Massachusetts Senate approves transportation bond bill

The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill authorizing $13 billion in capital spending over the next five years to fund improvements to the commonwealth’s transportation system.

UP to begin Nebraska crossing project

Union Pacific will begin a$1-million track improvement project in Nebraska March 10 and will start at the Webb Road crossing and progress eastward through Grand Island. The work is anticipated to be completed in three weeks.

Watco names Grand Elk Railroad GM

Watco Transportation Services appointed Larry McCloud to general manager of the Grand Elk Railroad where he will be responsible for daily operations, specifically focusing on improving safety, productivity and efficiency.

Valley View grade separation underpass scheduled to open in April

An underpass that is an integral element of the Valley View Avenue Grade Separation Project in California is scheduled to open in April with the full project slated for completion in August.

USDOT says proposed budget would address infrastructure deficit

U.S. Department of Transportation says its $90.9 billion proposed budget would lay a new foundation for economic growth and competitiveness by addressing growing infrastructure deficit, investing in the national infrastructure network and increasing safety and efficiency.

CN completes sale of Quebec line to AMT for commuter service

Canadian National closed the sale of a rail line in Quebec to Agence métropolitaine de transports (AMT) for CA$97 million (US$87 million). The line is principally used by AMT commuter trains between Deux-Montagnes and Montreal’s Central Station.

NYSDOT initiates “inspection blitz” of rail facilities and cars

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has launched a series of inspections to safeguard New York’s residents from potentialincidents involving the shipment of crude oil by rail throughout the state.

President Obama outlines $302-billion, four-year surface transportation reauthorization effort

President Obama proposed a $302-billion, four-year surface transportation reauthorization effort while visiting the historic Union Depot train station in Saint Paul, Minn.

Sixth round of TIGER grants will make $600 million available

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) sixth round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants is making $600 million available to fund transportation projects across the country.

CN reaching out to communities to review safety, share dangerous goods information

Canadian National is reaching out to municipalities along its North American rail network to review its safety practices, share relevant information on dangerous goods traffic and discuss emergency response planning.

PennDOT Oks funds for 33 freight rail projects

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has approved $34.7 million in funds for 33 freight rail projects across the state which will create more than 43,000 jobs.

CSX J&L Tunnel Project earns two engineering awards

CSX‘s J&L Tunnel Modification Project in Pittsburgh, Pa., has won the Project of the Year Award from the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) and the Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA), recognizing the project’s safe completion, sustainability, cost-effectiveness and community benefits.

IDOT Tier 2 environmental studies to look at Joliet to Chicago HSR options

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) officials held the first of a series of public meetings on Monday, Feb. 24, introducing the public to the next step of the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail project and asking for feedback as it begins Tier 2 environmental studies.

U.S. freight railroads, USDOT launch industry wide crude by rail safety initiative

Major freight railroads in the United States joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing a rail operations safety initiative that will institute new voluntary operating practices for moving crude oil by rail.

Sen. Schumer continues to push for 45G tax credit

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) continued the effort to restore and extend the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act through 2016.

Metrolink begins PTC revenue service demonstration

Metrolink has begun a Positive Train Control (PTC) revenue service demonstration (RSD) under the authority of BNSF in California. Metrolink operated PTC RSD on Orange County Line train 686 February 20, however, the first revenue service train to offer the technology was 91 Line train 700 February 17.

Moorman to U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Freight rail vital to economic prosperity

Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman, while speaking to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce meeting on infrastructure, said freight railroads are “essential to driving America’s continued economic recovery.”

2014 capital expenditures strike steady pace

North American railroads plan to spend an equivalent amount to last year on total capital spend.

FRA fields track inspection requests from New Hampshire, North Dakota delegations

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has been asked by elected officials in New Hampshire and North Dakota to step up track inspections along routes that transport hazardous materials in an effort to insure rail safety to communities along the lines.

TC&W rejects freight relocation proposal for Southwest LRT

Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) rejected a proposal to relocate Minneapolis area freight rail service after reviewing a technical analysis prepared by a South Dakota engineering firm. The proposed relocation would move freight service from the Kenilworth Corridor to a St. Louis Park route to make way for the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest light-rail project.

LOAD MORE