Loram hosts Sen. Klobuchar for facility tour; policy discussion

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), speaking just a few miles from where she grew up, told a crowd of Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., employees that the work they do is the backbone of where the country needs to go.

Union Pacific invests $110.3M in Iowa, Oregon networks

Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to spend an estimated $47 million on its Iowa network and about $63.3 million on its network in Oregon this year to improve safety, efficiency and customer service.

 

Illinois crossing projects get $194M

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its annual 5-year plan for the Crossing Safety Improvement Program, which will roll out highway-rail safety projects throughout the state.

 

NTSB’s Sumwalt offers updates on rail at ‘Most Wanted’ midpoint

Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), offered insight on the status of important rail safety changes at the midpoint of the Most Wanted List 2017–2018 cycle in a March 26 blog post.

Omnibus FY18: A little bit of good news for a lot of the rail industry

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill on Thursday, March 22. The president signed the legislation (even though his Twitter activity suggested otherwise) to avoid a government shutdown, but noted his displeasure saying there were elements of the legislation he was not happy about.

NYC Transit plans flood resiliency project for April

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit has announced a flood protection project in the Rockaways intended to strengthen subway infrastructure and make it more resilient in the face of future storms.

 

LIRR lays out improvement plan

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) detailed a slate of nearly 60 actions it will take to improve the railroad’s performance through a new initiative called the LIRR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

FRA holding PTC meetings with railroads, suppliers

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) leadership is stepping up its role in the journey toward positive train control (PTC) implementation by meeting with railroad and supply representatives to ensure progress is being made.

FTA certifies SSO Programs in Massachusetts and Hawaii

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has certified the rail transit State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs of Massachusetts and Hawaii.

Union Pacific Louisiana network to receive $87 million investment

Union Pacific will spend an estimated $87 million on its Louisiana network this year to enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

Latest safety stats a mixed bag with crossing, trespassing incidents up

Recently released statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reveal a mixed safety story for the rail industry with 2017 marking the lowest rate of track-caused and human factor-caused accidents ever, but the year also saw an increase in crossing incidents and in trespassing casualties.

railroad track

NH House votes to fund Boston to Manchester passenger rail study

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has voted to designate federal funding to conduct an in-depth financial, engineering and environmental study of a proposed passenger rail expansion project that would connect Boston, Mass., to Manchester.

 

Union Pacific targets $85 million capital program for Wyoming

Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to invest $85 million in Wyoming’s transportation infrastructure in 2018.

 

Quebec’s RTM lays out investment plan to boost rail reliability

The Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM) in Quebec detailed a five-year plan to improve service reliability along all rail lines and includes investments in infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, maintenance, as well as an enhanced winter operation plan.

Union Pacific plans $103.6 million capital program in Illinois

Union Pacific (UP) has announced it will support $103.6 million in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure work this year.

 

SEPTA to begin Woodland Ave. bridge project

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is collaborating with the city of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on the complete replacement of the Woodland Avenue bridge.

 

Protran Technology adds Holmstrom as director of sales

Protran Technology, a division of Harsco Rail, has tapped Kyley Holmstrom to serve as the company’s director of sales.

 

Capitol Hill this week: Shortlines discuss value and needs

The infrastructure needs and value brought by the shortline railroads in the United States were the topic of testimony given at two Congressional hearings this week.

Union Pacific’s Kansas network to see $113 million investment in 2018

Union Pacific plans to invest $113 million into its Kansas network in 2018. The Class 1 says the investment will enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

Rail to benefit from $96M in TIGER grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released a list of recipients of the nearly $500 million in available Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

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