Union Pacific plans $79 million investment in Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado

Union Pacific has outlined details of its capital investment program in Minnesota, Colorado and Iowa with a planned $79 million investment in the three states.

CN targets $2.2B in 2015 capex

Canadian National plans to invest CA$2.7 billion (US$2.2 billion) in rail infrastructure maintenance and improvements, as well as in new capacity, equipment and technology in 2015 to raise network safety and efficiency, improve service and support future growth

Tutor Perini gets Amtrak concrete casing contract

Tutor Perini Corporation has been awarded a contract by Amtrak to construct the 11th Avenue extension to the concrete casing recently completed by Tutor Perini beneath the Eastern Rail Yard of the Hudson Yards site in New York City. The contract value is approximately $56.3 million and the project has been funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation Sandy Resiliency grant under the 2013 Disaster Relief Act.

AAR marks another successful annual research review

The 20th Annual AAR Research Review was held March 31-April 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Hotel Elegante. The review brought approximately 550 attendees to the event, which had a theme of “Research Innovation for Current and Future Needs of North American Railways.”

Bentley issues call for submissions to 2015 Be Inspired awards

Bentley Systems, Inc., issued its call for submissions to the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program; the deadline for entries is May 31, 2015.

IDOT launches statewide listening tour to discuss Illinois infrastructure needs

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in conjunction with the Illinois Capital Development Board, has started a series of listening sessions to discuss the state’s infrastructure needs and the steps required “to make sure the right investments are being made to keep Illinois competitive in a 21st century global economy.” The meetings will be held in multiple communities throughout the state over the next month, with a goal of presenting Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office with a comprehensive package of recommendations for consideration this spring.

Port of Corpus Christi opens first phase of Nueces River Rail Yard

Port Corpus Christi opened Phase 1 of the Nueces River Rail Yard (NRRY) April 10.

Watco promotes one, hires another

Watco Terminal and Port Services has named Albert Perez II terminal manager at the Linden, N.J., location. In this role, Perez will be responsible for maintaining high-quality customer service, ensuring targeted profitability and supporting the overall attainment of expected performance goals. He will also coach his team and driving safety and operational efficiencies.

HRT supports Stand up 4 Transportation

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will host a special event April 9 with a coalition of business and political leaders to highlight the urgent need for Congress to approve long-term funding critical for Hampton Roads’ transportation infrastructure.

USDOT makes $500 million available for next round of TIGER

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is making $500 million available for the seventh round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.

UP receives delivery of “game changing” long rail

Union Pacific began receiving 480-foot-long rail sections from Japan, which culminates a project more than a decade in the making and according to the railroad, sets a new standard for rail reliability.

Secretary Foxx sends long-term transportation bill to Congress

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a six-year transportation bill to Congress.

Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate

Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Rep. Lowenthal proposes legislation to create Freight Transportation Infrastructure Trust Fund

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) has introduced legislation he says will provide a dedicated revenue source to invest in rebuilding crumbling freight infrastructure.

Proposed TRAIN Act would reform environmental permitting process for rail projects

U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which the senators say will reform the environmental permitting process for rail projects in order to facilitate a more efficient way to approve rail infrastructure.

AXION ties to be used in transit station and yard rehabilitation project

AXION International Holdings, Inc., received $1 million in orders for ECOTRAX® rail ties to be installed in a northeast-based transit line’s rail yard and station.

CN to build intermodal hub west of Toronto

Canadian National plans to build a CA$250-million ($US200-million) intermodal and logistics hub adjacent to its mainline in Milton, ON, located approximately 30 miles west of Toronto. Milton has ready access to major highways reaching key industrial and commercial areas in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Indiana yard cutover of new interlocking is complete

RailComm has completed cutover of a completely new switch interlocking at a North American Class 1 yard located in Indiana. Each switch machine or crossover in the interlocking can be controlled individually or in combinations to set entrance/exit routes through the yard.

NJ Transit awarded $147-million FTA storm relief grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded New Jersey Transit $147,086,000 through the Federal Transit Administration’s Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program for repair, recovery and resiliency projects associated with Superstorm Sandy.

Port of Quincy requests Washington state funds to expand intermodal terminal

Port of Quincy is requesting $16.2 million in transportation funding from the Washington State Legislature to expand the infrastructure at its intermodal terminal to help restore critical domestic eastbound intermodal rail service for Central Washington fresh produce, perishable and frozen foods shippers.

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