Contract awarded to replace four South Coast Rail bridges

Cardi Corporation has been awarded a $42-million contract for the replacement of four bridges in New Bedford and Fall River along the future South Coast Rail Line in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) said the improvements will advance South Coast Rail, while providing immediate benefit to the active freight operations in the region.

Canada Line celebrates 200 millionth passenger

Just five years into service, the Canada Line in Vancouver, B.C., was recognized for its 200 millionth passenger November 1.

V3 Companies hires new director of railroad services

Ted Niemeyer, P.E., has joined V3 Companies as its director of railroad services, heading up its Railroad Engineering Practice.

NTSB issues report on organizational factors in Metro North accidents

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a special investigation report on common organizational factors in five Metro North Railroad accidents between May 2013 and March 2014.

Watco names two to safety leadership positions

Watco Transportation Services has promoted Ron Martin to vice president of transportation safety and training and Michael Smith to director of engineering safety and training.

Sound Transit launches second Northgate Link tunnel boring machine

The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) mining Sound Transit light-rail tunnels from the Northgate neighborhood in Seattle, Wash., to the University of Washington launched November 20.

CANARAIL awarded contract to study feasibility of Quebec rail line

The province of Quebec awarded a contract to CANARAIL to perform a feasibility study of a new 310-kilometer (192-mile) long railway from Sept-Iles to the Labrador Trough.

HART receives $48.5 million in GET revenue for rail construction

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) received $48.5 million in General Excise and Use Tax (GET) surcharge revenue this past quarter for construction of the Honolulu rail project.

CTA approves 2015 balanced budget and 2015-2019 Capital Program

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board unanimously approved a balanced $1.44-billion budget for 2015 that freezes fares and improves transit service levels, while continuing historic investment in projects and programs to modernize regional transit and improve the customer transit experience.

Hamberger: healthy freight rail network vital to economy

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer, Edward Hamberger recently said that a strong and robust freight rail network is needed to meet the country’s transforming business challenges head on.

GWI acquires Arkansas shortlines

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) late Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 announced it “has signed an agreement with Pinsly Railroad Company of Westfield, Mass., to acquire certain subsidiaries that constitute Pinsly’s Arkansas Division (‘Pinsly Arkansas’) for $40 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital.”

Haigh to leave Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh decided to conclude her service as chair in order to focus her energies on her full-time position as president and chief executive officer of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Haigh notified Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton of her decision and agreed to remain in her current position until a successor is named.

Central Maine & Quebec Railway names new CFO

Central Maine & Quebec Railway appointed Harold Tynes as chief financial officer, effective November 10, succeeding Sachi Mishra.

Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson propose rail line transaction

Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson Railway (D&H), a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, have proposed a transaction under which NS would acquire 282.55 miles of D&H rail line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y. The $217-million is subject to the approval by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Amtrak asks STB to investigate NS, CSX on freight interference between Chicago and Washington, D.C.

In a complaint filed on Nov. 17, Amtrak is asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate Norfolk Southern and CSX for causing delays for passengers traveling between Chicago and Washington, D.C., on the Capitol Limited service.

Alaska Railroad honors Jack Burton for 50 years of service

Railroad Track Repairer and Board Member Jack Burton recently passed the half-century mark as an employee of the Alaska Railroad (ARRC) and was recognized for his tenure with a salute during the ARRC Board of Directors meeting November 13. Burton joined ARRC as a track laborer in April 1964.

Metra readies for winter

As the temperature drops, Chicago-area Metra has taken a variety of steps this year to be better equipped to deal with cold and snowy weather and better prepared to deliver critical information to its passengers.

All Aboard Florida begins West Palm Beach Station construction

November 12 marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida’s downtown West Palm Beach station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the approximately 60,000-sq.-ft. station and platform can begin.

Construction begins for Amtrak service to Roanoke

The commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and the city of Roanoke are beginning the first phase of construction for the platform that will serve intercity passenger rail service to the Star City. It has been 34 years since intercity passenger rail service has served Roanoke.

CTA makes veteran hiring a priority

In recognition of the Veterans Day holiday Nov 11, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) said that it continues to make military veteran hiring a strong priority across the agency, increasing the number of U.S. military veterans now working for the CTA to 358, as part of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool-led initiatives to create hiring preferences to provide employment opportunities to veterans.

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