Metro Transit to open Green Line June 14

Metro Transit will begin service on the Twin Cities’ Green Line light rail on June 14, 2014. The new light rail between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., is opening nearly six months earlier than required by the Federal Transit Administration, which is funding half the $957-million project, which is on budget.

BART to begin testing Oakland Airport Connector

Test vehicles will soon be traveling on the Oakland Airport Connector (OAC) tracks above Hegenberger Road in Oakland, Calif., as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) project moves into one of the final phases before the anticipated opening for service this fall. The first of the new test vehicles was unveiled recently at the OAC wheelhouse.

Koppers completes acquisition of Canadian crosstie treating business

Koppers Inc., has completed the purchase of the crosstie treating business and related manufacturing facility of Tolko Industries Ltd., located in Ashcroft, BC, Canada.

CTA to benefit from funding of Core Capacity Program

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) said that as the only transit system currently accepted into the Federal Transit Administration’s Core Capacity Program, the Chicago Transit Authority is poised to benefit from the infusion of funding included in the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill,

Federal spending bill includes $250 million for Honolulu’s rail project

According to Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) officials, the $1.1-trillion federal spending bill that President Obama signed late last week will provide $250 million for the Honolulu transit-rail project.

CSX names regional VP, state government affairs for Virginia

CSX appointed Bryan Rhode to regional vice president, state government affairs in Virginia.

NTSB releases 2014 Most Wanted List

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its 2014 Most Wanted List, the top 10 advocacy and awareness priorities for the agency for 2014, which for the first time includes improving operational safety in rail mass transit.

USDOT issues final rule to streamline environmental reviews for transit, highway projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) implemented a final rule it says will significantly cut red tape, while achieving better environmental outcomes, for certain transit and highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and spur them towards completion more quickly than in years past.

House T&I special panel to look at public-private partnerships

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Nick Rahall, II (D-WV), have established the committee’s next special panel, which will focus on the use of and opportunities for public-private partnerships (P3s) across all modes of transportation, economic development, public buildings, water and maritime infrastructure and equipment.

CP’s E. Hunter Harrison named Morningstar 2013 CEO of the Year

Morningstar, Inc., named E. Hunter Harrison of Canadian Pacific its 2013 CEO of the Year. Morningstar annually recognizes a chief executive who exhibits exemplary corporate stewardship, demonstrates independent thinking, creates lasting value for shareholders and has put his or her stamp on an industry.

Cutting out the extra brush

The latest brush-cutting technologies and herbicide treatment applictions help to keep unwanted vegetation at bay.

 

When winter comes calling

CN learns from past experience and develops a thorough plan to tackle snow and ice before they become a problem.

FRA will receive $185 million to hire rail inspectors

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will receive $185 million to hire an additional 45 railroad inspectors as part of the omnibus spending bill now before Congress.

NYCT restores service following water main break

An early morning water main break at 13 St. and 5 Ave. in Greenwich village in New York flooded subway tunnels servicing the A, B, C, D, F and M lines with thousands of gallons of water causing service disruptions into the morning peak period affecting tens of thousands of subway riders.

NTSB preliminary report suggests speed was culprit of Metro-North crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its preliminary report regarding the Dec. 1, 2013, derailment of a Metro-North passenger train in The Bronx, N.Y.

Railroads subcommittee to examine challenges facing California HSR project

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R-CA) will hold a hearing January 15 to examine challenges facing the California High Speed Rail project.

In Memoriam: John Hunsberger

John C. Hunsberger, II, manager of sales at Pandrol USA, died Jan. 10, 2014, following “a lengthy illness bravely fought.”

Boardman pushes for comprehensive surface transportation program

The guiding principle of a new federal surface transportation investment program must focus on national priorities, connectivity and economic growth, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said during a speech January 10 at the National Press Club.

Rep. Adam Smith introduces freight infrastructure bill

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA-9) has reintroduced the Freight Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2014 (FIRA), a bill he says will support improvements to infrastructure and transportation in the national freight mobility network.

CSX and customers developed 121 new or expanded facilities in 2013

In 2013, CSX and its customers worked together to develop 121 new or expanded facilities on the CSX rail network or its connecting shortline partners. These facilities represent $3 billion in customer investments and more than 1,600 new job opportunities at those facilities.

LOAD MORE