DRPT appoints new chief of rail transportation
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has named Peter Burrus chief of rail transportation, a newly created position.
CP sweetens deals; NS says “no” again
Canadian Pacific’s pursuit of Norfolk Southern has taken on the tone of a rough-and-tumble yet well-intentioned star athlete pulling out all the stops to capture the heart of his dream woman, a relationship-shy political science major who continues to resist her suitor’s advances with perfectly logical yet unemotional reasons why the two aren’t right for each other.
MTA reaches two milestones on East Side Access
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) says it has reached substantial completion of two contracts on East Side Access, the megaproject that will bring Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service to Grand Central Terminal.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger tours new Colo Railroad Builders facility
On Dec. 4, 2015, U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member Colo Railroad Builders for a tour of its new facility in Minooka, Ill.
Jacobs Engineering acquires J.L. Patterson
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed its acquisition of J.L. Patterson & Associates (JLP), headquartered in Orange, Calif.
National search underway for WMATA’s new chief safety officer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has initiated a national search for a new chief safety officer (CSO), who will report to the general manager/chief executive officer and provide strategic leadership to ensure the day-to-day safety of the system, its employees and customers.
CSX breaks ground on Pittsburgh intermodal terminal
CSX joined Allegheny County officials, local and state partners and members of the Stowe Township and McKees Rocks communities in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 4, to formally celebrate the construction of the Pittsburgh Intermodal Rail Terminal.
Connecticut, Amtrak reach funding, timeline agreement on Hartford Line
The state of Connecticut and Amtrak reached an agreement to complete Hartford Line that contains guaranteed cost ceilings and a clear timetable for work.
HART completes five miles of guideway
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) ¬completed five miles of guideway for Oahu’s rail transit system, which accounts for 25 percent of the project’s elevated guideway work for the 20-mile system.
Operation Lifesaver awards grants for rail transit safety
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), awarded $148,500 in grants to eight rail transit agencies in seven states for public awareness and safety education projects.
NS to CP: Proposed merger “a poor combination”
Refuting practically every purported benefit that Canadian Pacific has given, and citing substantial regulatory risks and uncertainties as well as many other negatives, Norfolk Southern on Dec. 4, 2015 loudly and firmly rejected CP’s proposal to merge the two railroads into a transcontinental.
Analysis details benefits of SEPTA’s proposed King of Prussia extension
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transpiration Authority’s (SEPTA) proposed extension of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia (KOP) will result in the addition of 17,000–29,000 new employees in King of Prussia over 20 years, according to new analysis released by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and Econsult Solutions, Inc.
Valley Metro places CEO on administrative leave; accepts resignation
Valley Metro has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Stephen Banta and placed him on administrative leave, effective immediately.
TSB makes five recommendations in OC Transpo bus, VIA Rail report
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) investigation into the September 2013 collision between an OC Transpo bus and a VIA Rail train in Ottawa, Ontario, identified numerous contributory factors including company practices, work-related driving distractions, speed, the configuration of the Transitway and bus crashworthiness.
Valley Metro’s South Central light-rail extension takes a step forward
Valley Metro’s South Central light-rail extension in Phoenix, Ariz., has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) into the Project Development phase of the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. This marks the first step in receiving federal project approval under the CIG program and, ultimately, eligibility for federal construction funds.
FAST Act on the fast track to approval
Congressional conferees on Dec. 1, 2015 reached an agreement on the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill and the first long-term bill of its kind in a decade. It comes after years of predeccesor-bill extensions and partisan bickering.
Apache Railway sold
The 98-year-old Apache Railway Company, a shortline railroad operating in Navajo County, Ariz., has been purchased by an entity formed by Aztec Land and Cattle Company Limited and related entities.
Applications for ConnectOregon funds top $90 million
The Oregon Department of Transportation has received 78 applications requesting a total of $91,551,136 for the next round of ConnectOregon funding.
PANYNJ budget released
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released its proposed $3-billion Operating Budget that funds critical planning for future growth. The agency also posted a $3.5-billion Capital Budget that funds critical state-of-good-repair to existing transportation facilities and new infrastructure that is needed to sustain and accelerate growth and enhance the overall customer experience.
Texas Central expands leadership team, hires three executives
Texas Central Partners, LLC, developers of a high-speed rail project between North Texas and Houston, has expanded its executive ranks, adding Holly Reed, Doug Jones and Lori Willox to its leadership team.