Caltrain to use $21 million federal grant for PTC systems

Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.

Caltrain will use the grant to fund improvements to the PTC system that will enable operations south of San Jose on Union Pacific dispatch territory. The PTC solution Caltrain already has in progress is a Communications-Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS). The grants under this program will be used to install PTC technology, including back office systems and wayside, communications, and onboard hardware equipment associated with railroads’ PTC systems.

“PTC is vitally necessary given how many people ride Caltrain every day,” said Caltrain General Manager & CEO Jim Hartnett. “This funding will ensure that our riders will continue to get to their destinations safely and securely.”

Cleveland RTA breaks ground on new Campus Station

Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.

LA Metro approves $6.1B budget

The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the agency’s $6.1 billion budget for fiscal 2018.
The balanced budget increases spending by 1.4 percent over fiscal 2017.

GWI completes acquisition of Heart of Georgia Railroad

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., completed its acquisition of the shares of Atlantic Western Transportation, Inc., parent company of Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc. (HOG).

Union Pacific to invest $85 million in Illinois rail infrastructure

Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.

Amtrak speeds Penn Station infrastructure renewal with schedule changes

Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.

Twin Eagle to expand Permian Rail Park

Twin Eagle Sand Logistics, LLC (Twin Eagle), a subsidiary of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, outlined plans to expand the Permian Rail Park near Big Springs, Texas.

GE leads group in Nigeria rail bid

A consortium led by General Electric and including Transnet, South Africa, has been named preferred bidder by the government of Nigeria government for a concession to rehabilitate, finance and operate Nigerian Railways’ 2178-mile network.

Former UTU official Bruce Wigent passes away

Former United Transportation Union (UTU) Vice President Bruce Wigent passed away on May 25. He was 73 years old.

KCS adds four new members to its board of directors

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it will add four new directors to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The new directors bring the board to 12 members, of which 11 are independent.

G&W appoints President and CEO Hellmann as chairman

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., (G&W) announced that John C. Hellmann, president and CEO, was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors.

Port Everglades spending $437.5M to expand container capacity

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Port Everglades’ plans for a $437.5-million expansion to add new berths for larger cargo ships and install infrastructure for new Super Post-Panamax container cranes.

Librera heads MTA Staten Island Railway

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointed Sally Librera, to vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway (SIR).

GO Transit celebrates 50 years serving Ontario

GO Transit marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Ontario transit’s ability to make it easier for people to travel across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Watco celebrates new Alabama STAT Center

Watco Companies celebrated a new Safety Through Awareness and Training (STAT) Center with a ribbon cutting.

Amtrak Board designates Chicago Union Station Master Developer

Amtrak designated a team lead by Riverside Investment & Development Co. as the Master Developer for commercial elements of Chicago Union Station (CUS) and neighboring Amtrak-owned properties.

Union Pacific to invest $49 million in Missouri rail infrastructure

Union Pacific plans to invest $49 million into its Missouri infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.

Final RFP for MBTA Green Line project

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has asked for final proposals for the revived Green Line extension project from three design-build contractor teams shortlisted in February.

Tunnel expert Stone joins HNTB

Charles Stone will join HNTB as the company’s principal tunnel engineer.

KCS increases speeds after Louisiana track rehab

Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) will begin increasing track speed on June 4 from 25 to 49 miles per hour along a stretch of line in Louisiana.

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