GCRTA opens Cedar-University Rapid Station

Officials from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined local Cleveland officials, as well as representatives from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority on Aug. 28 for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Cleveland’s Cedar-University Rapid Station.

Maryland DOT terminates agreement, pulls funding of CSX Morrell Park facility

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) said on Aug. 28 that it has terminated its agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc., and CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc., (CSX) to attempt location of the Baltimore Rail Intermodal Facility at Morrell Park and has pulled all state funding from the project.

MTA’s Blue Ribbon Panel makes final recommendations

A Blue Ribbon Panel of transportation experts studying safety and maintenance practices at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) three railroad operations – Metro-North Railroad, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and New York City Transit (NYCT) – has released its final recommendations for improvement, including creating better data systems to monitor track conditions, adjusting schedules to provide more time for track work and bolstering the safety culture at Metro-North.

R.J. Corman acquires Roadway Working Training

R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC (RJC), has acquired Roadway Worker Training, Inc. (RWT), based in St. Augustine, Fla.

Rocla opens new crosstie manufacturing facility

Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. (RCTI), supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties, has opened a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in San Jose Iturbide, Mexico.

LACMTA released DEIS for proposed Eastside rail extension

A Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) on a proposed extension of the Gold Line light-rail system from East Los Angeles to either South El Monte or Whittier was released by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA).

KCS names Vecellio AVP production and standards

Kansas City Southern promoted Shawn Vecellio from director to assistant vice president production and standards for the engineering department.

Waterloo light-rail project breaks ground

The Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, celebrated the start of ION Stage 1 Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction August 21. The event took place at the future home of ION’s Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility on Dutton Drive.

ARG Transportation to operate central Washington rail line

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) selected ARG Transportation of Eugene, Ore., to operate the 26-mile rail line in central Washington, with a goal to restore rail service to a portion of Grant County, assisting farmers getting their products to market.

Feds close on $1.28 billion TIFIA loan to MWAA for Silver Line Phase Two

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) closed a $1.28-billion Transportation Infrastructure Financial Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for construction of Phase Two of the Metrorail Silver Line extension.

Hennepin County approves design for Southwest LRT

The Hennepin County Board completed its municipal approval process for preliminary design plans for the Southwest light-rail transit project, in voting to approve the portion of those plans serving the city of Minneapolis.

Transport Canada reaffirms safety commitment following TSB Lac-Mégantic report

Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt issued a statement in response to the release of the Transportation Safety Board’s (TSB) final report from its investigation into the July 6, 2013 train derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

Pacheco named GM of San Antonio Central Railroad

Watco Transportation Services promoted Jeffrey Pacheco to general manager for the San Antonio Central Railroad (SAC).

Watco names Williams VP marketing – Gulf Region

Watco Transportation Services named Ryan Williams vice president marketing – Gulf Region. In this role, Williams will be responsible for the overall performance of the Gulf and Southeast Regional marketing teams as it relates to cultivating growth and leading the expansion of the company’s existing commercial and customer relationships.

Koppers completes Osmose Wood Preservation and Railroad Services acquisition

Koppers Inc., has completed its acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.

Maryland allocates $100 million to state transit systems

In an effort to increase transit ridership, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is releasing nearly $100 million in grants for Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS).

All Aboard Florida plans Quiet Zone from Hallandale to West Palm Beach

All Aboard Florida and the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in coordination with the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, has secured funding for a continuous quiet zone between the city of Hallandale Beach and downtown West Palm Beach along the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC).

Illinois Railway votes in favor of BLET representation

Illinois Railway voted to make the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) the designated collective bargaining representative for its 21 train and engine service employees; the election results were certified by the National Mediation Board on August 7.

STB approves second phase of California HSR route; ARCADIS awarded PCM contract

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted authorization to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to construct a 114-mile segment of the planned 800-mile route between Fresno and Bakersfield, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.

Officials visit Ottawa’s Confederation Line tunnel to view progress

On August 11, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Royal Galipeau, member of Parliament (Ottawa–Orléans) and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson toured the Confederation Line light-rail transit tunnel to see progress that has been made since mining began in October 2013.

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