Transport Canada’s new funds for crossings; CN’s public outreach rollout kick off Canada Rail Safety Week

Prime Minister Stephen Harper government today launched Rail Safety Week with new funding to improve railway crossings.

CTA taps TIFIA loan for 95th Street Bus and Rail Project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has received a $79 million U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for the 95th Street Bus and Rail project.

Guideway segment production for Honolulu transit in full swing

Production is underway at a Kalaeloa casting yard, where more than 80 Kiewit employees are busy building the concrete guideway segments that will sit on top of the columns to form the elevated guideway for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) rail system.

LACMTA awards Regional Connector and Union Station rail improvement contracts

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors approved a $927.2-million contract to Regional Connector Constructors, a joint venture between Skanska USA Civil West California District, Inc., and Traylor Brothers Inc. to design and build the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project.

Conceptual engineering and environmental reviews contract awarded for next phase of Gold Line Foothill Extension

The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Board of Directors unanimously voted to award a $2.5-million contract to AECOM for the next phase of work for the Azusa to Montclair project. The contract will allow AECOM to support the Foothill Gold Line develop the advanced conceptual engineering for the project, as well as any necessary environmental reviews.

Atlas Railroad Construction reorganizes, relocates, expands to new markets

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) Atlas Railroad Construction subsidiary is reorganizing under a region-based commercial and operating structure to facilitate expansion into the U.S. Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. As part of the reorganization, Atlas is relocating its headquarters from Bridgeville, Pa., to Jacksonville, Fla.

SMART, BLET seek two-person crew laws

As part of an ongoing effort to secure a law mandating a minimum of two crew members in the cab of all locomotives, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART) have provided their state legislative boards with model legislation to secure minimum crew size laws on the state level.

WMATA, MWAA agreement moves Silver Line toward summer opening

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) have entered into an agreement that will move the Silver Line closer to an earlier opening day.

SEPTA unveils improvement projects For Delaware County

Several long-needed Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rail infrastructure improvements in Delaware County will move forward this year thanks to newly available transportation funding from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

RailWorks appoints new leader of U.S. track operations

RailWorks Corporation has named John Young executive vice president with responsibility for the company’s U.S. track operations.

Watco appoints three to new positions

Watco Transportation Services (WTS) appointed Jason Cathey to safety director. He will be responsible for managing the Safety Department Training and QA programs, assisting with incident reporting and statistics record keeping and leading WTS safety initiatives supporting safe work practices among WTS locations.

FEIS issued for Fresno to Bakersfield high-speed train

A Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIR/EIS) for the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) Fresno to Bakersfield section of the project is now available.

Three named to top Metro-North operations posts; substation upgrade begins

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North Railroad has named three to top leadership positions.

Protran Technology receives TRB grant to develop rail break/buckle warning technology

Protran Technology has been awarded a grant by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to develop and test the Intelligence Rail Integrity System (IRIS) to give advance warning of rail buckling and breaks,

TriMet unveils name of Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge: Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People

The TriMet Bridge Naming Committee unanimously selected “Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People” for the name for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Bridge, which will be the first cable-stayed bridge for the region, extending 1,720 feet over the river.

LACMTA staff recommends design-build contractor for Regional Connector

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) staff has recommended a $927.2-million design/build contract be awarded to Regional Connector Constructors (a Joint Venture between Skanska USA Civil West California District, Inc., and Traylor Bros. Inc.) to build the Regional Connector project.

Canadian government’s subsidy to CN for Algoma Central Railway operation extended a year

The government of Canada will extend its CA$2.2-million (US$2-million) federal subsidy to Canadian National for the operation of the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario, until March 31, 2015.

Ontario commits transit funds to keep “Moving Ontario Forward”

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government is planning to build a seamless and integrated transportation network across the Canadian province with its “Moving Ontario Forward” plan, which will create jobs, boost productivity and help Ontario grow and prosper.

SEPTA to hold FY 15 budget hearings for residents

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will hold the first of a series of hearings on the Fiscal Year 2015 Operating Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan on April 16, in Doylestown. The hearings will provide riders and other residents an opportunity to ask questions and submit comments on the spending plan.

Military Times EDGE names UP Best for Vets Employer in 2014

Military Times EDGE named Union Pacific among the Best for Vets 2014 Employers. Union Pacific’s number five ranking marks the fourth consecutive year the railroad has been in the top 10.

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