CHSRA appoints director of planning and integration

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has appointed Melissa DuMond as director of planning and integration. She will be responsible for advancing CHSRA’s implementation of the high-speed rail program by coordinating station area development, overseeing the advancement of integrated service with other rail providers and management of general corridor planning activities.

New regional rail station coming to Allston, Mass.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick today joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Richard Davey, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and state and local officials to announce that the I-90/Massachusetts Turnpike Allston Interchange Improvements project will include a new commuter rail stop, with pedestrian and bike access, that will allow for increased development and growth opportunities in the area.

TEX Rail construction could begin in 2016 with ROD receipt

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the TEX Rail project. The ROD sets the stage for construction on the project to possibly begin in 2016.

UP wins Hay Award at AREMA conference

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2014 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to Union Pacific for its Santa Teresa Terminal project in New Mexico.

Mongeau: System improvement investment linked to commercially-driven regulatory regime

While speaking to the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, said CN’s capacity to invest in continued improvements in rail transportation to support Saskatchewan’s thriving economy requires a sound, commercially-driven regulatory regime.

Tentative price agreement reached for Sarah Mildred Long Bridge replacement project

The Maine and New Hampshire Departments of Transportation have reached a tentative price agreement with Cianbro Corporation of Pittsfield, Maine, for the replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge in Kittery.

NTSB report, recommendations aimed at protecting roadway workers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a special investigation report on the recent increase in deaths of railroad and rail transit roadway workers on or near tracks and made recommendations to reduce the number of fatalities.

Metrolinx acquires CN line for regional rail service

In Toronto, ON, Canada, Metrolinx purchased a segment of Canadian National rail line principally used by GO Transit passenger trains in the Georgetown-Kitchener, ON, area west of Toronto for CA$76 million (US$68 million).

Rep. Hultgren visits Atlantic Track

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL-14) joined representatives from Atlantic Track and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of Atlantic Track’s manufacturing facility in Richmond, Ill.

CTA breaks ground on “signature” transit hub

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground on its new 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest station projects in CTA history. The $240-million reconstruction project will replace the current facility, built in 1969, creating a “signature” transit hub that will serve CTA’s busiest rail line.

CTA sees decline in trespassing one year after safety campaign launch

One year after launching a campaign focused on rail-customer safety, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has seen a nearly 17 percent drop in the number of reports of people trespassing on CTA railroad tracks.

Rocla Concrete Tie makes managerial changes

Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties has made a number of management changes that the company says will provide customer-centric support and operational oversight to its new facilities and subsidiaries.

Gannett Fleming names King vice president

Brian W. King, PE, has been named a vice president with Gannett Fleming. Based in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, Penn., King serves as a manager of maintenance facilities in the Transit and Rail Section.

Operation Lifesaver awards 11 grants to transit agencies for “See Tracks? Think Train!” campaigns

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), is awarding $162,500 in grant funds for public awareness and safety education projects involving 11 transit agencies across the United States.

Watco forms safety team; makes appointments to West Region and SKOL

Watco Companies has formed the Watco Safety, Training, and Compliance Team. The company says the team formation is an effort to continually improve focus on its people and customers.

Senate Commerce Committee passes STB reauthorization act; PRRIA passes House T&I Committee

Two pieces of rail-related legislation have progressed on opposite sides of the hill.

AAR: STB reauthorization bill could thwart railroads’ ability to invest in expansion projects

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is expressing concerns over the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Bill (S.2777), scheduled to be marked up in the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.

KCS rebuilds six bridges on Beaumont Subdivision

Kansas City Southern completed a large bridge project where it rebuilt six timber bridges on the Beaumont Subdivision in an area known as the Sabine River bottoms near Starks, La., in order to increase track speed to add capacity.

Metro-North begins bridge cable replacement project

Starting September 15, crews will begin work at the Harlem River Lift Bridge in New York to replace 60-year-old cables that lift the bridge and install all new electrical components designed to increase their resiliency to potential storm surge flooding.

Nordco names president of rail

Nordco Inc. hired Jeff Roschyk as president of rail, where he will oversee the entire rail business, including new equipment, rebuild and aftermarket, rail inspection services and rail sales.

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