The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $71.3 million to Indiana to help alleviate congestion in one of the region’s most delay-prone rail corridors. The Indiana Gateway Project will both relieve congestion and support the development of higher performing intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick appointed Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors, adding to the panel new individuals with extensive expertise and leadership in transportation and business.
Railway Age, International Railway Journal and Railway Track and Structures have partnered with RailAdvisor to present the world’s railway information in a more concise and global manner than ever before.
Keith Barksdale has accepted the position of assistant vice president of transportation safety at Watco Transportation Services. As assistant vice president of transportation safety, his responsibilities include leading the regional safety quality and assurance managers in carrying safety initiatives to the field level and ensure that the company has rule compliance on existing programs.
United Transportation Union-represented maintenance-of-way employees on Georgia & Florida Railway are voting through September 22 on a tentative new agreement, their first since joining the union.
Phillip Allen has accepted the position of chief engineer of structures for Watco Transportation Services. In this new role, Allen will be responsible for the bridge management program.
RailAmerica, Inc., now has a new industrial development website that will help current and prospective customers who are interested in building or expanding a rail-served facility or developing transloading solutions. Additionally, this tool provides a listing of all locations accessible to RailAmerica railroads.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved $40,000 from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to pay for upgrades at grade crossings in Mason and Kitsap Counties. The crossings are located at the intersection of Old State Route 101 (SR-101) and Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad (PSAP) tracks near the city of Shelton and at the intersection of Provost Road and PSAP tracks near the city of Silverdale.
United Transportation Union-represented employees of Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway and Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway have ratified new five-year agreements.
Train and engine, mechanical and maintenance-of-way employees on Columbia and Cowlitz Railway in Washington state, all represented by the United Transportation Union, have ratified their first agreement since joining the union in October 2011.
U.S. Department of Transportation formed the Freight Policy Council, which it says will focus on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to better ensure the ability of the United States to compete in today’s global economy. The council will develop a national intermodal plan for improving the efficiency of freight movement and will work with states to encourage development of a forward-looking state freight strategy.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Cleveland Commercial Railroad to install mast-mounted and cantilevered flashing lights and gates at the E. 156th Street grade crossing in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County.
International Rail Partners LLC was recently formed to pursue the acquisition and operation of freight railroads outside of the United States, as well as other rail-related support businesses worldwide. In addition to its corporate headquarters located in Boca Raton, Fla., the company also has an office in San Francisco, Calif.
The Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway, a RailAmerica Inc. property, is now serving a new crude oil-unloading terminal developed by Genesis Energy, L.P. The Walnut Hill, Fla., terminal, which started service on Monday, August 13, is designed to receive approximately 100-car unit trains of crude oil via the AGR from various shale regions in the U.S. and Canada.
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a report titled Positive Train Control Implementation Status, Issues, and Impacts to Congress this month reporting on progress of the railroad carriers in implementing PTC systems.
Carl Hybinette has joined the Watco Compliance Service Team as vice president of engineering. Hybinette will be responsible for the day-to-day compliance and engineering activities at Watco Compliance Services.
Reading and Northern Railroad hired Dennis Shaffer as vice president of business development, effective August 20, 2012.
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and United Transportation Union recently ratified four new collective bargaining agreements.
Rail Link, Inc., a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., has received the Wyoming Governor’s Award for Safety and Health in the Large Mine-Site Contractor category for the second consecutive year. The award is the highest honor given by the state of Wyoming for recognition of an employer’s commitment to excellence in workplace safety and health.
Ballast doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. For those outside of the industry, the flashy signals, rail and crossties are what railroad lines are made of.
