USDOT makes $21.9 million available to strengthen transit safety oversight

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making $21.9 million available to help strengthen public transportation safety for millions of riders and transit workers nationwide.

MTA 7 Subway extension project wins Construction Project of the Year

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $1.1 billion “Running Tunnels and Underground Structures” contract, the first portion of the $2.1-billion 7 Subway Line Extension Project, will be awarded the 2013 Construction Project of the Year by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

NS names six to senior management

Norfolk Southern has promoted six in upper management with effective dates of June 1 and July 1.

SYSTRA names new executive vice president of engineering

SYSTRA has promoted Joseph Sais, PE, to executive vice president, engineering. In this capacity, Sais will oversee the firm’s U.S.-based infrastructure, traction power, systems, and construction management and program management sectors.

LACMTA receives more than $390 million from CTC and Caltrans for improvements

Los Angles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) was awarded more than $390 million from the California Transportation Commission and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to support construction of new rail, upgrade existing transit service, buy much-needed rail cars,

LA City Council approves BNSF SCIG project

BNSF says that the Los Angeles City Council vote to approve its Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project a significant vote for jobs and a greener economy.

CHSRA awards Balfour Beatty $120-million management contract

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has awarded a two-year, $120-million contract extension to Parsons Brinckerhoff, Balfour Beatty’s professional services division, for program management services on the California High-Speed Rail project.

CP’s Hunter Harrison inducted into hall of fame

Canadian Pacific (CP) Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has been inducted into the Maritime Association of Port of New York & New Jersey’s International Maritime Hall of Fame.

Altus acquires Rocla Concrete Tie

Altus Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on middle-market manufacturing companies in the U.S., has acquired Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., manufacturer of pre-stressed concrete railroad ties.

CP increases 2013 capital investment

Canadian Pacific (CP) will move forward certain capital spending projects originally targeted for 2014 into this year, funded by a higher than anticipated 2013 cash-flow projection. CP will be investing an additional CA$75 (US$74.8) to CA$100 (US$99.7) million into its 2013 capital investment program.

Joseph Leader to head NYCT’s Department of Subways

Veteran transit manager Joseph Leader has been named New York City Transit’s (NYCT) acting senior vice president, Department of Subways, filling the position most recently held by Carmen Bianco, who is currently serving as acting president of NYCT.

UP earns logistics award

Union Pacific (UP) earned Nissan Motor Company’s 2012 Logistics Carrier Conference Logistics Success Story Award, which identifies carriers and providers that went above and beyond normal expectations in the past year.

BLET celebrates 150th anniversary

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 8; the union was founded on May 8, 1863.

Watco names new COO

Watco Mechanical Services (WMS) named Mark Peterson-Overton as chief operating officer. He will be responsible for managing all hands-on operational aspects of Watco Mechanical Services on a daily basis.

Gross & Janes enters into crosstie agreement with Boatright

Gross & Janes Co. has entered into an agreement to manage and operate two green crosstie processing facilities owned by Boatright Railroad Products in Montevallo and Clanton, Ala.

CTA seeks bids for $203-million Wilson Red Line station construction

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has issued an Invitation for Bids, seeking a general contractor for the $203-million reconstruction of the Wilson Red Line station. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall and continue through 2016.

ARDA annual meeting speakers confirmed

The 107th American Railway Development Association Annual Meeting June 2-5 in San Francisco, Calif., will feature presentations from a long list of industry professionals.

Feds provide $30.2 million to Amtrak for Sandy repairs

The Federal Railroad Administration has released $30.2 million to Amtrak to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along its Northeast Corridor. The funding comes from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.

FRA issues switching operations safety advisory

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an industry-wide safety advisory to warn about safety hazards associated with flat switching operations on railroads.

Caltrain reviews budget, ridership increases

California’s Caltrain presented a preliminary report to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which owns and operates Caltrain, indicating the rail service’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget will be balanced, but warning that Fiscal Year 2015 faces a significant budget shortfall.

LOAD MORE