Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on June 2, 2016, signed the FY 2017 Transportation Bill, which approves approximately $612.6 million in infrastructure improvements, including $33.4 million for rail. The bill includes an overhaul of the trespassing regulations to improve safety on Vermont’s rail lines.
Applications are now being accepted for Washington state-funded grants and loans for projects that improve freight rail services. Funds will be available in July 2017.
New York state has awarded $16.3 million in grants through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to projects that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said will strengthen infrastructure, as well as support economic development by leveraging an additional $12.8 million in additional public and private investments.
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program has received 585 applications from across the country totaling $9.3 billion in requested funding – over 18 times more than the $500 million that will be awarded.
Union Pacific has named Rhonda Ferguson executive vice president and chief legal officer, effective July 11.
Citing health reasons, CN President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau will step down on June 30, 2016. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Luc Jobin will succeed him.
Union Pacific plans to spend $33.7 million on improvements to its Nevada infrastructure in 2016. This year’s investment is on top of the $180 million UP spent in the state from 2011-2015.
On June 6, 2016, Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA-8) joined representatives from TRAC Lubricants and Coatings (TLC) and the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad for a product demonstration and rail industry discussion.
Canadian National is encouraging communities to submit input for corridor risk assessments along rail routes carrying significant amounts of dangerous goods.
The construction of a modern railway bridge across the Lehigh River to create a connection between two divisions of Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad is closer to fruition as a second $5 million grant has been awarded by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission.
Gulf & Ohio Railways (G&O) has promoted Doc Claussen, Todd Burchette, Ronnie McKenzie and Matt Gedney to executive positions with the railroad.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking comments regarding the proposed North American Polypropylene Rail Yard Project, located in Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada.
Union Pacific plans to invest $70.4 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Idaho and Oregon, which the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued two final rules to better protect railroad employees working on or near railroad tracks.
Union Pacific plans to invest $37.5 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Iowa, which the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) broke ground on a $172-million maintenance and administrative facility for light-rail vehicles servicing the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project and the Green Line.
Union Pacific plans to invest $37.7 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Arizona, which will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
Protran Technology has secured its first key order from a major U.S. Class 1 railroad for its COMPASS™ railway asset location and awareness system.
The Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA), a subsidiary of Watco Transportation Services, LLC (WTS) has reached a definitive agreement with Norfolk Southern to lease and increase operations on 309 miles of rail line in Ohio and West Virginia.
Union Pacific plans to invest $54 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Missouri, which will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.