Skanska names new head of communications and marketing
Skanska USA promoted Jessica Murray to head of communications and marketing for Skanska Infrastructure Development North America.
Track Maintenance
PUCO approves upgrades at three crossings
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved construction authorization at three grade crossings in Carroll, Coshocton and Cuyahoga counties.
Union Pearson Express wins Project of the Year
Union Pearson Express (a division of Metrolinx) in Toronto, ON, Canada, won Project of the Year at the Global AirRail Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.
USDOT receives 568 applications for latest TIGER Grants
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the strong demand for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants continues, as once again the number of applications has surpassed the available funding.
Reps. introduce Transit Parity Act
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the Transit Parity Act. The bipartisan bill would maintain tax credit parity for drivers and public transportation users.
MARTA adopts FY14 budget
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 operations and capital budgets, which will take effect on July 1.
Boardman: We are eating our assets alive
The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss of asset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuity of passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee June 7.
VTA board awards $16 million construction contract for Capitol Expressway Transit
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Board of Directors awarded the Granite Rock Company, doing-business-as Pavex Construction Division, a $16.8 million construction contract award for the continued improvements planned along Capitol Expressway and future VTA rapid transit and light
UP receives Rail Carrier of the Year Award
Union Pacific received the 2012 Rail Carrier of the Year Award from WWL Vehicle Services Americas. The award evaluates rail carriers on criteria such as transit and damage-free delivery performance. It is the third consecutive year Union Pacific won this award.
LIRR opens public info center at Port Washington Station
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) opened an information center at Port Washington Station to detail the benefits of the LIRR’s proposed track extensions at its Port Washington Train Yard.
Ritron delivers its NXDN radios to SEPTA
Ritron, Inc., has delivered an order for 350pcs of the Ritron NXDN digital locomotive radios to the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia, Pa.
Crouch names new VP
Crouch Engineering is expanding, starting with the creation of new departments and a restructuring of its management. The company named Richard Brann as vice president and general manager. Harvey Crouch, founder of Crouch Engineering, will continue his responsibilities as president and CEO, as well as manager of business development.
Analyzing rail grinding patterns
Rail grinding management is an important part of a railroad’s maintenance practices, with an end goal of giving rail the longest life-cycle possible.
Building the energy boom
Flexible infrastructure plans and strategic upgrades have allowed the Canadian railroads to take full advantage of the surge in energy- related traffic.
Annual report: grade-crossing surfaces
Suppliers help railroads maintain smooth surfaces at grade crossings to ensure safety for all.
Port of LA adopts FY 2013-14 budget, includes rail-related improvements
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has adopted a 2013-14 FY budget of approximately $1.1 billion for the Port of Los Angeles, supporting more than 8,500 jobs, and includes $111.2 million for rail-related projects.
CP appoints Prentice to board
Canadian Pacific appointed the Hon. Jim Prentice to the company’s board of directors.
Gov. O’Malley appoints new secretary of MDOT and new administrator of the MTA
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed James Smith, Jr., as secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Robert Smith as the administrator for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).
HART transit project Draft Supplemental EIS available to public
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are accepting public comments on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Evaluation for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
HART and FTA officials have prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS Evaluation for the Rail Project as required by a recent U.S. District Court ruling. The draft covers the re-evaluations of the Beretania Street Tunnel Alternative and Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park.
A public hearing will be held on July 9 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Comments will be accepted both orally and in writing at the hearing.
The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is a 20-mile elevated rail line that will connect West Oahu with downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana Center. The rail system includes 21 stations at key education, employment and retail destinations, including UH-West Oahu, Leeward and Honolulu community colleges, Honolulu International Airport, Downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and Ala Moana and Pearlridge shopping centers.
The first 10 miles of the rail system from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is expected to open in 2017, with the full 20-mile line opening in 2019.
CHSRA passes the reins to the SJRRC, appoints Henning to board
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors has voted to transfer full leadership and funding for rail planning in the Altamont Corridor to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC).