Phoenix Valley Metro and Valley Metro Rail elects new officers
Phoenix’s Valley Metro and Valley Metro Rail has elected new board officers for FY 13-14.
OFF Track Maintenance
PUCO approves upgrades to three crossings
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved construction authorization at three highway-rail grade crossings in Licking, Stark and Wood counties.
NRC launches scholarship program
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) has made scholarships available for tuition assistance to children or grandchildren of NRC members.
NYCT launches Fix & Fortify initiative with Greenpoint G Tube repairs
The first weekend in July saw crews making repairs to the Greenpoint G Tube as Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit launched the Fix & Fortify initiative to repair and strengthen portions of the system damaged in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
A dozen states awarded Operation Lifesaver safety grants
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 12 states for a variety of rail safety public education projects and public service announcements.
TIGER grant finalized for Montana Multimodal hub
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has finalized a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2011 grant for the Port of Northern Montana Multimodal Hub Center in Shelby, Mont.
Ann Arbor Railroad to lease Ohio track from NS
Ann Arbor Railroad, Inc. (AA), filed with the Surface Transportation Board on June 24 for permission to lease approximately 3.69 miles of track in Toledo, Ohio, from Norfolk Southern (NS).
Tutor Perini awarded Amtrak concrete casing contract
Tutor Perini Corporation has recently been awarded a contract by Amtrak to construct an underground concrete casing (box tunnel) beneath the Eastern Rail Yard of the Hudson Yards site in New York City.
RTD approves I-225 Montview Station move
In Denver, Colo., the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a request to move the planned Montview Station on the I-225 Rail Line to a new location on Fitzsimons Parkway.
RTA hires new director of communications
The Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) hired Susan Bisno Massel, who will serve as director of communications and public affairs.
TranSystems hires SVP of passenger and freight rail
TranSystems hired Sam Mansour, P.E., as senior vice president and client manager for the company’s passenger and freight rail practice areas. Mansour will be responsible for business development, client service and growth strategies across the West region.
Watco Mechanical Services names new VP of marketing and sales
Watco Mechanical Services promoted Marty Riedlinger to vice president of marketing and sales.
Riedlinger will be responsible for marketing and sales for all mechanical repair facilities, over¬seeing the estimating department for mechanical and meeting with corporate customer service representatives.
Riedlinger joined the Watco team in May 2011. He has previously served as direc¬tor of estimating and as a corporate customer service representative.
Holland names new North American sales manager MOW
Holland L.P has promoted Russ Gehl to North American sales manager maintenance of way and will be based out of the Crete, Ill., office.
Foxx Sworn in as 17th U.S. secretary of transportation
Anthony Foxx was sworn in as the nation’s 17th secretary of transportation by Judge Nathaniel Jones in a private ceremony at U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters July 2, 2013.
FWWR taps CTC for grade-crossing warning systems, base radios
The Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWWR) has entered into a five-year agreement with CTC Inc. (CTC), to maintain the railroad’s grade-crossing warning systems and base radios.
DuBois to chair LACMTA Board of Directors
City of Lakewood Councilmember Diane DuBois has taken over as chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors, effective July 1. She replaces outgoing Board Chairman Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich.
Congressmen Harris and Massie visit NRC member companies
Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, visited the Rhinehart Railroad Construction offices in Fallston, Md., on May 31, 2013. The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) organized the event.
Senate Appropriations Committee approves $250 million for HART
The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved $250 million in funding for Honolulu Authority For Rapid Transportation (HART), matching in full President Obama’s 2014 budget request and the 2012 Full Funding Grant Agreement.
BART employees strike
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) workers walked off the job early July 1 after negotiations for a new contract were not met.
CTA to launch new fare payment system
Some Chicago Transit Authority customers will begin using the new Ventra fare payment system, a single fare card for transit throughout the Chicago region, in August 2013, with a full public in September.