NS renames Bellevue yard in honor of Wick Moorman
Norfolk Southern is naming its largest freight train classification yard after Wick Moorman for his leadership in support of freight railroads and their investors, customers and employees.
Class 1
Railway Interchange exhibits sell out
Railway Interchange 2015 host associations say they are gearing up for the biggest event to-date. With four months to go before the event, indoor and outdoor exhibition space is sold out and 60 percent of available hotel rooms have been reserved.
Jerome Marullo joins Simmons-Boardman Railway Division
Jerome Marullo has joined the Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp. Railway Division as Eastern Regional Advertising Sales Manager, with responsibility for Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures and International Railway Journal. He replaces Mark Connolly, who retired on May 22, 2015 after nine years with the company.
USDOT: No policy change following release of technical reports on truck size and weight
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released a series of technical reports on truck size and weight for peer review and public comment as a step toward the completion of the comprehensive study required in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
KCS to build SIT yard, expand classification yard in Louisiana
Kansas City Southern reached an agreement with Sasol Chemicals LLC for the construction and long-term lease of a storage-in-transit (SIT) rail yard to support Sasol’s new ethane cracker and derivatives project in Lake Charles, La. In addition to building the SIT yard for lease to Sasol, KCS will replace and expand its existing rail car classification yard in Mossville, La.
Metrolinx’s UP Express opens for service
Metrolinx‘s Union Pearson Express (UP Express) in Toronto opened to the public June 6 and offers a seamless airport-to-downtown connection. The trip between Union Station and Pearson International Airport, Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs, will take just 25 minutes and trains will depart every 15 minutes.
Union Pacific to spend $137 million in California to maintain track systems
Union Pacific plans to invest about $137 million in 2015 to improve its transportation infrastructure in California. The railroad says its multi-million dollar investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
UP invests $43 million in its rail infrastructure in Idaho
Union Pacific plans to invest about $43 million in 2015 to improve its rail infrastructure in Idaho. The railroad says this investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
UP invests $20 million in Southern Illinois
Union Pacific will strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure investing more than $20 million in the rail line between Chester and Illinois/Missouri border. The project began May 25 and is scheduled to be completed mid-October.
CN to expand cold supply chain reefer capacity
Canadian National will invest CA$20-million (US$-16 million) in the expansion of its cold supply chain capacity to help producers and distributors of chilled or frozen foods grow their businesses in 20 North American and overseas markets.
Feinberg nominated as FRA administrator
On May 29, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Sarah Feinberg as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Feinberg has been serving as acting administrator since January 9, 2015.
Union Pacific to perform $508 million in work among three states
Union Pacific released state investment plans for Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma that the railroad says will enhance community safety, as well as improve railroad efficiency.
STB releases FEIS for proposed Utah line
The Surface Transportation Board‘s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed construction and operation of a 43-mile rail line between Levan and Salina, Utah. Approval to construct and operate the line is being sought by the Six County Association of Governments’ (Six Counties), an association of local governments located in central Utah.
Union Pacific plans $82 million in Louisiana and Missouri improvements
Union Pacific will invest a combined $82 million in to projects in Louisiana and Missouri in 2015. These improvements are part of the railroad’s $4.2 billion capital investment for the year.
KCS to open Wylie terminal in July
Kansas City Southern says a tentative opening date of July 11, 2015, has been set for its new, state-of-the-art intermodal facility in Wylie, Texas.
KCS to increase Laredo Sub speeds following track improvements
Kansas City Southern will increase train speeds along its Laredo Subdivision from 49 to 59 mph. The subdivision runs from Laredo to Corpus Christi, Texas and the speed increase is possible due to recent track improvements.
UP outlines $13 million Nebraska tie and ballast project
Union Pacific will strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure investing more than $13 million in the rail line between Columbus and Grand Island. The project began May 21 and is scheduled to be completed the first week of August.
Heller and Booth assume additional responsibilities at Norfolk Southern
Jeffrey Heller and Cary Booth have assumed additional responsibilities in Norfolk Southern‘s intermodal department.
Port of Prince Rupert Road, Rail & Utility Corridor project complete
The Port of Prince Rupert has completed its CA$90-million (US$73 million) Road, Rail & Utility Corridor (RRUC), unlocking new terminal developments and market access for Canadian exporters.
House passes short-term transportation extension bill; APTA says effort a flop
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2353, a short-term authorization extension that will provide surface transportation funding through July 31, 2015.
The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), passed by a vote of 387 – 35 – 1. This extension comes after several weeks of failed negotiations to find approximately $11 billion to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) until the end of the calendar year. House and Senate leaders were unable to reach an agreement on offsets for a bill that would extend the programs through the end of the year, which was intended to give Congress time to form a larger tax reform package to pay for a multi-year surface transportation bill.
In a statement, American Public Transportation Association President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy said, “We appreciate the U.S. House of Representatives for passing an extension of the federal program for surface transportation funding. However, this extension does not increase funding for public transportation, roads, bridges and rails, it merely maintains the current funding levels of the program until the end of July. It also avoids the May 31 deadline when the program was set to expire.
“It is our understanding that it is likely this action by the House will lead to an additional extension of the federal program which could last until the end of the year. Congressional leaders note that this extension is intended to provide time to secure funding for a long-term bill.
“APTA strongly believes that Congress should expedite its efforts and find a solution that provides for long-term investment in our public transportation, road and rail network. It is crucial that Congress act with urgency to address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Congress must get focused and use these two months to develop realistic and viable options for a long-term solution to funding the nation’s transportation system.”