AAR’s Hamberger to retire in early 2019

Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), has announced his upcoming retirement from the organization in early 2019.

 

Canada will help fund grade separation project in Edmonton

The government of Canada will cover nearly half the costs of a street and safety project in Edmonton, Alberta, which will grade separate the top priority crossing in the city.

Canada will fund CA$39.8 million (US$31.1 million) for the 50th Street Widening Project, which will ease traffic congestion and improve safety along the corridor between 76th and 90th Avenue. The city says 50 Street provides access to adjacent developing industrial areas and functions as a major north-south commuter and goods movement corridor.

The improvements to the railway crossing at 50th Street and the Canadian Pacific Railway line will include a new underpass beneath the existing railway crossing north of the Sherwood Park Freeway; two new traffic lanes on 50th Street, increasing the total number of lanes from four to six; the realignment and reconstruction of the intersection at 82 Avenue and 50th Street to maintain important connections between local residential neighborhoods and commercial developments and new sidewalks and shared use paths along 50th Street.

“The CP rail tracks on 50th Street have been a long source of frustration for commuters in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region,” said Alberta’s Minister of Transportation Brian Mason. “We know traffic delays are frustrating and expensive. That’s why we are making this investment to get traffic moving safely and efficiently.”

This federal funding is provided through the National Trade Corridors Fund. The province of Alberta has agreed to fund up to CA$28.3 million (US$22.1 million) and the city of Edmonton will cover the balance of the CA$87.5 million (US$68.4 million).

“The funding commitments from both the government of Canada and the province signal that they are hearing the needs of Edmontonians,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We can now move forward with this welcomed project that will help commuters and our local economy as we move goods and services more efficiently throughout our city.”

AAR gives Congress rail tech lesson

WASHINGTON – Technology class was in session for Congress Monday, courtesy of Class 1 railroads.

 

AAR publishes white paper highlighting rail’s tech advancements

Ahead of an event held on Capitol Hill to demonstrate the rail industry’s innovations, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) released a white paper highlighting technology’s role in making the U.S. rail network safer, more efficient and more reliable.

Port of Quebec receives federal funds for wharf, rail and road upgrades

The Port of Québec will receive CA$15.5 million (US$12.1 million) from Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund to upgrade port infrastructure including rail.

Cargill begins rail expansion at Alberta facility

Cargill is investing CA$20 million (US$15.7 million) to build a rail expansion at its Lethbridge, Alberta, facility.

AAR, NS want clear, supportive regulatory approach to automation

The Association of American Railroads and Norfolk Southern filed comments with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on May 7 asking for a level regulatory playing field regarding automation.

CHSRA, LACMTA reach funding agreement for grade separation project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) have reached a joint funding agreement for a grade separation project in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Union Pacific three-peats as top railroad in employee safety

Union Pacific remains the safest U.S. Class 1 railroad in employee safety for the third consecutive year.

KCS, CloudMoyo partner to modernize railroad operating system

Kansas City Southern (KCS) and CloudMoyo (CM), an information technology and services company, announced a partnership April 30 to modernize KCS’ railroad operating system.

 

Bailey of CSX wins AAR’s Chafee award for environmental excellence

Charles Bailey, director of design and construction Engineering for CSX Transportation, has been awarded the 2017 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

 

Union Pacific reports PTC progress

Union Pacific (UP) has shared recent strides it has made toward the required implementation of positive train control (PTC) as federal deadlines loom ahead.

 

Changing of the guard at BRC

Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) President Pat O’Brien will be retiring this summer after 32 years with the railroad, the past 16 years as president. Norfolk Southern veteran Mike Grace will replace him.

 

KCS re-launches intermodal service between New Orleans, Dallas

Kansas City Southern (KCS) has announced a new weekly intermodal service between the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and Wylie, Texas, beginning in May.

 

FRA seminars to help communicate training and drug testing rules

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) plans to hold three seminars across the country to discuss regulations pertaining to drug testing and safety-related employee training.

Montana to see $2.1 million investment from Union Pacific

Union Pacific (UP) plans to invest $2.1 million to strengthen Montana’s transportation infrastructure in 2018.

 

Move over TIGER, USDOT ready to BUILD

The U.S. Department of Transportation is retiring the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program name and will award the $1.5 billion available in discretionary grant funding as Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants.

Union Pacific to invest $6 million in Minnesota network as part of 2018 capex program

Union Pacific (UP) has announced it will invest $6 million to enhance Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure this year.

 

Union Pacific to invest $9.7 million in Wisconsin network

Union Pacific (UP) will invest $9.7 million in Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure in 2018.

 

SCPA opens Inland Port Dillon

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) opened its second inland port, Inland Port Dillon, on April 16. SCPA says the facility was constructed to handle strong growth for the port’s intermodal rail cargo volumes and deepen its reach into markets through the Carolinas to the Northeast and Midwest.

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