Freight
BLET readies for 150th anniversary
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will enter its 150th year on May 8, 2013. BLET notes that it is the oldest transportation labor organization in North America.
Rail shows largest improvement in ASCE infrastructure report card
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” on Tuesday, March 19. The report is an assessment of 16 infrastructure categories in the United States that takes place every four years.
KCS: State of Safety reports important public safety improvements
Kansas City Southern (KCS) has released its monthly State of Safety report, noting a 50 percent reduction in grade crossing collisions through February 2013, as compared to the same timeframe last year.
ND Pioneer Project begins construction to expand transloading
Dakota Plains Holdings, Inc., and joint-venture partner, Petroleum Transport Solutions, LLC, started construction for the Pioneer Project in North Dakota, an expansion of the New Town transloading facility located in the heart of the Williston Basin.
Railroad Day on Capitol Hill attendees fight for freight rail
Representatives from the nation’s freight railroads, labor groups, rail suppliers and state and local officials joined together on March 14, 2013, for the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.
KCS Officer on a Train event in Oklahoma
Kansas City Southern (KCS) and the Poteau Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event on March 14 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in Poteau, Okla.
CN appoints new vice presidents
Canadian National (CN) has named three vice presidents as part of the company’s executive changes.
GWI names managing director for GWA
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) appointed Greg Pauline as managing director of Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd. (GWA).
UP’s Zoe Richmond named Woman of the Year
The Metropolitan Phoenix chapter of Women in Transportation named Union Pacific’s (UP) Zoe Richmond Woman of the Year. Richmond currently serves as director of public affairs in Arizona and New Mexico.
Port of Prince Rupert begins construction on Road, Rail and Utility Corridor
Construction has begun on the CA$90-million (US$88 million) Port of Prince Rupert Road, Rail, and Utility Corridor project in British Columbia, Canada.
AAR: 2012 is safest year in freight railroad history
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) recently announced that 2012 was the safest year in the rail industry’s history, according to new statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Los Angeles Harbor Commission advances BNSF “benchmark” rail yard
BNSF’s planned $500-million Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) moves a step closer to reality with the Los Angeles Harbor Commission’s certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR).
ARRC restructures, eliminates 54 positions
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) has eliminated 54 positions as part of a major corporate restructuring effort, due to a $45-million negative swing in finances from 2011 until now.
California Transportation Commission doles out $100 million to state rail projects
The California Transportation Commission allocated $333 million in new funds to 91 projects that it says will improve the state’s transportation system and strengthen California’s economic recovery.
Rep. Sires introduces MOVE Act to strengthen freight network
U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) introduced the Multimodal Opportunities via Enhanced (MOVE) Freight Act of 2013 on March 5.
BioNitrogen Corporation begins preliminary work on railroad spur
BioNitrogen Corporation, a cleantech company that builds environmentally-friendly plants that convert biomass into urea fertilizer, has begun engineering design for construction on a railroad spur in Hardee County, Fla., where the first BioNitrogen urea fertilizer plant will be built.
TTCI’s annual review draws more than 500 to Colorado
Transportation Technology Center, Inc., held its 18th Annual AAR Research Review March 5-6, 2013, in Pueblo, Colo. This year’s theme was “Technology Driven Solutions to Improve Safety and Efficiency.”
FRA approves WSDOT environmental assessment for Point Defiance Bypass project
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has signed off on the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) environmental assessment for the Point Defiance Bypass project.
NS celebrates 100th Anniversary of Ohio River Bridge
March 4, 2013, marked the 100-year anniversary of the completion of the modern version of Norfolk Southern’s bridge over the Ohio River between South Point, Ohio, and Kenova, W.Va.