NRC selects Cosmo Lawrence Laurello for Hall of Fame

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Hall of Fame Selection Committee unanimously selected Cosmo Lawrence Laurello, known as Larry, Sr., as this year’s only entrant into the NRC Hall of Fame, who will be honored at the 2016 NRC Conference in San Diego, Calif.

NRC awards 2015 Field Employee and Rail Construction Project of the Year

National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) selected the winners of its 2015 Field Employee of the Year and Project of the Year awards, which will be recognized at the 2016 NRC Conference in San Diego, Calif.

RTD nears completion of 64th Avenue grade separation

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver is nearing completion of its 64th Avenue Bridge between Pecos Street and Federal Boulevard. The bridge replaces a portion of the existing 64th Avenue roadway and an at-grade railroad crossing with a grade-separated crossing.

Gross & Janes appoints three to executive, senior management positions

Gross & Janes Co. has named Scott McBride vice president of procurement, appointed Bill Behan to vice president of plant operations and promoted Heather Bridges to controller.

SLSI names Executive Director; selects Advisory Board, Board of Directors

 The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has selected Ron Hynes as Executive Director to “advance its mission of providing the leadership to enhance the safety culture and safety conformance of short line and regional railroads,” the organization announced on Dec. 14, 2015.

Hanson receives FAA exemption for drone flights

Hanson Professional Services Inc. has received an exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration that allows unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operation.

Metro-North hires chief safety officer

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad named Justin Vonashek as the agency’s new vice president of system safety, where he will oversee all efforts to ensure the safety of its customers and employees as it continues to improve work practices and invest in new technology and equipment.

House passes S. 808; next stop: the President

The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10, 2015 passed S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015, which among other provisions, will increase the number of STB members from three to five, improving STB’s structure and decision-making processes by allowing, with proper disclosure, board members to speak with one another about cases on which the STB is ruling.

PANYNJ agrees to work with partners on Trans-Hudson tunnel project

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners agreed to partner with the federal government in the development of the vital Gateway Tunnel Project by creating a development corporation to oversee construction of the massive passenger rail project and meet the future needs of hundreds of thousands of riders.

MBTA to cancel Green Line contracts, eyes restructuring project management team

Following a joint meeting of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB), MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola notified several firms working on the Green Line Extension project that the MBTA is acting to end their current contracts.

MetCouncil sends updated Blue Line Extension Project to municipalities for consent

The Metropolitan Council (MetCouncil) has approved an updated project scope and $1.496-billion cost estimate for the planned METRO Blue Line Extension LRT Project. The project, which now includes 11 stations, was recommended for approval at November’s Corridor Management Committee meeting.

Atlanta approves long-range streetcar plan

On December 8, 2015, the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) received approval from the Atlanta City Council on the Atlanta BeltLine/Atlanta Streetcar System Plan (SSP).

NRC names two to board; announces safety award winners

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC), elected two new members to its board of directors and released the winners of the 2015 NRC/RT&S Contractor and Safety Awards.

Arizona Corporation Commission green lights grade separation project

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved an upgrade to a public railroad crossing at U.S. 60 and Bell in Surprise, Ariz. The application approves BNSF to remove the existing at-grade crossing and the construction of a new grade-separated crossing.

Minnesota state lawmakers tour proposed grade-separation site in need of funding

Members of Minnesota’s State Senate Capital Investment Committee joined leaders from Anoka County and the city of Coon Rapids to hear more about the need for a railroad overpass at Hanson Blvd. during a recent statewide bonding tour.

NCDOT, UNC Charlotte looking into railroad education offerings

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division is collaborating with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) on a rail workforce assessment study.

SEPTA prepares for old man winter

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has new tools at its disposal for the upcoming winter weather, such as high-velocity snow blowers and brining equipment, aimed at combating snowy and icy conditions. SEPTA says this equipment will play a key role in its efforts to minimize disruptions to customers resulting from winter weather events.

DRPT appoints new chief of rail transportation

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has named Peter Burrus chief of rail transportation, a newly created position.

CP sweetens deals; NS says “no” again

Canadian Pacific’s pursuit of Norfolk Southern has taken on the tone of a rough-and-tumble yet well-intentioned star athlete pulling out all the stops to capture the heart of his dream woman, a relationship-shy political science major who continues to resist her suitor’s advances with perfectly logical yet unemotional reasons why the two aren’t right for each other.

MTA reaches two milestones on East Side Access

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) says it has reached substantial completion of two contracts on East Side Access, the megaproject that will bring Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service to Grand Central Terminal.

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