Gulf & Ohio Railways to operate Global Trans Park Rail Line in North Carolina

After a competitive solicitation for proposals to market and operate the state-owned Global Trans Park (GTP) railroad line in Lenoir County, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) selected Gulf & Ohio Railways, Inc. (G&O). The NCDOT Board of Transportation approved the new GTP Lease & Operating Agreement at its Nov. 5, 2015 meeting. Under the terms of the agreement, G&O will operate, maintain and market freight service on the GTP line.

Edmonton awards Valley Line LRT contract to TransEd Partners

The city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has selected TransEd Partners to design, build, operate, maintain and finance stage one of the Valley Line LRT following an 18-month procurement process.

Port Vancouver USA conducting thorough review of energy DEIS

The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a proposed crude oil transload facility at the Port Vancouver USA in Washington state.

VIA Rail acquires Brockville Sub in Ontario

VIA Rail Canada has acquired the Brockville Subdivision, consisting of 45 kilometers (28 miles) of single track between Smiths Falls and Brockville in Ontario.

Metra preps system for winter

Winter is Chicago can be quite brutal and to combat its annual battle against cold and snowy weather, Metra has installed covers and supercharged heaters to several of the most critical switches in its system and continues to repair and replace railcar doors that are prone to fail in winter conditions.

In memoriam: Gus Vorgias

Constantine Vorgias, 85, of St. John, Ind., and former employee of E.J. & E Railroad and ESCO, passed away at home on November 9, 2015.

Sound Transit selects Tacoma Link alignment; confirms Rogoff as CEO

The Sound Transit Board of Directors have selected the route, stations and expanded operation and maintenance facility for the Tacoma Link Expansion. When built, the 2.4-mile extension will serve riders traveling from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods.

Tempe Streetcar receives environmental clearance

The Tempe Streetcar has received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which indicates that the three-mile project will have no significant environmental effect on the neighboring communities.

OnTrackNorthAmerica partners with Lautala, Jin on transportation research

OnTrackNorthAmerica (OTNA), a non-profit action think tank, will partner with Dr. Pasi Lautala from Michigan Tech University and Dr. Mingzhou Jin, director of the Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Engineering lab at the University of Tennessee on better transportation planning and investment.

Hatch Mott MAcDonald to be split between Hatch and Mott MacDonald

The Hatch Mott MacDonald (HMM) joint venture between Hatch and Mott MacDonald will be separated and integrated into the parent companies by early 2016.

$1.29 million-plus made available through Iowa’s Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program

The Iowa Transportation Commission approved more than $1.29 million in funding for five rail infrastructure and related rail development projects under the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) Program.

PANYNJ expands CEO search; Foye backs out

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s  (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners has been conducting a search for the agency’s first CEO since New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorsed the December 2014 recommendation of the Special Panel on the Future of the Port Authority that the bi-state agency appoint a single chief executive officer selected by and accountable to the Board of Commissioners.

MBTA and Keolis beef up winter preparations

Purchasing new snow fighting equipment, creating dedicated snow response teams and centralizing passenger communications are among the actions being taken by Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to prepare the commuter rail system for winter in order to keep trains operating safely and to minimize impacts to passengers.

One year anniversary will mark one million rides on BART to OAK

November 21 marks one year of active service for the automated Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to OAK line between Oakland International Airport and Coliseum Station. Coincidentally, it is also expected to reach the one millionth passenger trip milestone at some point this weekend.

MTA presents final 2016 budget proposal

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) presented its 2016 Final Proposed Budget and its 2016-19 Financial Plan, in which the agency says “a relentless emphasis on cutting costs will allow the MTA to invest $242 million in new service, maintenance and operations initiatives over the next four years, while limiting fare and toll increases to the rate of inflation.”

Glassman named CSX VP-strategy

CSX Corporation appointed Drew Glassman as vice president-strategy. Glassman brings 25 years of experience in corporate finance to his new role, in which he will oversee company-wide initiatives that position CSX for success.

Former FTA Administrator Rogoff recommended as Sound Transit CEO

The Sound Transit CEO Search Committee has recommended Peter M. Rogoff, the federal government’s third-highest transportation official and former Federal Transit Administrator, as its top candidate to serve as Sound Transit’s new leader.

Baltimore Maglev project approved for passenger railroad franchise

Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR) and The Northeast Maglev (TNEM) say that the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved BWRR’s application to acquire a passenger railroad franchise previously held by the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railroad Company. The railroad franchise was abandoned in 1935.

NJDOT to perform work on trio of crossings

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) plans to work on three crossings in Salem, Atlantic and Ocean counties in November.

Sound Transit moving closer to finding new CEO

The CEO Search Committee of the Sound Transit Board has identified a candidate who it will interview in executive session on Nov. 18.

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