Omnibus FY18: A little bit of good news for a lot of the rail industry

Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill on Thursday, March 22. The president signed the legislation (even though his Twitter activity suggested otherwise) to avoid a government shutdown, but noted his displeasure saying there were elements of the legislation he was not happy about.

NYC Transit plans flood resiliency project for April

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit has announced a flood protection project in the Rockaways intended to strengthen subway infrastructure and make it more resilient in the face of future storms.

 

European partnership looks to develop smart ties

Crossties capable of data collection will be the development focus of a new partnership between technology and consulting firm Indra and Greenrail, an Italian producer of eco-sustainable crossties.

Amtrak to rename Rochester station for Rep. Louise Slaughter

Amtrak will rename its Rochester Intermodal Station the “Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station in Rochester,” U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced this week.

 

LIRR lays out improvement plan

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) detailed a slate of nearly 60 actions it will take to improve the railroad’s performance through a new initiative called the LIRR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

Chicago to O’Hare RFP: Musk’s loop concept vs. traditional rail transit

Two teams have been chosen to compete for work to design, build, finance and operate Chicago’s O’Hare Express operating system.

 

TRC awarded contract with LACMTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected TRC Companies Inc., to provide services for the agency’s environmental program.

 

Union Pacific Louisiana network to receive $87 million investment

Union Pacific will spend an estimated $87 million on its Louisiana network this year to enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

CSX names Angela C. Williams vice president and corporate controller

CSX Corporation (CSX) has appointed Angela Williams as its new vice president and controller as successor to Andrew Glassman.

 

TransLink Mayors’ Council, British Columbia agree on regional funding transit expansion

The TransLink Mayors’ Council and the government of British Columbia have agreed on a plan to fund the CA$2.5 billion (US$1.91 billion) regional share of the Phase Two Plan for infrastructure.

DEIR released for LACMTA turnback facility

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been released for a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LACMTA) project that will speed the turnaround time Red and Purple line trains need at Union Station, which will allow more of these trains along the lines.

British Columbia to chip in for Pacific Northwest HSR study

Studying the potential of connecting Canada to the Pacific Northwest through ultra-high-speed rail service received a sign of support with the government of British Columbia agreeing to help fund analysis of such service.

APTA rails against public transit cuts in proposed budget

Public transit officials nationwide spoke out at a March 19 press briefing to express strong opposition to deep cuts to public transit in the Trump Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2019.

 

Ontario strikes multi-billion-dollar deal with Canada on infrastructure

The province of Ontario and the government of Canada have reached an agreement that will provide CA$11.8 billion (US$9.02 billion) toward infrastructure spending.

Virginia DRPT, CSX agreement to help progress Potomac Shores train station development

The final design of a new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train station is making progress, following the recently completed final contract amendment between the Virginia Department of Rail Public Transportation (DRPT) and CSX Transportation (CSX).

 

Union Pacific targets $85 million capital program for Wyoming

Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to invest $85 million in Wyoming’s transportation infrastructure in 2018.

 

Quebec’s RTM lays out investment plan to boost rail reliability

The Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM) in Quebec detailed a five-year plan to improve service reliability along all rail lines and includes investments in infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, maintenance, as well as an enhanced winter operation plan.

Union Pacific plans $103.6 million capital program in Illinois

Union Pacific (UP) has announced it will support $103.6 million in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure work this year.

 

Protran Technology adds Holmstrom as director of sales

Protran Technology, a division of Harsco Rail, has tapped Kyley Holmstrom to serve as the company’s director of sales.

 

Mott MacDonald-SNC Lavalin JV awarded Federal Way Link extension contract

Sound Transit has awarded South County Transit Partners, a joint venture of Mott MacDonald and SNC-Lavalin, a design-build contract for the project management of its Federal Way Link Extension in the Seattle area, SNC-Lavalin announced.

 

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