Shortline/Regional

NCDOT Awards $2.1MM in FRRCSI Grants

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded five Class II railroads in the state $2.1 million in matching grant funds through the Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) Program

Ohio Rail Commission: $750,000 for CUOH

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (Rail Commission) on May 11 approved a grant of up to $750,000 to Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road (CUOH), a Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. Company, to improve capacity at the Class II’s Newark Yard and mitigate the possibility of blocked railroad crossings in Zanesville, Ohio.

Team members of R. J. Corman Railroad Services Emergency. From left to right, Rob Ralcewicz, Austin Singer, Greg Feasel, Rodney Clayton, Austin Clayton, Mike Hahn, David Fields, Mike Buchanan, Colin Hill, and Tim Koon.

R.J. Corman Opens New Emergency Division in Maine

R.J. Corman Railroad Services, LLC, a subsidiary of R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, has announced the establishment of a new Emergency Response Division in Waterville, Maine, which as of May 1, will provide support to customers in the Northeast region of the U.S., including Maine and surrounding states, the company reported on May 4.

BMWED, LS&I Ratify Agreement

A new collectively bargained agreement has been ratified by members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) working at Michigan-based Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad (LS&I), the union

CARB Passes New In-Use Locomotive Regulation

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) on April 27 passed a new rule aimed at reducing emissions from locomotives when they operate within the state. According to CARB, under the In-Use Locomotive Regulation—the

Swing span bridge over Siuslaw River.

Coos Bay Rail Line to Undergo Bridge Rehabilitation

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has received an award of $20 million from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program to support rehabilitation of 15 bridge structures along the 134-mile Port-owned and operated Coos Bay Rail Line.

Alberta Explores Reinstating Shortline Rail in Oyen

The Alberta Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 23 with Oyen Regional Rail Company, Special Areas and Oyen Development Corporation and Canada Infrastructure Bank to support their assessment of whether the rail line between Oyen and Lyalta should be restored.

ICC Approves Annual Crossing Safety Improvement Program; Greenlights Automatic Warning Device Projects

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) announced March 24 that it has approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FY 2024-2028) to implement highway-rail safety projects at local roads across the state. More than $476 million dollars from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) and Rebuild Illinois (RBI) will help communities and railroads pay for improvements at 424 crossing locations.

South Dakota Approves $6M for Sisseton-Milbank Rail Line

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 16 into law last week, authorizing $6.25 million in state funds for the restoration of a railroad line from Milbank to Sisseton. The appropriation is conditional upon receiving federal grant funds for rail line rehabilitation.