RailWorks names Riddett president, CEO

Kevin Riddett has been appointed president and CEO of RailWorks Corporation effective Oct. 10.

Shell shelves rail unloading facility in Washington state

Shell has pulled plans to develop a crude-by-rail facility at its Puget Sound Refinery just two days after releasing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

Sec. Foxx tours federally funded Maine rail projects

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx joined Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for a tour of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and the Port of Portland on Oct. 3.

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund receives reauthorization

New Jersey officials announced an agreement on Sept. 30, reauthorizing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund at $2 billion a year for the next eight years.

Suppliers to Congress: STB shooting first, asking questions later

The industry groundswell attacking the Surface Transportation Board’s pending actions on forced access and commodity reregulation has grown to include the railway supply community, including the three principal trade associations (REMSA, RSI and RSSI) and numerous members, and the railway contracting community, led by the NRC.

Met Council approves Blue Line review

The Metropolitan Council (Met Council) approved the Blue Line Extension Light-Rail project’s final scope and budget and the project’s environmental reviews are now complete.

Proposed Great Lakes Basin Rail line files new preferred route

Great Lakes Basin Transportation, Inc. (GLBT), submitted a new route for the proposed rail project that is 21 miles shorter and avoids Boone County, Ill., where it faced strong opposition.

Quad-Cities passenger rail grant deadline extended

Federal funding to support the reintroduction of passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad Cities area has been preserved with an extension agreement.

Feds sign off on Metro Blue Line extension environmental review

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given its approval to the Metro Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit Project’s environmental review.

LACMTA wants to accelerate rail to West Hollywood

West Hollywood would see rail service become a reality through an accelerated schedule per a letter from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to the city.

Metra cuts 2017 operating budget

Metra, which serves the suburbs of the Chicagoland area, has reduced its 2017 operating budget by incorporating $5.3 million in savings and operating efficiencies.

GREX named single rail industry finalist for two R&D 100 awards

Georgetown Rail Equipment’s (GREX) Aurora Xi has been recognized as the only rail industry finalist for two R&D 100 Awards, which some call the “Oscars of invention.”

MTA reopens two stations following renewal efforts

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) reopened two stations—the Saratoga Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue 3 line stations—Sept. 19 as the projects draw closer to completion.

FTA grants $1 billion to SANDAG trolley extension

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) committed $1 billion toward the construction of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Blue Line Trolley extension.

Harbison joins Danella as business development manager for Western North America

Danella Rental Systems has welcomed Matthew Harbison to the company under the role of business development manager for the Western North America territory.

Wheeler Lumber hosts South Dakota congressional staff for tour, rail discussion

Wheeler Lumber, a National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member, received a visit from the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) for a tour of the company’s Whitewood, South Dakota, facility Sept. 8.

TranSystems hires Shaeffer as senior project manager

TranSystems Corp., an engineering and architecture solutions consulting firm, has hired Dana Shaeffer, PE, as its new senior project manager.

Gross & Janes awarded patent for crosstie pre-treatment

Gross & Janes Co. has received a United States Patent for a ‘two-step’ borate pre-treatment dipping process and related equipment the company developed to increase the life of wood railroad crossties.

HNTB adds rail expert Joseph Rago to team

Joseph Rago, PE, CEM, LEED, joined HNTB Corporation as senior project manager and associate vice president in the firm’s Northeast Division rail and transit practice. He is based in the firm’s Newark, New Jersey, office.

RRVW names Zink VP economic development

The Red River Valley & Western Railroad (RRVW) has appointed Daniel Zink to the newly-created post of vice president – economic development and community affairs of the 577-mile shortline railroad.

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