High-speed rail construction projects have frequently required long tunnels to reduce travel time and distance. With the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) considering a 16-mile long tunnel along the Palmdale to Burbank project section, the Mineta Transportation Institute looked into similar tunnels already constructed around the world.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a final rule that it says strengthens state safety oversight and enforcement authority to prevent and mitigate accidents and incidents on rail transit systems.
Chicago’s Metra will conduct Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 45 train stations across the six-county region in 2016 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the importance of safe behavior around its trains and tracks.
The San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Redlands Passenger Rail Project in Highland, Calif., is now in the Final Design Phase. The project is expected to drive and support the growth of the local economy while attracting and retaining businesses and employers.
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is accepting proposals for the Rail Safety IDEA Program, which supports the development and testing of innovative concepts and methods for improving railroad safety or performance. Rail Safety IDEA proposals are due Sept. 15, 2016.
Kansas City Southern has promoted Jeffrey Songer from senior vice president engineering and chief transportation officer to executive vice president and chief operating officer. In addition to his responsibilities for transportation and engineering, he is now also responsible for the mechanical function. Songer reports to KCS president Patrick Ottensmeyer.
Construction has begun on Keelesdale Station, the first of 25 stations to be built for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Ontario, Canada.
Rep. David Joyce (OH-14) joined representatives from Iron Horse Engineering, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) to tour Iron Horse’s manufacturing facility, learn about the burgeoning rail and manufacturing communities in Northeast Ohio and discuss public policy priorities for the industries.
Carlo Patrick will join Herzog Services, Inc., as vice president effective March 21, 2016.
The industry’s annual single day blitz of congressional officials brought more than 400 industry representatives to Washington, D.C., on March 3.
STV has promoted Eric Root, P.E., to vice president, where he will be responsible for managing the rail systems design component for the firm’s various design-build contracts across the U.S. and Canada.
Paul Wiedefeld, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) general manager/chief executive officer, addressed the National Press Club on Monday in his first public policy address since being appointed last November.
STV has promoted Norman Forde to vice president, who is now responsible for leading STV’s downtown Baltimore, Md., office.
Union Pacific employees set an all-time reportable personal injury rate record in 2015, improving 11 percent from 2014 to 0.87, making Union Pacific the safest Class 1 railroad in the United States, according to data reported by the Federal Railroad Administration.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun procuring key services necessary for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, which will extend the subway project to East Harlem in Manhattan.
Canadian Pacific Railway and the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada have agreed to terms for the sale by CP of the Arbutus Corridor to the city for CA$55 million (US$41.4 million).
Norfolk Southern is consolidating its three operating regions into two, effective March 15. The decision to further streamline railroad operations is part of the company’s ongoing execution of its five-year strategic plan.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected the current Acting Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Therese McMillan as its new chief planning officer.
HNTB Corporation promoted Jeff Konrad, PE, to vice president of rail in Pennsylvania District. The firm also expanded its team of transportation professionals within its New York and Pennsylvania offices.
CSX has appointed new engineering leaders following the announcement that John West, vice president-engineering, will retire on April 1 after 37 years of dedicated service to the railroad.