BNSF outlines Illinois capital program
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $145 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Illinois this year.
Class 1
Norfolk Southern names seven to new management responsibilities
Norfolk Southern appointed seven executives to new management responsibilities.
NS names Stewart EVP/CFO, Rathbone to retire
Norfolk Southern named Marta Stewart executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective November 1. She will report to NS President James Squires.
BNSF plans $95 million capital program for Minnesota property
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $95 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Minnesota this year.
NS marks 50th anniversary of Pier 6
On September 18, Norfolk Southern commemorated the 50th anniversary of the original dedication of Pier 6, its coal transloading facility in Norfolk, Va., with a ceremony at Lamberts Point, where the railroad has been transferring coal directly from rail cars to ships for export for 130 years.
GAO issues PTC report, urges flexibility with implementation
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) made public its report on positive train control (PTC) implementation and issued a trio of recommendations including extending the deadline, approving alternative safety technologies and granting provisional certification of PTC systems.
BNSF plans maintenance, capacity improvements in Oklahoma
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $125 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Oklahoma this year.
Sec. Foxx joins Florida congressmen to discuss state’s TIGER grant
On September 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx joined four members of Congress, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Ted Deutch D-(FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Patrick Murphy (D-FL) and other local leaders to talk about how the South Florida Freight and Passenger Rail Enhancement project will help South Florida.
BNSF plans $110 million capital program in Nebraska
BNSF‘s Nebraska property will see an estimated $110 million in maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in 2013.
CREATE Blue Island Modernization Project completed
A $9.7 million project to add freight railroad mobility and relieve congestion for the commuting public in the Chicago region has been completed in Blue Island, Ill.
TTCI names two to board
Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads, named two railroaders, Christopher F. Liucci and Jim Vena, to its Board of Directors.
UP working on $10 million project on line between Minnesota and Wisconsin
Union Pacific Railroad will strengthen Minnesota’s and Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructures by investing $10 million in the rail line at various locations between St. Paul, Minn., and Humbird, Wis.
CSX completes first phase of National Gateway
The National Gateway coalition has completed its first phase on-time and on-budget, which clears the way for double-stack intermodal rail service between CSX‘s existing terminal in Chambersburg, Pa., and its hub facility in Northwest Ohio.
UP performing $30 million worth of work in Illinois
Union Pacific plans to strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure by investing $30 million in the rail line at various locations between Dolton and Ellis.
VTrans awarded $8.9 million for Western Corridor Rail Rehabilitation
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has been awarded an $8.9 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to rehabilitate a freight corridor and prepare it for future passenger service.
The $18.5-million project involves rehabilitating 20 miles of the state-owned Vermont Railway from Rutland to Leicester, which includes replacing nine miles of rail, upgrading 11 at-grade farm crossings and other improvements. When completed, this project will eliminate track-related slow orders, allowing for unrestricted Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Class 3 speed operations of up to 40 mph. The Vermont Rail System operates over the line and provides a critical connection for shippers to the Class 1 network in New York.
The project also supports the state’s efforts to improve the line to allow for the future extension of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen service from Rutland to Burlington. Approximately $6 million in match funding is coming from previous federal appropriations benefiting the corridor, as well as $3.2 million from the state and $200,000 in-kind contributions from the rail operator.
“This investment is helping to move the economy by improving track, bridges and other infrastructure, building stations and intermodal facilities, advancing higher-performing rail service and improving safety,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo.
TIGER V grants $474 million to 52 projects in 37 states
Fifty-two transportation projects in 37 states will receive a total of approximately $474 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Among these, $146 million will help fund rail projects.
Maryland to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation for Baltimore Metropolitan Region
Maryland plans to invest nearly $1.5 billion in transportation investments for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region that will support more than 13,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion and revitalize communities.
BNSF plans $240 million capital program in Texas
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $240 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Texas this year.
Michigan begins track improvements as part of Accelerated Rail Program
The first of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season will begin on September 9.
TIGER V: Springfield, Ill., receives funds for Carpenter Street underpass
Springfield, Ill. has been awarded $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street, an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor.