The Union Pacific Board of Directors approved the company’s 2016 capital plan of approximately $3.75 billion, down about $550 million versus 2015. The plan includes $375 million to further implement Positive Train Control.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the new Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) rail station. The project includes adding a fourth track to nine miles of the Northeast Corridor surrounding BWI and reconfiguring the platforms to allow boarding from all four tracks.
Beginning Feb. 8, Metrolink will begin replacing 21,000 crossties in Orange County, Calif., over the course of nine weeks between the cities of Orange and San Juan Capistrano.
Connecticut has allocated $17.5 million in state funding for the design, engineering and construction of a new rail yard on the Metro-North Railroad Danbury Branch Line in Norwalk. The funding comes under Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy “Let’s Go CT!” initiative, which is making investments to upgrade and modernize the state’s transportation system.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in Oakland, Calif., has allocated $494 million to help more than 20 San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies replace or rehabilitate aging buses, ferries, rail cars, tracks and bridges; update safety, control and communications systems; install new fare-collection equipment;
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved the final major contract for the East Side Access project, which will build and finish four platforms and eight tracks for the new Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) terminal.
Norfolk Southern has a planned capital improvement budget of $2.1 billion in 2016, which is $300 million less than its record $2.4 billion capital plan in 2015.
BNSF Railway released plans for a $4.3 billion 2016 capital expenditure program focuses on helping to ensure the company continues to operate a safe and reliable network this year and beyond.
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) is encouraging the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to pursue Alternative B, also known as the Buffalo River plan, in a study examining options to enhance access and expand connectivity along the southern end of the Metro Rail line in Downtown Buffalo, N.Y.
Kansas City Southern estimates its 2016 capital program will be between $580-590 million, which represents an approximate 10 percent decline from its $649 million program in 2015.
Union Pacific is planning for a $3.75 billion capital program in 2016, pending approval from its board the railroad said in an earning release.
The Port Authority of Alleghany County plans to replace nearly a mile of aging and deteriorating light-rail tracks and street pavement in Beechview, Pa., beginning in March.
CSX is aiming for a $2.4 billion capital expenditure program in 2016, which reflects a $100 million reduction over 2015 numbers.
Richard Morsches, PE, has been promoted to chief executive officer of TranSystems Corp. He brings to this role more than 30 years of experience and progressive leadership from serving clients locally in the Chicago area, to managing offices throughout the region, to leading the firm’s strategy and sales efforts nationally.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) will invest approximately $15 million in 2016 on rail and bridge improvement projects on its Beaumont Subdivision between DeQuincy and DeRidder, La. These projects will help grow capacity, as well as maintain and enhance safety on KCS’ cross-border network.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) awarded more than $31 million in grants and loans for seven freight rail projects in the state. The goal of Wisconsin’s freight railroad assistance program is to increase the use of rail transportation and support economic development and job creation.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has scheduled critical work in 2016 on the Flushing 7 Line between Manhattan and Queens.
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Hall of Fame Selection Committee unanimously selected Cosmo Lawrence Laurello, known as Larry, Sr., as this year’s only entrant into the NRC Hall of Fame, who will be honored at the 2016 NRC Conference in San Diego, Calif.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver is nearing completion of its 64th Avenue Bridge between Pecos Street and Federal Boulevard. The bridge replaces a portion of the existing 64th Avenue roadway and an at-grade railroad crossing with a grade-separated crossing.