Norfolk Southern.

Laura Mohr joins HNTB as rail and transit group director for southern California

Laura Mohr joined HNTB Corporation as vice president and rail and transit group director in one of the firm’s Los Angeles offices.

SNC-Lavalin names Bruce as president, CEO; Card to retire

SNC-Lavalin has named Neil Bruce president and chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, succeeding Robert Card, who will retire. Bruce will begin in his new role October 5, 2015.

GAO calls for additional oversight; AAR calls for deadline extension regarding PTC

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report reviewing the process of Positive Train Control implementation. Bottom line: Most railroads will not meet the deadline.

Toronto area’s “missing link” rail bypass proposal moves forward

A study regarding a freight bypass rail line between the Canadian Pacific Line (Milton GO Rail corridor) west of Trafalgar Road in Milton and the Canadian National bypass Line at Bramalea has been endorsed by the Mississauga City Council.

NCDOT awards contract for rail connection

The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $10.2-million grading contract to C.M. Lindsay & Sons, Inc., to create a new 2.4-mile single-track railroad connection in Robeson County.

CSX shifts leadership roles as Munoz leaves for United

CSX made a number of senior management changes, effective immediately, including the resignation of Oscar Munoz, who has been named president and chief executive of United Continental Holdings, Inc.

NC Board of Transportation adopts state rail plan

The North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted the 2015 Comprehensive State Rail Plan at its meeting on August 5, 2015. The Rail Plan was created to identify near- and long-term freight, passenger and safety projects, in addition to other rail initiatives that will help better serve the state’s communities, businesses and industries.

Gary Smith joins Stantec’s freight rail group

Gary Smith has been named rail sector lead for Stantec’s freight rail team, accountable for growing Stantec’s freight and commuter rail services throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

UP names new VP and AVP of public affairs

Union Pacific promoted Wes Lujan to vice president public affairs for the western region and Liisa Stark to assistant vice president public affairs for Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin; both appointments are effective October 1.

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