Union Pacific will strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure investing more than $13 million in the rail line between Columbus and Grand Island. The project began May 21 and is scheduled to be completed the first week of August.
Jeffrey Heller and Cary Booth have assumed additional responsibilities in Norfolk Southern‘s intermodal department.
Virginia’s Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to endorse the construction of a new Potomac Yard Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA) Station and select “Alternative B” as the preferred location. This endorsement now permits the development of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for expected release this winter.
The Port of Prince Rupert has completed its CA$90-million (US$73 million) Road, Rail & Utility Corridor (RRUC), unlocking new terminal developments and market access for Canadian exporters.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2353, a short-term authorization extension that will provide surface transportation funding through July 31, 2015.
The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), passed by a vote of 387 – 35 – 1. This extension comes after several weeks of failed negotiations to find approximately $11 billion to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) until the end of the calendar year. House and Senate leaders were unable to reach an agreement on offsets for a bill that would extend the programs through the end of the year, which was intended to give Congress time to form a larger tax reform package to pay for a multi-year surface transportation bill.
In a statement, American Public Transportation Association President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy said, “We appreciate the U.S. House of Representatives for passing an extension of the federal program for surface transportation funding. However, this extension does not increase funding for public transportation, roads, bridges and rails, it merely maintains the current funding levels of the program until the end of July. It also avoids the May 31 deadline when the program was set to expire.
“It is our understanding that it is likely this action by the House will lead to an additional extension of the federal program which could last until the end of the year. Congressional leaders note that this extension is intended to provide time to secure funding for a long-term bill.
“APTA strongly believes that Congress should expedite its efforts and find a solution that provides for long-term investment in our public transportation, road and rail network. It is crucial that Congress act with urgency to address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Congress must get focused and use these two months to develop realistic and viable options for a long-term solution to funding the nation’s transportation system.”
Watco Companies purchased two west Texas shortlines from Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, May 18, 2015. Watco Transportation Services (WTS) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Texas and New Mexico Railway and the West Texas Lubbock and Western Railway.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Central Subway tunnel portal entrance, which was the final element to the overall tunneling contract, is now finished. SFMTA says this portion of the Central Subway Project was completed on-time and on-budget.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved Norfolk Southern’s acquisition of approximately 283 miles of rail line in Pennsylvania and New York from the Delaware & Hudson Railway Company, Inc. (D&H).
RailComm has been selected to replace a hardwired control system with its DOC® system at a Class 1 intermodal facility in Long Beach, Calif. The system will include replacing the system and expanding automation to all tracks in the facility.
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National (CN) said that Canada’s trade agenda requires a policy framework that encourages and rewards continued investment in supply-chain capacity and innovation.
Norfolk Southern Board of Directors has named Alan Shaw executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
James H. Evans, who served as Union Pacific chairman of the board from 1977 to 1985, died May 11, 2015, at age 94.
Kansas City Southern will invest approximately $15.6 million in 2015 on construction and improvement projects on the segment of the Pittsburg Subdivision line from Kansas City to Stotesbury, Mo., which is expected to grow capacity and maintain and enhance safety on KCS’ cross-border network.
Union Pacific plans to invest nearly $6 million in 2015 to improve Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure, which the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
CSX joined its partners from the Government of the province of Quebec and the municipal administration of the city of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to inaugurate the railroad’s new intermodal facility and celebrate the strengthening of business ties between Canada and the United States.
Union Pacific’s Kansas infrastructure will see $120 million in improvements as part of the railroads 2015 capital plan. Between 2010 and 2014, the railroad has spent more than $482 million to strengthen the state’s transportation infrastructure.
Operational efficiency and capacity along the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor has improved with the opening of 5.2 miles of new double track at two locations along the 351-mile corridor.
Union Pacific has outlined details of its capital investment program in Minnesota, Colorado and Iowa with a planned $79 million investment in the three states.
Union Pacific’s week of infrastructure reveals continues with plans to perform $51.5 million in work on the railroad’s Wyoming infrastructure.
BNSF was one of three companies that will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a Pathfinder research partnership initiative to explore the next steps in unmanned aircraft operations.
