Colorado Public Utilities Commission Requests RTD To Strengthen Maintenance Plans

DENVER – Colorado Public Utilities Commission states RTD has failed to prevent increasing maintenance issues for its light rail system.

FRA Publishes Three Technical Reports; RABIT, Ballast Stabilization, 3D Scanning Method for Crossties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published three technical reports on RABIT system, ballast stabilization, and using a handheld scanner to scan the surface of crossties.

House Subcommittee Hearing to Address California Locomotive Emissions Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will hold a hearing this week on the California rule on locomotive emissions.

Maryland BPW Approves $100MM Contract to Advance Baltimore Red Line

BALTIMORE – Maryland Board of Public Works approved a Program Management Consultant service contract for the Maryland Transit Administration.

Ontario’s Northlander Service Revival Advances

ONTARIO – The Ontario government on May 31 awarded three contracts totaling C$75 million to design and build nine new station shelters, improve track, and complete warning system upgrades as part of its plan to reinstate Northlander passenger rail service between Timmons and Toronto with a rail connection to Cochrane.

MnDOT Will ‘Play a Bigger Role’ in Light Rail Projects

MINNEAPOLIS – The MnDOT will have more involvement over Minnesota light rail projects, but it will not replace the Met Council completely.

ICC Approves Stipulated Agreement To Install devices in Iroquois County

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Commerce Commission approved an agreement to install automated warning devices at County Road 2700 North highway-rail grade crossing in Iroquois County.

NTSB Issues RIR-24-04; October 2022 PATCO Train Accident

CAMDEN, N.J. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a Railroad Investigation Report concerning a Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) train.

SEIS Will Be Prepared for Maryland Transit Administration’s Red Line Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FTA and the Maryland Transit Administration issued a notice that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) will be prepared for the Red Line Project.

Two Technical Reports From FRA: Concrete Railroad Ties; Visual and Automation-Aided Track Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published two technical reports; one on the concrete railroad tie freeze-thaw durability and the other is supplemental to a previous study on track inspections.

Audit Report: Portal North Bridge Project Progressing, but ‘Opportunities to Improve’ Exist

WASHINGTON, D.C. – From the Officer of Inspector General, National Railroad Passenger Corporation, it has found the Portal North Bridge project is on budget and on schedule.

UP Petitions FRA for Waiver of Compliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a petition for waiver of compliance.

Twin Cities & Western Railroad, Railway Age’s 2008 Short Line of the Year, is receiving a $328,424 grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to extend the stub track over a recently acquired parcel and to create a full siding with connections to its main line, enabling greater access and track capacity to support a large transload operation.

MnDOT Awards $9.6MM to 11 Rail Improvement Projects

ST. PAUL, Minn.: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is distributing a total of $9.6 million in grants to 11 freight railroad improvement projects that it said will support economic development in different regions of the state.

National Industrial Transportation League Sees STB Reciprocal Switching Rule As ‘Missed Opportunity’

WASHINGTON –– The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) is not pleased with the new reciprocal switching rule enacted by the STB.

NTSB Investigating UP Track Maintenance Manager Fatality in Arkansas 

MCNEIL, Ark. – The NTSB is investigating a Union Pacific Railroad employee fatality that occurred in April in McNeil, Arkansas.

STB Finalizes Reciprocal Switching Rule

WASHINGTON –– The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30 reported adopting Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service, STB Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), by unanimous vote, implementing new regulations at 49 CFR part 1145, which it said “sets forth a path for shippers and receivers to petition the Board for the prescription of a reciprocal switching agreement.” The final rule “is designed to promote adequate rail service,” according to the STB. Board Member Robert Primus concurred with a separate expression, noting “I am voting for the final rule because something is better than nothing.” Frank N. Wilner, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, weighs in and provides a reciprocal switching “primer.”

FRA and AAR Report: Design and Testing of EPC Ties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration and the Association of American Railroads collaborated to investigate the design and testing of engineered-polymer (EPC) ties.

Amtrak

Amtrak Details Great Lakes Stations Improvement Program in FY 2025 Grant Request

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In Amtrak’s General and Legislative Annual Report & Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Request, it details a Great Lakes Stations Improvement program.

FRA Issues Safety Bulletin for Working With On-Track Equipment 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety bulletin reminding railroaders to take precautions while working with roadway maintenance machines (RMM).

Federal Transit Administration Invites Public Input on Proposed Policy Changes for Major Capital Grant Program

WASHINGTON – To continue advancing transit projects that have a transformative impact on American communities, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is inviting public comment on revisions to policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.

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