Senate staffer, SEPTA attorney to be nominated to STB
President Donald Trump intends to nominate two Republicans to fill open seats on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Track Maintenance
BNSF to invest $80 million in New Mexico during 2018
BNSF Railway has released details of its planned $80 million capital program in New Mexico this year.
Kelsey named GM of TriMet
The TriMet Board of Directors on Feb. 28 named Chief Operating Officer Doug Kelsey as the agency’s next general manager.
HNTB adds Hunter to rail and transit team
HNTB Corporation has brought on Edmond Hunter, CCM, as a senior transit and rail project manager.
BNSF eyes $110M Nebraska investment in 2018
BNSF Railway Company plans to invest $110 million in its Nebraska network, where it moves nearly 2 million carloads of freight annually.
Dewberry to serve as LIRR double track project lead designer
Dewberry will serve as the lead designer on a combination design-bid-build and design-build team for the L.K. Comstock & Company, Inc.’s $66 million installation of a second track for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
NRC makes $15k education grant available
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) is accepting applications through May 4, 2018, for a $15,000 grant to be awarded to a rail-focused educational institution.
NY state grant to help build rail siding
State Sen. James L. Seward, representatives from Hoober Feeds and officials from Schoharie County announced a $200,000 state grant Feb. 26 that will pay for improvements to the rail line in Central Bridge, the New York State Senate announced.
GO Transit hydrogen fuel cell train plan “technically feasible,” says study
Toronto and Hamilton transit authority Metrolinx has published the findings of its Hydrail Feasibility Study into the potential use of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) trains on the Go Transit commuter rail network.
LIRR to replace ties, crossings on Montauk Branch
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews will work from the end of February through mid-May to replace crossties and install grade crossings.
SCVTA issues Final SEIS/SEIR for second phase of BART extension
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have issued the final state and federal environmental document for SCVTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.
B-256 gets an extended life span
One of the oldest railroad bridges in Wisconsin, a more-than-century-old, 2,200-foot timber structure spanning the Wisconsin River at Spring Green on the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad’s (WSOR) Prairie Subdivision, has undergone a a major improvement project. WSOR, a Watco Cos.subsidiary, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) collaborated on the project.
Gates down; truck on tracks says NTSB of Amtrak Virginia accident
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says a refuse truck was on the grade crossing after gates were lowered when it was hit by Special Amtrak Train 923 in Crozet, Va.
New York state has $26.5 million available for rail and port grants
New York state has $26.5 million in funds available for rail and port projects as part of the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program.
TriMet names interim GM
The TriMet Board of Directors has named Shelley Devine, the transit agency’s current general counsel, as its new interim general manager.
BNSF to spend $260 million in Illinois, Oklahoma this year
BNSF plans to invest $260 million in its Illinois and Oklahoma network as part of its $3.3 billion 2018 capital plan.
HNTB names Pizzurro transit and rail practice leader for NY/NJ
HNTB has named Joseph Pizzurro, PE, as its new transit and rail practice leader.
NCRR, High Point partner on rail improvements
The North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) and the city of High Point, N.C., are tackling $5.1 million in improvements to the railroad corridor and drainage in the city’s downtown.
Unexpected rail wear is cause for Baltimore subway shutdown
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is explaining the reason behind its extended shutdown of its SubwayLink system for rail repair work.
BNSF to spend $375 million on Texas capital program
BNSF plans to spend more than 11 percent of its total capital program in Texas this year, with nearly half of the $375 million state plan going toward maintenance projects.