Falling concrete from rail bridge in Ohio has Norfolk Southern contemplating a long-term fix

Norfolk Southern crews were on-site in Bucyrus, Ohio, over the weekend after a piece of loose concrete fell from one of its rail bridges over the weekend. 

Capital Metro

New transit line in Austin could require voters to approve 22.5 percent tax rate increase

Called a once-in-a-generation investment, the proposed new rail line for the city of Austin, Texas, will most likely have one crack to sway voters in 2020. State law calls for taxing bodies

Lawsuits mounting against Ottawa’s Confederation Line; subcontractor claims it dealt with trash and delays

The city of Ottawa’s light rail system, the Confederation Line, continues to take on heat … and lawsuits.

Canadian National has not signed off on agreements for autoport project in Minn.

Winter put a stop to construction activity on an autoport project in Richmond, Minn. Meanwhile, negotiations between the town and Canadian National have been a tad icy.

Bells & Whistles—3/6/20

Austin’s Capital Metro has big plans, including subway running through downtown. Ottawa’s Confederation Line faces harsh criticism. Transit agencies respond to coronavirus. Norfolk Southern introduces autonomous inspection technology.

SOGR backlog

Late recap: Amtrak might be able to sue freight carriers for delays; short liner receives CRISI grant

A measure working its way through a Senate committee would allow Amtrak to sue freight railroad companies for delays.

Norfolk Southern reports Hoosac Tunnel will be out of service at least through the end of March

Norfolk Southern’s short line partner, Pan Am Southern, suffered a partial tunnel wall collapse in mid-February. NS is now reporting that the line which passes through the tunnel will be out of

Capital Metro

Austin’s Capital Metro gearing up for massive light rail system

Some think big, but Austin’s Capital Metro is thinking massive.

BART system upgrade

Measure would provide low-interest loans for passenger rail projects across the country

States might have some help when it comes to financing rail projects. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster have introduced legislation that would give states low-interest loans for passenger

BNSF breaks ground for second Sandpoint bridge

The first signs of physical progress have been made in BNSF Railway’s long-awaited plan to build a second bridge, nearly a mile in length, running parallel to its existing bridge across Lake

TriMet

A drop in riders could eliminate one-third of funding for TriMet’s Southwest Corridor Project in Portland, Ore.

Eliminating park-and-ride spots has TriMet officials in Portland doing a duck-and-cover. Passenger estimates for the new Southwest Corridor Project have dropped from 43,000 to 37,500. TriMet was initially planning on the higher

Ottawa Councillors say new Confederation Line is falling apart

Unhappy with the performance of Ottawa’s Confederation Line, Councillors have submitted a seething letter to Ontario’s Ombudsman demanding for an investigation.

Despite protestors, N.J. governor officially signals start of light rail extension project

The chants were overpowering the cheers. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the start of construction of the Hudson-Bergen light rail extension project. However, protestors disturbed the moment as they chanted against

ENSCO Rail deploys autonomous track geometry and rail profile measurement system in South America

ENSCO Rail, an international leader in advanced rail technology solutions for passenger, transit and freight markets, recently delivered its second Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS) and Autonomous Rail Profile Measurement System

Light rail projects in Texas benefit from FTA’s CIG Program

The U.S. DOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that three project sponsors of Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program projects are approved to use a combined $64.2 million of the federal share of

Bells & Whistles—2/28/20

Railroad companies might have to deal with another wet spring. Atlanta board passes plan that includes $11 billion for rail transit. Judge removes himself from Purple Line case. Amtrak decides to repair

Purple Line

Case involving Maryland’s Purple Line project is being delayed after judge removes himself

A judge is removing himself from a court case involving Maryland’s light-rail Purple Line because he lives near the site of a future station.

Georgia power plants could face ban on burning railroad ties

Public pressure is fueling a bill in the Georgia state Senate that would ban the burning of chemically treated railroad ties at two plants located in the northern end of the state.

Hoosac tunnel still out of service

Following is an update on the Hoosac Tunnel service disruption on Norfolk Southern’s partner line, Pan Am Southern, which affects all trains operating between Mechanicville, New York, and Ayer, Massachusetts.

Gateway projects

Gateway Project dream results in heavy maintenance reality for North River Tunnels

With the Gateway Project still a pipe dream, Amtrak has decided it needs to fix the 110-year-old “pipes” that run under the Hudson River in New York.

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