South Shore Freight steps in to help stranded Indiana passengers
An estimated 5,500 Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) South Shore Line riders were stranded on Jan. 12 following a “severe flash freeze situation.”
Safety
USDOT report confirms significant backlog in infrastructure investment
A Congressionally-mandated report has found that U.S. infrastructure requires more investment to maintain existing systems, as well as tackle a significant backlog of repair work.
Testing on Port Defiance Bypass to begin next week
Testing will begin along a portion of the Port Defiance Bypass project in Washington state in mid January.
USDOT announces formation of Federal Committee on Automation
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced the formation of an advisory committee focused on automation across several modes.
PANYNJ releases $32 billion 10-year capital plan
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released its draft 10-year capital plan, which addresses $32 billion worth of projects in New York and New Jersey.
Minnesota governor proposes “make up” bonding bill with $91M for rail
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith introduced a bill that would spend $1.5 billion to build more than 240 projects across the state, including more than $91 million in rail projects.
MTA awards L.K. Comstock Queens Boulevard Line signaling contract
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) awarded a $223.3-million contract to L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. to upgrade the Queens Boulevard Line signaling system and install communications-based train control (CBTC).
Jacobs awarded NJ Transit microgrid project
New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) has chosen Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., to carry out design and general engineering services for its NJ Transit microgrid project.
Reading & Northern increases track speed between Reading and Port Clinton, Penn.
Reading & Northern Railroad has increased the track speed of its Main Line between Reading, Penn., and Port Clinton to 40 mph.
MnDOT recommends bridge grade separation for troublesome crossing
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has completed a study into grade separation options at the state’s worst ranked grade crossing and has recommended an overpass option.
Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws
Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.
TriMet names rail expert as executive director of transportation
TriMet has hired Patrick Preusser as executive director of transportation where he will lead the transit agency’s Transportation Division.
Winners of 2016 NRC/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards announced
Recipients of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards were announced in a Dec. 27 email, with more than half of contestants earning perfect scores.
FRA civil penalty rate sets new record
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.
CREATE program, partners celebrate opening of 25th Avenue grade separation project
A new grade separation, part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, opened at 25th Avenue over Union Pacific’s line in Bellwood, Ill., on Dec. 22.
PATH completes 33rd Street Line signal upgrades, PTC installation
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) completed signal and safety upgrades on the PATH 33rd Street line, which will return to normal service on Dec. 24.
NRC names recipients of Projects of the Year; Field Employee of the Year awards
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) has named honorees for its 2016 special awards.
Union Pacific receives 20th Responsible Care® certification
Union Pacific (UP) recently received its 20th American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® Management System (RCMS) certification, which recognizes the railroad’s safe handling of hazardous materials during customer shipments.
STB adopts final rule for board-initiated investigations
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced Dec. 14 its adoption of a final rule to establish procedures for board-initiated investigations regarding railroad issues of national or regional influence pursuant to Section 12 of the STB’s Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Reauthorization Act), Pub. L. No. 114-110, 129 Stat. 2228 (2015).
SEPTA, BLET, SMART-UTU join FRA close call reporting system
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), SMART United Transportation Union-Local 61 (SMART-UTU) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) signed an Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU) on Dec. 12 to join the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS).