TIGER V: Three ports receive funds

The Port of Baltimore, Port of Tucson and Port of Oswego have received $16.5 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

USDOT proposed rule would expand Surface Transportation Project Delivery program

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a rule proposal that would give states an opportunity to manage the federally required environmental review process for highway, rail and transit projects.

CTA begins construction on Cermak Green Line Station

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground August 29 on the new Cermak Green Line station, a $50-million construction project that will energize the area around McCormick Place and provide an additional transportation option for the Near South Side.

Hawaii approves transit archaeological survey, construction could begin in a month

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) rail transit project could resume construction as early as September after the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) approved the archaeological survey reports. The approval also allows HART to begin permit applications.

UP, Confederated Tribes sign MOU for Oregon projects

Union Pacific and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon have signed a master access agreement and a memorandum of understanding.

Alaska Railroad seeks new president and CEO

The Alaska Railroad Corporation is looking for someone to fill the position of president and chief executive officer.

OmniTRAX names new chief strategy officer

OmniTRAX, Inc., hired Pierre-Luc Mathieu as chief strategy officer. In his role, Mathieu will have the primary responsibility for strategy development, service expansion, new market entry and mergers and acquisitions processes.

Ethiopian delegation tours RTD to research transit solutions

At the request of the U.S. Department of State, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., hosted a high-level Ethiopian delegation on August 20 to research transit solutions to improve the availability, quality and efficient delivery of transportation services to the disabled in their nation.

“We are pleased to respond to this request from the state department’s International Visitor Leadership Program,” stated Phil Washington, RTD general manager. “It is humbling to be recognized both in America and internationally for our light-rail system and how we continue to pursue ways to improve transportation delivery to disabled community members.”

Delegation members represent the Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC), the Addis Ababa Road and Transport Bureau and the National Association of Physical Handicap. ERC officials have expressed interest in ensuring that the light-rail transport now under construction, the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, will be a state-of-the-art facility and meet internationally accepted disability standards.

 

Orseno named Metra’s interim executive director

In Chicago, Metra has selected Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operations Officer Donald Orseno, a lifelong railroader, as the interim executive director/CEO.

Vossloh plans production plant for fastening systems

Vossloh AG is stepping up its presence in North America and opening a production plant for its rail fastening systems in the U.S. The fitting out of the facility will start in the third quarter of 2013, with plant commissioning followed by regular production scheduled to begin after mid-2014. There will be 50 new jobs at the plant in Waco, Texas.

New Jersey plans storm resilient power grid

The state of New Jersey is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy to design NJ TransitGrid, a first-of-its-kind electrical microgrid capable of supplying highly-reliable power during storms or other times when the traditional centralized grid is compromised.

Parsons Brinckerhoff receives CTA construction management contract

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff to provide construction management services for transit projects throughout its system.

Community leaders rally behind Caltrain’s TIGER grant request

Elected officials and community leaders are rallying in support of Caltrain‘s $20-million request for federal funding to help electrify and upgrade the performance, operating efficiency, capacity, safety and reliability of the passenger rail service.

Rick Corman, 1955-2013

Richard J. “Rick” Corman, founder of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, died the morning of August 23, 2013, following a 12-year battle with multiple myeloma. Corman died at his home in Nicholasville, Ky., surrounded by his family. He was 58.

VIA Rail suspends service due to track conditions

VIA Rail Canada has suspended service between Matapédia, New Carlisle and Gaspé, as a result of Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie (SCFG)’s rail infrastructure problems in Quebec.

Van Schaick joins Watco as AVP government affairs

Watco Companies hired Jeff Van Schaick as assistant vice president, government affairs.

RTD FasTracks marks milestones on two projects

In Denver, Colo., the Regional Transportation District (RTD) celebrates milestones on its Eagle P3 project and I-225 Rail Line.

Tacoma Link celebrates ten years and 9.4 million riders

Sound Transit celebrated 10 years of light-rail service on its Tacoma Link August 21.

Florida DOT awards four intermodal support grants

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded more than $4.9 million to intermodal projects in the state. FDOT selected four projects to fund from a total of eight applications received in the FY 2012/2013 funding cycle.

LIRR’s Massapequa Station rehab enters next phase

The next segment of a $40-million facelift of the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Massapequa Station started August 21, as the railroad continues the work it began in the spring on a two-year rehabilitation project.

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