Amtrak names two to operations positions

Amtrak named Thomas Hall chief of customer services and Jay Commer general manager of state-supported services. Both will report directly to Vice President of Operations DJ Stadtler, effective immediately.

Ottawa’s Confederation Line project agreement finalized

In Ottawa, ON, Canada, the city finalized the project agreement with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to design, build, finance and maintain its new 12.5-kilometer (7.7-mile) Confederation Line Light Rail project.

ARTBA analysis shows states invested in rail-related projects in 2012

State departments of transportation (DOTs) and local governments committed a little more than $117 billion in funding for transportation-related construction projects during 2012,

APTA praises Obama for connecting jobs and public transit infrastructure investment

Michael Melaniphy, president and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), congratulated President Obama for “highlighting the connection between American jobs and transportation

Senate transportation subcommittee members named

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works named the Senate Transportation Subcommittee members for the 113th Congress.

Union Pacific makes corporate relations appointments

Union Pacific (UP) will promote Donna Kush to vice president public affairs northern region, effective April 1, succeeding Joe Bateman.

Axion: ECOTRAX product and performance standards advance

Axion International Holdings, Inc., says the developmental progression of its ECOTRAX™ composite crossties is yielding consistently higher performance results, which meet and exceed domestic and international standards for crossties.

CN suspends feasibility study of proposed rail line in Quebec/Labrador iron ore range

Canadian National (CN) is suspending the feasibility study for the construction of its proposed rail line and terminal handling facility to serve the Quebec/Labrador iron ore range.

NTSB to hold forum on Positive Train Control

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a public forum on Positive Train Control (PTC) on Feb. 27, 2013.

Citywide quiet zone coming to Dana Point, Calif.

Starting Feb. 14, Dana Point, Calif., will join the list of quiet-zone communities in Orange County.

Union Pacific names Betsworth vice president – intermodal operations

Union Pacific named Kate Betsworth vice president – intermodal operations.

Transportation committee to focus on federal role in infrastructure at hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold its first hearing of the 113th Congress entitled “The Federal Role in America’s Infrastructure.”

ELPC releases Midwest high-speed rail supply chain report

A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows “investment in the next generation of rail would increase rail manufacturing and jobs throughout the industrial Midwest.”

Texas & Northern employees select UTU division

Employees, including maintenance-of-way workers, machinists and mechanics, of the Texas & Northern Railway Company voted to be represented by United Transportation Union’s SMART Transportation Division.

WMATA report card shows gains in 2012

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WAMTA) made significant gains in train reliability, reduced employee and customer injuries, as well as other markers in 2012, according to its annual “Vital Signs” report card, which will be presented to its board of directors Feb. 14.

ITS grants available for multistate projects

State departments of transportation can now apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for multistate, multimodal projects that involve Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

Gov. Corbett has a $2 billion transportation plan for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has a plan to inject nearly $2 billion of additional funding into Pennsylvania’s transportation system.

Boston-to-Concord rail study approved

New Hampshire’s Executive Council approved a $3.6-million contract to study options for passenger rail between Boston, Mass., and Concord, N.H.

BNSF 2012 economic development efforts lead to record investments and jobs

BNSF’s economic development generated approximately $1.8 billion in new investment and more than 6,200 new jobs in 23 states.

ODOT, WSDOT sign passenger rail agreement

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Washington State Department of Transportation signed an agreement that will improve the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor.

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