Haigh to leave Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh decided to conclude her service as chair in order to focus her energies on her full-time position as president and chief executive officer of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Haigh notified Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton of her decision and agreed to remain in her current position until a successor is named.

Central Maine & Quebec Railway names new CFO

Central Maine & Quebec Railway appointed Harold Tynes as chief financial officer, effective November 10, succeeding Sachi Mishra.

Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson propose rail line transaction

Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson Railway (D&H), a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, have proposed a transaction under which NS would acquire 282.55 miles of D&H rail line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y. The $217-million is subject to the approval by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Amtrak asks STB to investigate NS, CSX on freight interference between Chicago and Washington, D.C.

In a complaint filed on Nov. 17, Amtrak is asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate Norfolk Southern and CSX for causing delays for passengers traveling between Chicago and Washington, D.C., on the Capitol Limited service.

UP to improve Illinois line between West Chicago and Franklin Grove

Union Pacific will strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure by investing $12 million in the rail line between West Chicago and Franklin Grove. The project began October 1 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.

Alaska Railroad honors Jack Burton for 50 years of service

Railroad Track Repairer and Board Member Jack Burton recently passed the half-century mark as an employee of the Alaska Railroad (ARRC) and was recognized for his tenure with a salute during the ARRC Board of Directors meeting November 13. Burton joined ARRC as a track laborer in April 1964.

Metra readies for winter

As the temperature drops, Chicago-area Metra has taken a variety of steps this year to be better equipped to deal with cold and snowy weather and better prepared to deliver critical information to its passengers.

J.L. Patterson; Hatch Mott MacDonald take home “Be Inspired” awards

Two North American companies won top honors for Bentley System, Inc.’s Be Inspired Awards, part of Bentley’s annual Year in Infrastructure Conference, held in London, U.K., Nov. 4-6. Bentley provides software solutions to engineers, architects and constructors for sustaining intelligent infrastructure. The awards recognize users’ efforts to improve the world’s infrastructure.

All Aboard Florida begins West Palm Beach Station construction

November 12 marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida’s downtown West Palm Beach station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the approximately 60,000-sq.-ft. station and platform can begin.

Construction begins for Amtrak service to Roanoke

The commonwealth of Virginia, Amtrak, Norfolk Southern and the city of Roanoke are beginning the first phase of construction for the platform that will serve intercity passenger rail service to the Star City. It has been 34 years since intercity passenger rail service has served Roanoke.

RTD sets year-end goals for trio of Eagle P3 Project rail lines

The East, Gold and the Northwest Rail Westminster Segment of the Regional Transportation District of Denver’s (RTD) Eagle P3 project are in full construction and preparing for the testing and commissioning phase that will start in late spring of 2015.

CTA makes veteran hiring a priority

In recognition of the Veterans Day holiday Nov 11, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) said that it continues to make military veteran hiring a strong priority across the agency, increasing the number of U.S. military veterans now working for the CTA to 358, as part of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool-led initiatives to create hiring preferences to provide employment opportunities to veterans.

MBTA’s South Station renamed Governor Michael S. Dukakis South Station Transportation Center

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has rededicated the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) South Station as “Governor Michael S. Dukakis South Station Transportation Center” in recognition of the former Governor’s devotion to public transportation and advocacy.

RailComm installs four Domain Operations Controllers in New Zealand, Oregon and California

RailComm has been chosen to install and provide control to multiple switches throughout the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) terminal.

Crews work to tie in two phases of Expo Line electrical and communication systems

After more than two years of construction, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Expo Phase 2 reached a significant milestone as crews tied together the electrical components of Phase 2 of the line with Phase 1 at the Culver City station on Nov. 8 and 9.

Metrolinx plans modernization of Union Station Rail Corridor signaling system

Metrolinx in Toronto, Canada, will upgrade and modernize the entire signaling system within the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) starting next year, an improvement that will provide long-term benefits to both transit operations and customers.

FRA issues final rule for the Minimum Training Standards for Safety-Related Railroad Employees

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule that strengthens training requirements for railroad employees and contractors who perform safety-related work.

Tower 55 reopens following $100-million retrofit

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo joined Congresswoman Kay Granger in celebrating the re-opening of Tower 55, a 141-year-old railroad interlocking on Nov. 7. The newly-rebuilt interlocking will improve safety while relieving rail congestion following a multi-million dollar overhaul.

LACMTA breaks ground on Purple Line Extension

Leaders of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) joined federal, state and local elected officials in the Mid-Wilshire District of Los Angeles Nov. 7 to break ground on the Purple Line Extension Project.

BART to OAK service to open in time for Thanksgiving travel

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) new train to plane service, “BART to OAK,” which provides an easy connection to Oakland International Airport, will open in time for Thanksgiving travel on November 22, 2014.

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