MDOT: $19MM in 2023 M-REP Grants
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded the first round of funding in its 2023 Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program (M-REP). Twelve projects were selected to receive $19 million for “strategic
Yards & Terminals
Report: ABS Boosting Yard Capacity in Tuscaloosa
Alabama Southern Railroad (ABS), a Watco subsidiary, is investing nearly $10 million to build a second rail yard in Tuscaloosa, Ala., according to a May 18 report in the Tuscaloosa Thread. The new
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.
FRA Safety Bulletin Aims to Increase Awareness of Hand-Operated Main Track Switches
Following a train collision that occurred on April 16 involving a misaligned switch, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has released a Safety Bulletin to remind railroads about ways to “ensure safe operation of hand-operated main track switches.”
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
Illinois Awards $200MM in Freight Mobility Grants
In Illinois, 22 port, rail and highway projects will share $200 million in grant funding to address bottlenecks, increase mobility, and improve the supply chain up and down the state, Gov. JB
MnDOT, NJDOT Award $35MM in Freight Rail Improvement Grants
The departments of transportation in Minnesota (MnDOT) and New Jersey (NJDOT) are investing $6.95 million and $27.8 million, respectively, in projects that will improve freight rail infrastructure.
MnDOT: $151.4MM Needed to Renew, Expand Minnesota’s Freight Rail System
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has released its 2023-2028 Forecast, focusing on the $151.4 million in funding required to go toward planned local projects needing state support for rail and bridge upgrades, new industrial parks and job creation.
Watch: CSX Completes Nahunta Connector
JACKSONVILLE–CSX is delivering more fluid operations in Georgia thanks to a new line the railroad recently installed to enhance operations.
MxV Rail: Registration Now Open for 28th Annual AAR Research Review
MxV Rail announced March 20 that registration is now open for the 28th Annual Association of American Railroads (AAR) Research Review, which will take place in Pueblo, Colo., June 26-28, 2023, bringing together MxV Rail experts, leaders from Class I and short line railroads, university students, and suppliers from around the world.
Transport Canada Allocates C$5.4MM for Rail Resiliency
Transport Canada is distributing up to C$5.4 million to 20 infrastructure projects country-wide that it says will make railroads “more resilient to extreme weather risks.”
C3RS Issues ‘Blue-Signal Protection’ Memo
An alert-message memo describing safety concerns over close-call events involving blue-signal protection has been released by the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a partnership between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in conjunction with participating railroad carriers and labor organizations.
MDOT Rail Enhancement Program Solicits Applications to Improve Freight Corridors
Applications are being accepted for the Michigan Rail Enhancement Program to upgrade freight rail facilities and corridors that enhance operational efficiency, accessibility, system capacity, and system condition.
R&LHS Awards 2022 Research Grants
The Railway & Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS) has selected the Center for Railroad Photography and Art of Madison, Wis., for the 2022 William D. Middleton Research Fellowship, and independent author Sandra Jackson-Opoku
First Phase of Rail Expansion at Port Greer Complete
The South Carolina Ports Authority announced that the first phase of an Inland Port Greer rail expansion is finished.
Pennsylvania North Shore Railroad Now Serving New Propane Terminal
The Pennsylvania North Shore Railroad is now serving a new 240,000-gallon propane terminal in Northumberland, Pa., which opened on Nov. 22.
Here We Go Again – Tropical Storm Nicole Takes Aim at Florida
Just a few weeks after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc through much of Florida, particularly in the Fort Myers area, forecasters are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Nicole, which appears to be headed to some of the same areas hit by Ian.
Politicians Get to the Point-No-Point: Conrail
Conrail Shared Assets executives recently led a tour of the construction site of the Point-No-Point Bridge replacement project in Kearny, N.J. for staff members of New Jersey’s U.S. Senate delegation. The purpose
Canada: Agreement-in-Principle for Lac-Mégantic Bypass
More than nine years after the horrific derailment of a crude oil unit train at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec that claimed 47 lives and led to new regulations for railroad hazmat tank cars, the
TSA issues new cybersecurity requirements for freight and passenger railroads
In an increasingly dangerous cyber world, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued additional cybersecurity directives for U.S. railroads.