President Obama signs H.R. 3819; PTC extension now official
President Barack Obama signed H.R. 3819 the “Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015” on Oct. 29.
Freight
Add another $60M in rail related projects that will benefit from TIGER awards
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released official information surrounding the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 program, which will provide $500 million for 39 transportation projects in 34 states.
Norfolk Southern, New York state begin Portageville bridge
Norfolk Southern, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation broke ground on a $70-million steel arch railroad bridge in Letchworth State Park.
Port Canaveral pauses rail extension project to explore alternatives
Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) commissioners have asked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for a temporary pause in the review process of the Port Canaveral Rail Extension Project while the port team works with the Gilbane-Renaurt-Larkin-MARS Group to study a rail route through the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Pacific Imperial Railroad ownernship transferred; new CEO appointed
Conatus Capital Group, Inc., has acquired the majority controlling interest in Pacific Imperial Railroad (PIR); Arturo Alemany, principal of Conatus, has been confirmed as chief executive officer and president of PIR.
Senate committee approves Feinberg as FRA administrator
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved Sarah Feinberg to be administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration by a 19-1 vote.
Congress passes three-year PTC deadline extension
A blanket three-year extension to the Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation deadline has passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislation also gives railroads the option to seek a waiver granting an additional two years to install PTC.
CP names new chief legal officer and corporate secretary
Canadian Pacific has appointed Jeffrey Ellis to chief legal officer and corporate secretary, effective December 1, 2015, replacing Paul Guthrie, who will retire in the first quarter of 2016.
House passes H.R. 3819, extends PTC deadline
The House of Representatives on Oct. 27, 2015 approved H.R. 3819, The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015, legislation that funds and extends the authorization for federal highway and transit programs through Nov. 20, but more important, extends the deadline for implementation of Positive Train Control by at least three years. The bill now goes to the Senate, which has two days to consider it—with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) vehemently opposed.
Union Pacific marks employee safety milestone
Union Pacific’s employees achieved a 0.92 reportable injury rate through the third quarter, improving 12 percent over the same period in 2014.
Rail projects to receive more than $170 million in TIGER grants (so far)
Elected officials sounded their victory horns as the notification process of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) VII awards began.
GCT Canada breaks ground on rail yard reconfiguration project
GCT Canada, the operator of Canada’s flagship container terminal located in Port Metro Vancouver, has broken ground on its GCT Deltaport Intermodal Yard Reconfiguration Project.
BNSF names Austin Western Railroad its shortline of the year
BNSF has named Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) as its 2015 Shortline Railroad of the Year during its annual Shortline Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
VRE says service suspension imminent without PTC extension
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) gave notice that it will be forced to suspend some, if not all, of its commuter rail service in Virginia and Washington, D.C., after December 31, 2015 if Congress does not act to extend the deadline for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).
SANDAG Board adopts 35-year regional transportation plan
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors voted unanimously on October 9, 2015, to adopt the final version of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, a sweeping blueprint for the future that will invest $204 billion into transportation infrastructure projects over the next 35 years.
Trio of Illinois Congressmen urge passing of PTC extension
On Oct. 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations subcommittee, Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03)
Norfolk Southern says no PIH commodities, no passenger service due to PTC deadline
Norfolk Southern said its rail operating subsidiaries will no longer accept shipments of Poisonous-Inhalation-Hazard (PIH) commodities, effective Dec. 1, 2015.
Georgia Ports Authority plans $152 million capital plan for Brunswick
At the annual Brunswick State of the Port event October 20, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Curtis Foltz discussed an ambitious $152 million capital improvement plan for Brunswick terminals during the next 10 years.
GREX names Grissom COO/EVP customer delivery
Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) promoted current Vice President Engineering Greg Grissom to chief operating officer/executive vice president customer delivery.
CSX to close mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.
As CSX continues to evaluate network resources and match them to demand in a changing business environment, the company plans to close its mechanical shops in Corbin, Ky.