N.Y. Gov. Cuomo outlines Penn Station action plan
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined an action plan to help New York transit riders deal with the impending work Amtrak is planning at Penn Station during the summer.
Freight
KCS increases speeds after Louisiana track rehab
Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) will begin increasing track speed on June 4 from 25 to 49 miles per hour along a stretch of line in Louisiana.
Siemens and Brookville to build new Valley Metro fleet
The Valley Metro Rail Board has authorized the purchase of rail fleet from two manufacturers to support future growth and service expansion.
Union Pacific to invest $41 million in Wyoming rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to spend $41 million in Wyoming rail this year to improve its infrastructure. The state spending plan is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.
Weekly rail freight notches up
Weekly rail traffic on U.S. railroads continued to strengthen, to 526,970 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending May 13, a gain of 5.7 percent from the same week in 2016.
Senate approves Rosen as USDOT deputy secretary
The U.S. Senate confirmed Jeffrey Rosen as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 16. Rosen is the 18th deputy secretary in USDOT’s 50-year history.
Willmar Wye project earns environmental sign off from FRA, FHWA
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Highway Administration have signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document for the Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Park Access Project (Willmar Wye).
Canada introduces legislation to mandate inward-facing cameras; enhance shipper rights
The government of Canada proposed legislation aimed at providing air passengers more protection and choice and improving the nation’s freight rail system through investment and safety measures.
Union Pacific to perform $48.1 million in work to Utah property
Union Pacific plans to spend $48.1 million in Utah this year to improve its infrastructure. The state spending plan is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.
KCS plans upgrades in five states
Kansas City Southern Railway Co. is investing approximately $24.6 million in 2017 on construction and improvement projects on its Pittsburg, Heavener and Shreveport Subdivisions.
Sec. Chao: Infrastructure plan coming soon
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao said the Trump administration would share its vision for an infrastructure plan soon, specifying within the next several weeks during a speech.
MBTA awards contract for Wellington Maintenance Facility to Barletta
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved a contract with Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., for the construction of improvements to the Wellington Maintenance Facility.
A&M Railroad hosts Rep. Womack for tour railroad and Arkansas River Bridge
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) joined representatives from Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (A&M) for a tour and policy discussion May 12.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Survey shows voters support additional infrastructure investment
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a new study conducted by Morning Consult on the opening day of Infrastructure Week 2017 that shows voters believe infrastructure matters and they support more investment in it.
CP reaches tentative agreement with TCRC-MWED
Canadian Pacific (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED) announced they have reached a tentative five-year agreement.
New CEMEX USA aggregate distribution terminal integrates rail to improve delivery
CEMEX USAis expanding its Southern California network with plans for a rail-served distribution terminal in Los Angeles and a new aggregate loading system at its quarry in Victorville, Calif.
Wisconsin co-op receives state loan to build spur tracks
Wisconsin awarded a $2.6-million loan to Country Visions Cooperative, which is building a new dry fertilizer plant in Plymouth with rail access.
CN’s JJ Ruest inducted into Maritime Hall of Fame
Canadian National Railway (CN) Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer JJ Ruest has been inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame.
Union Pacific to invest $41 million in Oklahoma rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) will invest approximately $41 million in its Oklahoma rail infrastructure as a part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan.
Sens. Thune and Nelson honored with inaugural Railroad Achievement Award
Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) were jointly recognized with the first Railroad Achievement Award by the Association of American Railroads in partnership with GoRail.