Canadian Pacific names Erceg CFO

Canadian Pacific appointed Mark Erceg to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective May 18, 2015.

PANYNJ commits $40 million to plan AirTrain Newark replacement


The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) has committed $40 million to study construction of a new AirTrain system with enhanced capacity, better service and increased reliability.

Carolina Worrell joins Railway Age as managing editor

Carolina Worrell has joined Railway Age as Managing Editor, based at Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp.’s headquarters in New York City.

State auditor validates BART’s projections and reinvestment needs

A rigorous state audit validated Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) financial projection process and reaffirmed that BART is facing $9.6 billion in capital needs, potentially affecting the reliability of rail service if additional revenue isn’t secured. The audit reports BART has taken recent steps to improve its process for planning capital improvements and has already begun work to secure funding and identify potential future funds.

UP marks grade-crossing safety milestone

Union Pacific credits a focus on community safety outreach, operating processes and employee training resulting in a record first-quarter grade-crossing safety performance, demonstrating ongoing progress toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero incidents.

PATCO says Ben Franklin Bridge rehab progress is on schedule

According to the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) in New Jersey, the two-year, $103-million Ben Franklin Bridge Track Rehabilitation project is proceeding on-time and on-budget, with electrical, signaling and communication upgrades continuing on the south track of the bridge and in the tunnels in Philadelphia and Camden.

The T Board approves pre-construction services and rail vehicles contracts for TEX Rail

The Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) approved two contracts related to TEX Rail.

J. Reilly McCarren, 1956-2015

J. Reilly McCarren, one of the most accomplished and respected railroaders of the past 35 years, died April 26, 2015 at his Kenilworth, Ill., home after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

Ontario moves ahead with Finch West Light Rail Transit project

Ontario is moving ahead with the $1.2-billion Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, a priority transit investment in the city of Toronto that will bring much-needed rapid transit to communities along Finch Avenue West.

UP achieves record first-quarter employee safety rate

Union Pacific employees achieved record first-quarter safety performance with a reportable injury rate of 0.85, demonstrating ongoing progress toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero incidents.

MWAA: Silver Line costs increase due to design modification

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) says that design modifications made to enhance the safety and reliability of the Metrorail Silver Line, along with remaining work to finalize Phase 1 of the overall project, will add $76 million, or about 2.6 percent, to the previously announced Phase 1 cost. The new Phase 1 cost remains within the original federally approved Phase 1 budget.

CHSRA, Palmdale enter into station-area planning agreement

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Palmdale, Calif., have entered into a station-area funding agreement, allowing the city and CHSRA to initiate the planning process for the proposed high-speed rail station adjacent to the civic center and the Palmdale Transportation Center (PTC). This agreement allows both parties to study ways to promote economic development, encourage station area development and enhance multimodal connections between the station and the city.

New crossing funds; safety blitzes to draw focus on safety during Canada’s Rail Safety Week

As part of Rail Safety Week in Canada April 27 through May 3, Canadian National has launched its annual public awareness campaign stressing the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. In 2014, there were 58 trespasser accidents in Canada that caused 36 fatalities and 21 serious injuries.

RRIF loan to help Metro-North, LIRR install PTC

The Federal Railroad Administration has approved a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan of $967.1 million to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which will finance the installment of positive train control on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad (Metro North).

Met Council says delays have cost Southwest LRT project $341 million

Analysis released by the Metropolitan Council (Met Council) concludes that test results and project delays have increased the cost of the Southwest LRT Project to $1.994 billion – a $341-million increase.

Metrolinx moving forward with plans for Caledonia GO Station

Metrolinx is moving forward with plans to add a new GO station on the Barrie GO Line at Eglinton Avenue West to serve the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Bentley issues call for submissions to 2015 Be Inspired awards

Bentley Systems, Inc., issued its call for submissions to the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program; the deadline for entries is May 31, 2015.

Massachusetts Gov. Baker files MBTA reform bill

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed “An Act for a Reliable, Sustainable MBTA,” acting on many of the recommendations made by the special panel that reported their findings earlier this month.

CSX name Oglesby resident VP of state government affairs for three northeast states

CSX appointed Rodney Oglesby to resident vice president of state government affairs for Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City.

NCDOT selects operator for Piedmont & Northern

After a competitive solicitation for proposals to operate the state-owned Piedmont & Northern (P&N) railroad line between Gastonia and Mt. Holly, N.C., the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has selected Piedmont Railway, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, as the best candidate to operate the rail line.

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