New U.S.-Mexico rail bridge to open in second half of 2015
The first railroad bridge to be built in more than a century connecting the U.S. and Mexico is expected to be operational by the second half of 2015.
Safety
Metra plans tie, switch projects on Milwaukee District Lines; readies Englewood Flyover for expansion
Chicagoland’s Metra will perform tie replacement and switch replacement along its Milwaukee District Lines this spring.
WMATA to return Red Line to automatic train operation
Following years of signal upgrades, independent testing and the closure of key National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority will return the Red Line to automatic train operation (ATO) on April 13.
Expo Light Rail Line begins testing
In California, clearance testing for the second phase of the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority’s Expo Line light-rail project began April 6 with a train running under its own power running west from Culver City. This is the first time a light-rail vehicle has crossed the new bridge over Venice Boulevard.
INDOT, FRA move forward on accountability agreement for Amtrak Hoosier State Line
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reached an understanding of the clear lines of accountability for passenger rail safety and accessibility between Indianapolis, Ind., and Chicago, Ill., allowing Indiana to implement long-term improvements to the daily service.
Secretary Foxx sends long-term transportation bill to Congress
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a six-year transportation bill to Congress.
NYCT’s FASTRACK returns to Manhattan and Queens
On March 30, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens.
MBTA suspends weekend service on Fitchburg Line to perform track upgrades
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to suspend weekend service on the Fitchburg Line from April 25 until November 22.
RailComm to install yard control system in Mississippi
RailComm says a North American Class 1 railroad with a large switching yard located in Mississippi has chosen the company to install a yard control system.
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.
ASLRRA reveals full list of safety winners
The American Short Line Rail and Regional Association (ASLRRA) disclosed the winners of its 2014 Safety Awards including Safety Person of the Year, Safety Professional of the Year, Most Improved Award, the President’s Awards, Jake Awards with Distinction and Jake Awards.
FRA to hold annual Right-of-Way Fatality & Trespass Prevention Workshop in August
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) 2015 Right-of-Way Fatality & Trespass Prevention Workshop will be held August 4 – 6, 2015, at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, in Charlotte, N.C.
LIRR begins work to replace Colonial Road Bridge
The Long Island Rail Road’s $45-million Colonial Road Improvement Project is now underway. The Colonial Road Bridge will close to vehicular traffic March 30 and contractors prepare to demolish the 115-year old bridge that spans the tracks in the Village of Thomaston near the LIRR’s Great Neck Station.
ASLRRA 2014 Safety Person of the Year: Billie Johnson, OmniTRAX
OmniTRAX Inc.‘s Billie Johnson, general manager for Newburgh & South Shore Railroad and Northern Ohio & Western Railway, has been named the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) 2014 Safety Person of the Year. Johnson will receive the award at the ASLRRA Convention in Orlando, Fla., March 28-30.
Low Level Road Project completion clears way for additional train capacity
The Low Level Road Project in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, is now complete.
RAILS Act would help fund rail safety technologies for five years
Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL-3) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-5) introduced the Reassuring Adequate Investment in Lifesaving Systems (RAILS) Act, which reauthorizes the Rail Safety Technology Grant program to improve the safety of the nation’s railroads.
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.
NS holds ribbon cutting to celebrate “Railroad University” expansion
Norfolk Southern held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of its “Railroad University” and redoubled its commitment to superior transportation services for its present and future rail customers.
Rep. Maloney calls on FRA to perform deep dive examination of crossings
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) called for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to do a “Deep Dive” examination into measures to reduce collisions and deaths following what he called “a significant increase” in these accidents at grade crossings.
Gov. Dayton proposes crossing safety projects to be bankrolled partially by railroads
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proposed 75 grade-crossing projects to improve safety and improve congestion across the state.