Final approval for MTA’s five-year capital program gained
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can proceed with its largest infrastructure investment in its history following a key approval of its five-year capital program.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can proceed with its largest infrastructure investment in its history following a key approval of its five-year capital program.
Following the successful launch of Positive Train Control (PTC) on the Warminster Line in mid April, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continued its strategic rollout of the technology with installation on the Fox Chase Line.
The Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA), a subsidiary of Watco Transportation Services, LLC (WTS) has reached a definitive agreement with Norfolk Southern to lease and increase operations on 309 miles of rail line in Ohio and West Virginia.
Union Pacific plans to invest $54 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Missouri, which will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
A planned double track project in Indiana may move forward following a key approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Frank DePaola, who has served as general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) since February 2015, plans to retire after his current appointment expires on June 30.
Union Pacific plans to invest $58 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Louisiana. The multi-million dollar investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
CSX made a number of senior management changes, following the retirement of Lisa Mancini, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, effective July 1, following nearly 13 years of service.
Mancini joined CSX in 2003 and is a member of the chairman’s executive management team, with responsibility for people functions, procurement and real estate.
“We thank Lisa for her many contributions to CSX’s people and success. We wish her the very best in her retirement,” said Michael Ward, chairman and chief executive officer.
The company is realigning the senior team to advance its vision for the workforce, service, productivity and technology of the future. Cressie Brown, currently vice president-labor relations, will become senior vice president and chief administrative officer and Kathleen Brandt, currently head of the company’s information technology subsidiary, will become senior vice president and chief information officer. Both moves will be effective July 1 and both leaders will join the executive management team, reporting directly to Ward.
Brandt joined CSX in 1985 and rose through the information technology organization, becoming its leader. She has succeeded in key roles in organizational strategy and capital planning and has ideal skills to lead CSX teams in accelerating deployment of automation, analytics and systems to contribute to next-generation safety, service and efficiency.
Brown, who joined CSX in 1988, held leadership roles in critical operational and support functions including technology, finance, service design and customer service before her most recent appointment as vice president-labor relations. With these roles, Brown has gained deep and broad organizational expertise. She understands the vital role of CSX’s people in shaping the company’s future and is committed to their continued development and success.
Additionally, Zachery Jones has been appointed vice president-labor relations to succeed Brown. Jones, who previously was with the National Mediation Board in Washington, D.C., joined CSX in 2010 and is currently assistant vice president-employee services. In that role, he has been closely involved in positively addressing workforce issues and improving employee engagement.
“These promotions underscore the importance of continuing to develop our highly skilled and committed employees, while accelerating CSX’s next-generation technologies and performance in safety, service and efficiency,” Ward said.
TriMet has completed the 1st Avenue MAX Improvements Project, which rejuvenated a section of the original MAX alignment.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began service May 20 on Phase 2 of the Expo Line project.
The Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority (WMATA) released the final SafeTrack plan – a maintenance effort that will accelerate three years worth of work into approximately one year.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has received 212 applications totaling nearly $9.8 billion for grants through the newly created Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program.
Union Pacific plans to invest $70.9 million in 2016 to improve its transportation infrastructure in Colorado, which is expected to enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) service began May 17 along a new third track built on CSX’s right-of-way from the VRE Crossroads Yard to Hamilton.
The Federal Railroad Administration and California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) updated an existing 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant agreement.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deemed human error as the probable cause for the May 2015 Amtrak accident in Philadelphia, but said better windows would have lessened the severity of injuries of the crash and Positive Train Control (PTC) would have prevented it.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a $23-million plan that will essentially split a 119-mile travel corridor into a scenic railway south of Tupper Lake and a multi-use trail north of Tupper Lake.
Protran Technology, a division of Harsco Rail, has hired Clay Bunting as deputy director, where he will further develop its growing range of safety technology for track workers and track inspection technology.
Tulsa is primed to expand shipping capacity as the Panama Canal expansion nears completion with newly renovated dock and rail facilities.
The Federal Railroad Administration, Pima County Arizona, the Port of Tucson and Union Pacific joined in a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 12, celebrating the expansion of the port’s rail infrastructure.