Trump Administration’s proposed budget cuts USDOT funds; TIGER, Amtrak long distance train funding gone

The Trump Administration released its proposed 2017 budget, which includes reducing funds to the U.S. Department of Transportation and eliminating Amtrak’s long distance train funding, as well as popular transportation grants.

Gannett Fleming expands Toronto transit and rail team

Gannett Fleming Canada ULC is expanding its transportation practice with the addition of three experienced professionals to its Toronto office: David Bannister, Yousef Kimiagar and Magdy Samaan.

Railway Age honors Prendergast as Railroader of the Year

Former New York MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast was honored as Railway Age’s 54th Railroader of the Year at a dinner of the Western Railway Club on March 14 at the historic Union League Club, Chicago.

Holland announces Mike O’Grady as Chief Operating Officer

Holland LP announced Mike O’Grady as their new chief operating officer for the maintenance of way operating groups – mobile welding, thermite welding, fixed plant welding, turnkey solutions and track measurement.

Kerri Tyerman, infrastructure delivery expert, joins HNTB

Kerri Tyerman, PE, joined HNTB Corporation as the transportation department manager working in the firm’s New Jersey operations. She is based in HNTB’s Parsippany office.

AECOM names Paul Praylo chief operating officer of its construction services business

AECOM announced that Paul Praylo has been named chief operating officer of its Construction Services (CS) business, a global construction division that has grown from under $2B to nearly $7B in revenue in the last five years.

Elected officials join Axion Structural Innovations for tour, rail discussion

Representatives from the office of U.S. Congressman Bill Flores’s (R-TX-17) and Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver joined representatives from Axion Structural Innovations LLC to tour Axion’s Waco manufacturing facility and discuss pressing rail and manufacturing issues with various rail stakeholders and local officials.

STV names Bonstead VP; Mcintyre SVP

STV has named Tyler Bonstead, P.E., AICP, as vice president and Scott McIntyre, P.E., LEED AP, as senior vice president.

Amit Bose joins HNTB as mid-Atlantic district transit and rail director

Amit Bose joined HNTB Corporation as mid-Atlantic district transit and rail director, and associate vice president, based in the firm’s Arlington, Va., office. His responsibilities include delivering major transit and rail projects, supporting national transit and rail programs, and growing HNTB’s mid-Atlantic rail practice.

Orange, Durham counties agree to accelerated LRT plan schedule

Orange and Durham counties in North Carolina have agreed to an accelerated schedule to update country transit plans and a cost sharing agreement for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit project.

British Columbia to study Vancouver Island commuter rail

British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced on March 9 that the Canadian province will study options for establishing commuter rail services on Vancouver Island.

Ottawa approves expanded Stage 2 LRT plan

A plan to expand the scope of the Stage 2 light-rail project has been approved by the Ottawa City Council in Canada.

Amtrak voices “firm commitment” to Gulf Coast service restoration

Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman reiterated his railroad’s commitment in a letter to seeing rail service restored along the Gulf Coast.

Tierney to succeed Batory at Conrail

Conrail’s Board of Directors has named Timothy Tierney president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. Tierney succeeds Ronald Batory, who is retiring after nearly 46 years in the railroad industry.

HNTB welcomes Jacob Argiro to Connecticut team

Jacob “Jake” Argiro, PE, joined HNTB Corporation as Connecticut office operations manager and associate vice president. He is based in the firm’s Rocky Hill office, where he manages HNTB’s operations throughout the state, including project management, budgeting, quality control and staffing.

Trimble and Railhead Corp. partnership brings real-time remote diagnostics to North American rail markets

Trimble announced that it is partnering with Illinois-based Railhead Corporation to integrate real-time remote monitoring, diagnostics and on-board video to maximize locomotive asset utilization and productivity for railway operators.

Brightline adds new CEO, expands management

Brightline, the private operator of intercity passenger rail service in Florida, announced that Dave Howard has joined the company as chief executive.

Gov. Malloy: Focus on NEC repair, not expansion

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy sent a letter to the Federal Railraod Administration asking for its continued focus on repairing the Northeast Corridor (NEC) rather than working to realign or expand it.

LACMTA to evaluate proposal to turn Orange Line BRT to light rail

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has received an unsolicited proposal from Fluor Enterprises, Inc., to accelerate conversion of the Orange Line from bus rapid transit to light rail through a public-private partnership.

Harrison named CSX head; Ward to become consultant

CSX said March 6 that E. Hunter Harrison has been named CEO of the Class 1. Michael Ward, who was originally scheduled to retire from the top job at the end of May, will become a consultant to the railroad; both are effective immediately.

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