Parsons adds Abruzzo as rail bridge leader
Parsons has hired Joseph Abruzzo as its railroad bridge practice leader, where he will be responsible for directing the pursuit and execution of railroad bridge projects worldwide.
OFF Track Maintenance
Rail energy storage project receives lease from federal agency
The Advanced Rail Energy Storage, LLC (ARES), proposed commercial-scale gravity-based rail energy storage project (ARES Nevada) has been granted a right-of-way lease by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Tunnel initial winner of Calgary Green LRT evaluation
The Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project team has completed the first stage of evaluation for the project’s Centre City alignment in Calgary, AB, Canada.
The Wesbell Group completes acquisition of Advanced Tower Services
The Wesbell Group of Companies Inc., provider of services to the telecommunications industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wesbell Technologies Inc., has completed its acquisition of Advanced Tower Services.
USDOT receives unprecedented interest in UTC grant program
On March 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the availability of $377.5 million over the next five years for grants to support solution-oriented transportation research at colleges and universities under its University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program.
Pacific Harbor Line hosts FRA for tour
Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), a subsidiary railroad of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), hosted a tour for several guests, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Region 7 Regional Administrator James Jordan and Linda Darr, President of the American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
FTA updates Congress on WMATA Metrorail safety oversight
The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) provided an update to its safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) system during a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
FRA explains internal review that brought change to bridge safety program
Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Sarah Feinberg, took to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) website to explain the process the FRA has gone through to enhance safety of the nation’s rail bridges.
AECOM awarded Hurontario LRT technical advisory contract
AECOM has been selected to provide technical advisory services on the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario, Canada and the Hamilton LRT project in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for Metrolinx.
Port of New Orleans dedicates Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal
The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners joined a host of elected officials and industry partners April 12 to dedicate the port’s new $25-million Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal.
JAXPORT rail terminal begins receiving trains
The Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT) newly completed Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at Dames Point is being used in support of a high-level military training exercise this month in advance of its official opening to commercial container movements later this year.
AAR names environmental award recipients
The Association of American Railroads on April 12, 2016 presented Michael Hoey, a CSX Transportation civil engineer from Philadelphia, Pa., the 2016 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award. U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) was the 2016 John H. Chafee Congressional Environmental Award.
WMATA taps NYCT veteran as new chief safety officer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) appointed Patrick Lavin to the position of chief safety officer, effective May 9. Lavin comes to WMATA from New York City Transit (NYCT), where he is second in command of the agency’s Office of System Safety.
Sound Transit’s Lynwood Link moves into final design
Light-rail service to Snohomish County in Washington state is closer to reality as Sound Transit moves ahead with a final design contract for the 8.5-mile rail extension. The transit agency issued a formal notice to proceed on its $73.7-million final design contract with the HNTB Jacobs Trusted Design Partners joint venture.
Katzman joins HNTB as senior transit manager
Lori Katzman has joined HNTB Corporation as senior project manager and vice president in the firm’s rail transit group and will be based in HNTB’s New York City office.
CP quits NS bid
On Monday, April 11, 2016, Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. terminated its efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern Corp.. This includes “withdrawal of a resolution asking NS shareholders to vote in favor of good-faith negotiations between the two companies,” CP sais. “No further financial offers or overtures to meet with the NS board of directors are planned at this time.”
Watco acquires River Road Terminals
Watco Transloading has acquired River Road Terminals and has entered into a 10-year lease of the underlying 38 acres of real estate. At the end of the term of the lease, Watco has the option to take ownership of the real estate.
B&P Tunnel proposal revised following community input
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has revised the proposal to replace the Civil War-era Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel based on feedback provided to the FRA by Baltimore residents.
NJ Transit Board names Crosbie as executive director
In a unanimous vote, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors appointed William Crosbie as the new executive director, effective on or about April 25, 2016.
R.J. Corman begins eastern Carolinas service
Public officials and other community members joined R.J. Corman Railroad Group representatives in late March to celebrate the opening of its railroad service to the eastern regions of North and South Carolina.