FTA gives environmental clearance to Valley Metro’s South Central LRT extension

Valley Metro may begin final design work on the planned South Central Light Rail Extension after securing a key federal approval.

USDOT announces formation of Federal Committee on Automation

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced the formation of an advisory committee focused on automation across several modes.

 

KCS subsidiary appoints Kurt Jacobs as VP transportation

Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced Jan. 9 that its subsidiary, KCSM Servicios S.A. de C.V. (KCSMS), has appointed Kurt Jacobs as vice president transportation. 

 

PANYNJ releases $32 billion 10-year capital plan

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) released its draft 10-year capital plan, which addresses $32 billion worth of projects in New York and New Jersey.

Minnesota governor proposes “make up” bonding bill with $91M for rail

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith introduced a bill that would spend $1.5 billion to build more than 240 projects across the state, including more than $91 million in rail projects.

USDOT commits $1.6B in grants, loans to second section of LACMTA Westside Purple Line extension

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced a commitment of approximately $1.6 billion to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to support the completion of the second phase of its Westside Purple Line Extension.

 

MTA awards L.K. Comstock Queens Boulevard Line signaling contract

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) awarded a $223.3-million contract to L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. to upgrade the Queens Boulevard Line signaling system and install communications-based train control (CBTC).

Reading & Northern increases track speed between Reading and Port Clinton, Penn.

Reading & Northern Railroad has increased the track speed of its Main Line between Reading, Penn., and Port Clinton to 40 mph.

Trogdon tapped to lead NCDOT

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Jan. 3 the appointment of Jim Trogdon to lead the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Trogdon is an engineer with decades of experience in state government and the military.

 

BNSF, J.B. Hunt request arbitration for intermodal agreement revenue division

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., and BNSF have both requested a panel of arbitrators review their Joint Service Agreement revenue division.

Union Pacific acquires Railex LLC assets

Union Pacific (UP) has announced its acquisition of Railex LLC, a refrigerated rail service and third-party logistics leader.

 

Martin Klepper to lead Build America Bureau

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced last week that Martin Klepper has been appointed to serve the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau as its executive director.

 

MTA’s Prendergast to retire “in early 2017”

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast will retire in early 2017 according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Draft SEIS/SEIR released for final six miles of BART Silicon Valley extension

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration have released a draft state and federal document addressing the final six miles of the SCVTA BART Silicon Valley extension’s second phase.

Ground breaking ceremony held for New Mexico rail park

Officials broke ground on a new rail park hailed as a potentially transformational project for central New Mexico.

Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws

Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.

Caterpillar names new CEO, makes executive appointments

Jim Umpleby will take the helm of Caterpillar Inc. Jan. 1, 2017 and three newly appointed executives will support him.

TriMet names rail expert as executive director of transportation

TriMet has hired Patrick Preusser as executive director of transportation where he will lead the transit agency’s Transportation Division.

Winners of 2016 NRC/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards announced

Recipients of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards were announced in a Dec. 27 email, with more than half of contestants earning perfect scores.

 

Gordon Trafton joins Canadian Pacific’s board of directors

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has appointed Gordon Trafton to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2017.  

 

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