NS’ Squires taking on additional duties
Norfolk Southern‘s President James Squires will assume additional responsibilities in the marketing and operations divisions in line with the company’s normal succession planning process.
Freight
CSX mainline opens in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
CSX said it has reached a major milestone in the construction of its $100-million intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QB, Canada with the official opening of its mainline leading directly to the Perron Industrial and Maritime Park.
British Columbia’s Ashcroft Terminal expansion complete
Ashcroft Terminal, an inland transloading facility in British Columbia that is a member of the Canadian government’s Asian Pacific Corridor, completed an expansion project designed to improve the flow of goods by rail and give local industry a competitive edge in international trade.
NCDOT awards $16 million for state rail improvement projects
The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded more than $16 million to 40 projects across the state through the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program.
CN’s Mongeau underscores railroad’s unwavering commitment to safety
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, in a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, said that dangerous goods are an integral part of everyday life and that CN has an unwavering commitment to moving all traffic safely.
RailWorks-Archer Western JV celebrate role in SunRail success
SunRail passenger rail service began May 1 in Central Florida along a 32-mile route comprised of 12 stations between DeBary and south Orlando. The new service marks completion of the first phase of the $1-billion Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit (CFCRT) project.
FCC, railroads reach agreement on PTC towers
An agreement has been reached between the seven Class 1 freight railroads and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the installation of positive train control (PTC) antennas, but the Association of American Railroads (AAR) says the delay in developing the process has severely impeded PTC implementation and a fully operable system by the 2015 deadline is not possible.
UP to invest in Missouri’s infrastructure
Union Pacific will strengthen Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $9 million in the rail line between Sedalia and Pleasant Hill, Mo. The project began May 15 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
Union Pacific utilizing TRT 909 for Nebraska track renewal project
Union Pacific Railroad is in the midst of a $39.5-million track renewal project in Nebraska. The work, which began May 6, is being performed between Clarks and Schuyler and is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.
Baker selected for CSX Intermodal Terminals professional services agreement
Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker International, has been awarded a Professional Services Agreement by CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc. (CSXIT) to provide construction management and inspection services for its Trans-Shipment Terminal Expansion Project in North Baltimore, Ohio. Additionally, Baker will provide engineering review services during the construction phases of projects. CSXIT has issued Baker the first work order under this agreement. CSXIT is expanding the original terminal, completed in 2011, due to increased intermodal container traffic.
Erie Rail Terminal plan dies as funding is pulled
A plan to develop a new intermodal terminal that was to be served by CSX in Harborcreek Township, Erie County, Pa., has stalled following negative community reaction to the project.
UP adds to its 2014 capital spending program
Union Pacific’s Board of Directors approved an additional $150 million in capital expenditures, bringing the railroad’s total 2014 capital spending plan to $4.1 billion.
TIGER grant applications request 15 times more than available funding
The application period for the sixth round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants recently ended. Once again, USDOT says the request for funds far exceeds what is available. The 797 eligible applications, compared to 585 in 2013, request $9.5 billion, 15 times the $600 million set aside for the program.
Metra hosts Rep. Duckworth to highlight need for Fox River bridge replacement
Metra officials gave U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) an up-close look at why Metra needs to replace an aging, single-track bridge that carries the Milwaukee West Line over the Fox River near Elgin, Ill.
Sens. Murray and Collins push for increased safety resources for shortlines
U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Transportation, respectively, urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to increase safety resources for shortline railroads, which make up one third of the nation’s rail network, but lack the funding and support that larger, Class 1 railroads receive.
Proposed MAP-21 Reauthorization Act text unveiled
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) released its proposed bill text for the MAP-21 Reauthorization Act (S. 2322). The six-year legislation plans to maintain highway program funds at current levels plus inflation.
VIA Rail reaches agreement with CN to continue New Brunswick passenger service, names Desjardins-Siciliano president/CEO
A tentative agreement has been reached between VIA Rail Canada and Canadian National, which will allow VIA Rail’s passenger rail service to continue on the Newcastle subdivision. Under the agreement, which must be ratified by their respective boards, VIA Rail will provide funding to CN for rehabilitation work on the line between Nelson Junction and Nepisiquit Junction. Work will be done on 70.8 kilometers (44 miles) of track and represents a CA$10.2-million (US$9.3-million investment for the railroad.
As a result of this agreement, VIA Rail will be able to continue to offer its Ocean passenger rail service between Bathurst and Miramichi three days per week in each direction as part of its Montreal-Halifax service. VIA Rail will hold discussions with the province and municipalities along the subdivision to explore ways they can assist in increasing train ridership.
“Our government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. The continuity of VIA Rail’s Ocean service on this rail line in Northern New Brunswick is excellent news as it will not only benefit the users, but also each community along the route by maintaining jobs and supporting the local economy,” said Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt.
In other news, the Canadian government has appointed Yves Desjardins-Siciliano as president and chief executive officer of VIA Rail.
Prior to his appointment, Desjardins-Siciliano was VIA Rail’s chief corporate and legal officer and corporate secretary. Prior to joining VIA Rail in 2010, he has held executive positions, in a variety of industries, in both Montréal and Toronto.
“As Directors of VIA Rail, we are delighted that the government has chosen to lead Canada’s national passenger railway, someone whose career demonstrates a breath of experiences and expertise, an intimate knowledge of our largest markets, an ability to develop new value-creation strategies and a keen understanding of public policy. He can count on our full support,” said Paul Smith, chairman of the board.
Desjardins-Siciliano takes over from VIA Rail’s Interim President and CEO, Steve Del Bosco. Steve will be resuming his previous role as VIA’s chief commercial planning officer. Del Bosco had been in the interim position since January 4, 2014.
Governor McAuliffe creating Railroad Safety and Security Taskforce
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has created a Railroad Safety and Security Taskforce, which will develop an action plan to prepare and respond to possible train derailments. The launch of the task force follows the April 30 derailment of a CSX freight train carrying crude oil shipped from the Midwest to Yorktown. The accident occurred in downtown Lynchburg adjacent to the James River.
Caltrain Board appoints Deal to Transbay Joint Powers Authority
Caltrain‘s Board of Directors appointed Jerry Deal to serve as its representative on the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA), the body responsible for overseeing a new intermodal terminal called the Transbay Transit Center, a rail extension for Caltrain and high-speed rail and adjacent transit-oriented development in downtown San Francisco.
Desert Line receives support from South County EDC board members
South County Economic Development Council (SCEDC) board members voted to support the reactivation of the San Diego Arizona Eastern Railway at its May board of directors meeting.