Montana rail spur receives EDA funds
The Lincoln County Port Authority in Libby, Mont., received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for a planned rail spur.
Ballast, Ties, Rail
MassDOT awards grants to enhance freight rail access
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has awarded seven grants totaling more than $2.2 million as part of the 2016 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP).
BART’s plan to repair tunnels involves bentonite and a ballot measure
“Save the rainforest” is not a mantra embraced by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) maintenance crews. Their “rainforest” is a nickname bestowed on the miles of underground track in downtown San Francisco that have developed problematic water intrusion issues following more than 40 years of use.
Infrastructure investments on D&H line results in improved service for Norfolk Southern
It’s been one year since Norfolk Southern purchased the Delaware & Hudson Railway Co.’s (D&H) line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y.
Amtrak names program management support team for Gateway Program
Amtrak has chosen Hill International and CH2M to provide program management support services for its Gateway Program in the Northeast Corridor.
Wisconsin awards $37 million to freight rail projects
Six Wisconsin freight rail projects were awarded $37 million in grants and loans from the state’s Freight Railroad Assistance Program.
FRA awards $25 million in safety grants
Safety at crossings, stations and tracks in 14 states and the District of Columbia will be enhanced thanks to $25 million in grants awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
MBTA resumes winter resiliency efforts
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) had extra help kicking off its second phase of winter resiliency work during the weekend of Sept. 10-11.
Plasser announces Blechinger as new president
Plasser American Corporation has announced that the company selected Thomas Blechinger as its new President, succeeding Dr. Günther Oberlechner.
Wheeler Lumber hosts South Dakota congressional staff for tour, rail discussion
Wheeler Lumber, a National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member, received a visit from the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) for a tour of the company’s Whitewood, South Dakota, facility Sept. 8.
Gross & Janes awarded patent for crosstie pre-treatment
Gross & Janes Co. has received a United States Patent for a ‘two-step’ borate pre-treatment dipping process and related equipment the company developed to increase the life of wood railroad crossties.
WSDOT still has $5 million available for freight rail projects
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has reopened the application period for $5 million in loans for freight rail projects.
TriMet completes Rose Quarter MAX improvements
TriMet resumed regular service along MAX light-rail lines Sept. 4 in Portland, Ore., following improvements that were made during the past two weeks.
Complete failure of cracked rail led to Jan. 2015 CP derailment
A complete failure of an already-cracked rail led to the January 2015 derailment of a Canadian Pacific train near Nipigon, Ontario, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
Springfield Rail Project takes a step forward with completed Carpenter Street underpass
Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 29 to mark the completion of the Carpenter Street underpass, a grade separation project that will also help support larger rail improvements in Springfield, Ill.
Canada, Ontario reach US$2.3B funding agreement for infrastructure
The government of Canada and the province of Ontario reached an agreement that makes CA$2.97 billion (US$2.3 billion) in combined funding available for infrastructure improvements in the province.
MTA uses special machine to speed up track laying
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed track laying between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma for the Long Island Rail Road Double Track project (LIRR).
CTC allocates $55M to rail, safety projects in California
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $814 million to 135 transportation projects in the state and includes $55 million to four rail and safety projects.
Oregon DOT approves nearly $12 million for rail projects
The Oregon Transportation Commission has approved nearly $12 million in funding for rail projects statewide.
WMATA expands East Falls Church derailment investigation
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is expanding the investigation into the East Falls Church derailment to include Metro Transit Police.