Digital transformation and rail – news and commentary

The railroad industry is becoming more digital each day.

Brightline investing millions of dollars in railroad safety and mental health awareness

Brightline is taking on the challenges of railroad safety and mental health.

MTA Long Island Rail Road awards contract to upgrade a vital interlocking near Queens Village

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a contract to Hitachi Rail STS, USA Inc., for the creation and installation of a new signal system at a complex of switches near Queens Village.

Watco

STB Grants approval for Watco acquisitions in Wisconsin and Michigan

The Surface Transportation Board issued a decision granting approval for exemptions sought by Watco Holdings, Inc., and two of its subsidiaries (collectively, Watco) in the acquisition of approximately 652 miles of rail line in Wisconsin and Michigan from Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL), which is controlled by Canadian National Railway Company.

Michigan DOT announces rail-highway grade crossing surface repair award recipients for 2022

As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) commitment to improving safety and the quality of Michigan’s transportation system, MDOT has announced the recipients for the sixth annual Local Grade Crossing Surface Program.

San Pedro train engineer pleads guilty to terrorism charge for intentionally derailing locomotive near U.S. Navy hospital ship

A train engineer at the Port of Los Angeles has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge for running a locomotive at full speed off the end of railroad tracks near a United States Navy hospital ship that was deployed to provide medical relief during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amtrak

Amtrak announces Bill Flynn to retire, Stephen Gardner will become president and CEO

Amtrak will soon have a new CEO.

Government of Canada approves changes to improve railway track inspections

The Government of Canada is continuing to move ahead with concrete actions which improve railway track safety to better protect those living and working near Canada’s rail corridors.

TriMet and King County Metro receive U.S. DOT grants for COVID-19 response

This week, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced grants for TriMet in Portland, Ore. and King County Metro in Seattle, Wash. to assist with the COVID-19 response.

Honolulu suffers major cyberattack on its transit system last week

Hawaii’s island of Oahu suffered a massive cyberattack on its transit system last Thursday, Dec. 9, at 1:00 am.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit to close roads for Federal Way Link construction

Sound Transit announced this weekend that work on its Federal Way Link Extension in Kent, Wash. will require the closure of portions of 30th Avenue South and State Route 516.

FRA deputy chief visits Los Angeles and Long Beach ports

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Deputy Administrator Amit Bose visited the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on December 8, 2021 to discuss recent progress in tackling supply chain issues through collaborative efforts among the Ports, FRA, and rail carriers.

Metrolinx selects Bechtel as delivery partner for Ontario Line

Metrolinx has selected Bechtel as the delivery partner for its Ontario Line. Sub-vendors will be Bantrel Co. and Comtech Group Inc.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)

HART will resolve electricity problems with special equipment

HART trains can have a negative impact on the Honolulu power grid.

Developing story: SEPTA trolley collides with CSX freight train

A SEPTA trolley and CSX freight train collided outside of Philadelphia this morning.

MARTA receives $285.7 million ARP grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $285.7 million award of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia Ports Authority announces expedited TEU capacity increase

At the Georgia Ports Authority Board meeting Monday, Executive Director Griff Lynch detailed actions that will expedite the completion of 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in annual capacity.

BART single-tracking in some areas to complete critical electrical work

BART has several projects underway to replace sections of its critical electrical network that powers their trains.

NTSB determines probable cause for 2019 SEPTA worker fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined the probable cause of a SEPTA accident on July 8, 2019. Two excerpts from the press release are reproduced below, with a link to the full Accident Brief at the end.

STV announces appointments to its senior leadership team

STV this week announced it has added two key members to its senior leadership team. Beth Miller has joined STV in the newly created position of vice president of communications, and Athena Ullah has been promoted to chief of staff.

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