Union Pacific elects Lance Fritz chairman of the board; places executives in new roles

Union Pacific‘s board of directors elected Lance Fritz chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective October 1.

KCS opens new terminal in Texas

Kansas City Southern (KCS) celebrated the dedication of its new intermodal terminal in Wylie, Texas, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local public officials July 30. After 12 months of construction, the more than $64 million terminal opened for operations on July 13.

MassDOT appoints new leadership team

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) named Brian Shortsleeve chief administrator for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), working alongside the newly appointed Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) and named Jeff Gonneville, a 14-year veteran of the MBTA, chief operating officer.

Union Pacific to complete $10 million in Kansas track work by mid-August

Union Pacific will strengthen its Kansas’ infrastructure by investing more than $10 million in the rail line between near Delia and near Onaga. The project began July 24 and is scheduled to be completed in mid-August.

N.D. Public Service Commission, FRA sign agreement for state railroad safety program

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) signed an agreement with the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) to implement a state Railroad Safety Program.

Caltrain electrification project gets $20 million boost from Air District

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Board of Directors approved the allocation of $20 million dollars to help fund the electrification of the Caltrain corridor.

TransLink begins three SkyTrain station improvement projects

TransLink is in the beginning stages of upgrades to three SkyTrain stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, to improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security. Construction work began at Metrotown, Commercial-Broadway and New Westminster stations this spring.

NS joins Operation Lifesaver for safety tour across the Carolinas

Norfolk Southern brings its Whistle-Stop Safety Train to the Carolinas this week to remind motorists and pedestrians to be safe and alert when around railroad tracks and trains.

Two crossing projects receive Asia-Pacific Gateway infrastructure funds

Transport Canada has made an investment of approximately CA$16.5 million (US$12.6 million) for nine Asia-Pacific Gateway transportation infrastructure projects in British Columbia that support Asia-Pacific trade and boost the competitive advantages of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway, of which two are railroad crossing projects.

LIRR releases draft environmental assessment of Mid-Suffolk Yard-Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) made public a study that assesses the potential environmental impact of its proposed Mid-Suffolk Yard/Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project, which would enlarge the LIRR’s existing Ronkonkoma electric train yard just east of Ronkonkoma Station on land already owned by the MTA.

RTD Board approves Balfour Beatty contract for Southeast Rail Extension

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a $140-million, two-phased contract award to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension.

Georgia to build inland port to be served by CSX

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Murray County and CSX signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish the Appalachian Regional Port in Chatsworth. Its service area will include North Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and parts of Kentucky.

SacRT to open Blue Line extension in late August

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) plans to open the new Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) light-rail extension August 24. The transit district says the project is ahead of schedule and under budget.

Union Pacific safety outreach results in 11 percent improvement in public safety rate

Union Pacific says its persistent community safety outreach efforts are driving down incidents at grade crossings in communities across the company’s 23-state rail network.

FRA provides funds for Midwest, Southeast passenger rail planning

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is allocating $ 2,780,651 for multi-state passenger railroad planning in both the Southeast and Midwest regions.

MTA Chairman’s letter to NYC mayor urges increased capital support

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast sent a letter July 28 to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio asking for more capital support.

British Columbia commits funds toward future E&N rail line

The British Columbia government has affirmed its commitment to provide CA$7 million (US$5.4 million) to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) to support the future of the E&N rail line on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.

WMATA celebrates first year of Silver Line

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) celebrated the first year of Silver Line service from Largo Town Center to Wiehle-Reston East July 27.

Iowa Pacific Holdings using RailComm dispatch system on six US properties

Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) recently selected RailComm’s computer-aided dispatch system to operate six of its railroads located in U.S.

HNTB adds Thompson as principal tunnel engineer

HNTB Corporation hired Jimmy Thompson as principal tunnel engineer in its national tunnel practice out of its Oakland, Calif., office. Thompson has 30 years of experience in the design and construction of large infrastructure projects and specializes in tunnels and underground facilities.

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