LEJAK and Associates Inc. acquires Alpha products

Alpha Products, Inc., a metal fabrication and stamping company based in Bedford Park, Ill., has completed its sale to a new ownership group led by John Marks of LEJAK & Associates.

IntegriCo producing ties for five Class 1s; plans to open second facility in 2015

IntegriCo Composites, manufacturer of recycled plastic crossties, is now producing its product for five Class 1 railroads in North America.

LACMTA CEO to step down

Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Art Leahy’s last day of service will be April 5, 2015, when his current contract expires. Leahy, who started his transportation career as a bus operator and became one of the nation’s leading transit officials, has headed LACMTA for six years.

GWI completes acquisition of Pinsly Arkansas Railroads

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. has completed the acquisition of Pinsly Railroad Company’s Arkansas Division for approximately $40 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital.

Amtrak launches new website geared toward NEC infrastructure

 

A new Amtrak website aims to raise awareness about Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure needs and build support for capital investment in projects crucial to support economic growth in the region and meet a growing demand for passenger rail service.

Holland promotes two; Madderom retires

Holland LP promoted Gerry Coyne to general manager RMSS and Russ Gehl to vice president maintenance of way sales.

NTSB issues safety alert regarding LED and incandescent signal visibility

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a Safety Alert that focuses on the visibility of railroad signals.

New York gets federal approval for new Portageville Bridge

New York state has received federal approval for the plan to build a new arch bridge to replace the historic Portageville Bridge carrying the Norfolk Southern’s Southern Tier Line over the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park.

Washington state approves funds to upgrade 59 crossings in five counties

Washington state regulators approved funding for safety upgrades at 59 railroad crossings in Spokane, Whitman, Grant, Adams and King counties.

Sioux Falls rail yard project completes land appraisal

An important step has been completed in the rail yard redevelopment project in downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.

TTC accelerates operator review

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chief Executive Officer Andy Byford has directed his chief safety officer and chief service officer to conduct a comprehensive review of all bus and streetcar operator recruitment, training, recertification and monitoring programs.

CTA Damen Station reopens

The Chicago Transportation Authority reopened the newly renovated and modernized Damen Blue Line station December 22. 

Watco names SVP finance

Watco Transportation Services named Joe King senior vice president of finance. King will lead the teams of finance, accounting, revenue accounting and the SAP Team.

CHSRA reaches settlement with Bakersfield; plans for groundbreaking ceremony

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has reached a settlement agreement with the city of Bakersfield, Calif., which will result in the dismissal of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation over the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Fresno to Bakersfield project section of the high-speed rail program.

CP’s Hunter Harrison is 2015 Railroader of the Year

Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific E. Hunter Harrison has been named 2015 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age.

President Obama signs legislation extending shortline tax credit extension and enacting omnibus spending bill

President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.

HART reveals cost containment strategy; opens bids for first package of station contracts

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is taking several steps to reduce costs and explore new revenue sources in an effort to address what it sees as financial challenges ahead.

HDR selected for D.C. to Richmond HSR environmental impact statement

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has selected HDR to provide a Tier II Environmental Impact Statement for proposed high-speed rail to improve passenger rail service and alleviate congestion between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va.

Sound Transit Board approves 2015 budget

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2015 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, anticipates carrying more than 32 million riders and prepares for a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

Meeting held to discuss Connell Rail Interchange

Approximately 30 people attended a meeting December 15 in Moses Lake, Wash., to discuss the Connell Rail Interchange, a key rail interchange in Eastern Washington where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF’s Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs between Spokane and Pasco, Wash.

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