DBi Services acquires Mercier’s
DBi Services, a global provider of infrastructure operations and maintenance, has acquired the assets of the Ohio-based company Mercier’s Inc., effective Nov. 29.
OFF Track Maintenance
Hoffrichter named executive director of Michigan State rail program
Dr. Andreas Hoffrichter has been named executive director of Michigan State University’s Railway Management Certificate Program. Hoffrichter succeeds Steve Ditmeyer who retired in December 2015.
Chao Trump’s DOT Secretary choice
President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.
Proposed Montréal REM project grows by three stations and CA$400M
The number of stations and the associated cost have grown for a proposed 41-mile light-rail system in Montréal, Québec.
NTSB unveils two-year Most Wanted List
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled its 2017-2018 Most Wanted List, implementing a new two-year cycle as opposed to the annual one previously used.
Metra approves 2017 budget with fare increase to pay for capital needs
The Metra Board of Directors approved the agency’s 2017 budget, which includes a fare increase that will fund needed capital requirements.
PANYNJ proposes $6 billion operating and capital budget for 2017
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has proposed a $6 billion 2017 operating and capital budget.
FEIS issued for Sound Transit extension to Federal Way
Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Federal Way Link light-rail extension, which would extend light rail south from Angle Lake in the city of SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center.
Siemens, Bentley Systems form alliance to push intelligent infrastructure
Siemens and Bentley Systems have formalized a strategic alliance agreement where the companies will invest €50 million (US$54.3 million) in developing joint solutions to enlarge their respective offerings for infrastructure and industry to the benefit of the end-customers.
Montreal rail project has five qualified bidders
A total of five consortia and companies have qualified to bid on two contracts from CDPQ Infra, subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, to build part of a proposed CA$5.5-billion (US$4.06-billion) light-rail project in Montreal.
Valley Metro names Smith to CEO post
Scott Smith, who has served as Valley Metro’s interim CEO since February 2016, will transition to a two-year term as the agency’s CEO.
CSX updates Q4 expectations
CSX has revised its expectations for fourth quarter performance to reflect a decrease in earnings per share, but says it remains committed to finding cost savings and efficiencies and invest in improvements to drive its long-term strategy.
Jim Hansen joins Herzog Railroad Services as CCO
Herzog Railroad Services, Inc. (HRSI), has named James Hansen chief commercial officer, where he will report directly to HRSI President Rob Crawford.
Former LACMTA exec joins Honolulu rail project on interim basis
The Board of Directors of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) selected Krishniah N. Murthy as the authority’s interim executive director and CEO.
Knox Kershaw hosts Rep. Mike Rogers for facility tour and rail discussion
Knox Kershaw, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-3) for a tour and discussion of rail and manufacturing issues at its long-held Montgomery, Ala., facility.
Providence and Worcester shareholders approve GWI acquisition
Shareholders of Providence and Worcester Railroad Company (P&W) voted to approve the proposed acquisition of PWRR by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI).
PennDOT holds groundbreaking event for Mount Joy station improvements
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S. Richards hosted a groundbreaking event Oct. 26 for improvements to the Mount Joy station on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor, the latest in a series of investments to improve service on the 104-mile line.
Greene joins HNTB West Division as transit practice group director
The West Division transit practice of HNTB Corporation has added Steven Greene as group director, planning and associate vice president.
Glenview pushes back on Amtrak Hiawatha service expansion Draft Environmental Assessment
A northern suburb of Chicago, Glenview, has rejected the findings of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to expand Amtrak’s Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago.
USDOT establishing advisory committee on transportation automation
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will establish an Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation (ACAT) to serve as a critical resource for the department in framing federal policy for the continued development and deployment of automated transportation.