FRA Administrator Bose urges STB to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service

FRA Administrator Amit Bose testified on behalf of the Department at the Surface Transportation Board Hearing on Amtrak’s application seeking to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast (Docket No. FD 36496).

NTSB issues preliminary report on CSX freight train collision with SEPTA trolley in December

In December 2021, RT&S reported on a collision between a CSX freight train and a SEPTA trolley outside of Philadelphia. The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report on its accident investigation.

Chairman Connolly, Congresswoman Norton to hold hearing on WMATA’s operations and oversight

A Congressional hearing on WMATA issues will be held tomorrow morning.

STV partners with California High Speed Rail Authority to make first high-speed rail project in L.A. a reality

STV celebrated another significant milestone in the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) program with the approval of its Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Burbank-to-Los Angeles Project Section by the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA).

U.S. DOT announces $513.6 million American Rescue Plan grant award to Metra in Illinois

Metra is the latest agency to receive an American Rescue Plan grant.

AAR asks for more time before reciprocal switching hearing – STB says no

STB reciprocal switching hearing will move forward as scheduled.

Watch: Twin Cities’ Met Council advances METRO Green Line Extension

The Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council is moving forward with the Green Line Extension.

FRA

Supreme Court blocks Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate

While this is not a typical RT&S story, we want to ensure that our readers are aware of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to block the Biden administration’s mandate that large employers (i.e., those employing more than 100 people) must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

U.S. DOT announces more federal grants to transit agencies

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States and hold much of the world in its grip, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced additional American Rescue Plan grants to help transit agencies continue to battle the impacts of COVID.

Reciprocal switching returns to Surface Transportation Board (STB) agenda

While this is not a topic RT&S would normally cover, the debate over reciprocal or “competitive” switching has been brewing for years, and all members of the rail and rail supply & maintenance industries should be aware of it.

Nortrak fixation plant celebrates five years injury free

In early December 2021, the Fixation Division at voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak (“Nortrak”) celebrated five years without a recordable injury at their Cheyenne, WY plant.

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.

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.

Federal Railroad Administration announces availability of $198 million for intercity passenger rail projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grant Program (Partnership Program).

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.

Final environmental impact report for project to add Metrolink service to Antelope Valley Line now available

The final report on the environmental impact of the project to add Metrolink service to the Antelope Valley Line is now available. Below is the press release from LA Metro on the report.

PHMSA & FRA want to temporarily suspend movement of LNG by rail

On November 8, the U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rule making that would suspend the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail until more research and testing can be done to ensure the safety of moving this commodity by rail.

Debate heating over future of Northstar commuter rail

Discussion about maintaining commuter rail operations may grow as pandemic continues.

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