NJDOT leadership change underway

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jamie Fox will make his anticipated transition back to the private sector by the end of the month, when NJDOT Deputy Commissioner Joseph Bertoni will take over as acting commissioner.

South Carolina floods claim lives of two R.J. Corman employees

R. J. Corman Railroad Group has confirmed that the company lost two employees as a result of a pickup truck accident on the flood-damaged Congaree Road in Eastover, S.C.

HNTB nabs CHSRA design and construction contract

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors has awarded HNTB Corporation the project and construction management contract for Construction Package 4. HNTB will provide design and construction oversight for the next 22 miles of construction in the Central Valley.

P&L trainmen ratify new deal

United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART)-represented trainmen employed by Paducah and Louisville Railway (P&L) have ratified a new five-year agreement.

BNSF installs movable-point diamond in Vancouver, Wash.

BNSF posted video of a project on its website showing employees installing a rare track component to address a bottleneck on the network in Vancouver, Wash.

MBTA Green Line increases countdown signs

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line will activate additional countdown signs this week at Copley, Arlington, Boylston, Park, Haymarket and North Stations.

Wiley to retire from SacRT

Mike Wiley, general manager and chief executive officer of Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT), has announced plans to retire following a 38-year career. Wiley will transition from the chief executive position to a supporting role that SacRT says will ensure the continued success of the agency.

CSX, DelDOT and Operation Lifesaver promote public safety

CSX, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Operation Lifesaver worked together this past weekend to improve public safety at railroad crossings and around railroad tracks in Delaware through education and awareness.

UP and BNSF win distinguished Hay Award at AREMA Conference

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2015 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to Union Pacific and BNSF for the Tower 55 Multimodal Improvement Project in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

Short Line Safety Institute looking for an executive director

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) is seeking candidates to fill the position of executive director.

FTA proposed rule would require transit agencies to maintain assets in a state of good repair

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a proposed rule that would require public transportation agencies to monitor and manage their capital assets to achieve and maintain a state of good repair.

NTSB recommends federal oversight of WMATA rail system

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two urgent safety recommendations calling for direct federal safety oversight of Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) system by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Jackson County, KCATA reach funding agreement to purchase Rock Island Corridor

Jackson County and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) reached a cooperative agreement that will provide the financing necessary for the future acquisition of the 17.7 miles of the Rock Island Corridor in Missouri from Union Pacific.

CP acquires Steelcare Inc.

Canadian Pacific has acquired Steelcare Inc., Canada’s largest steel transload facility, which is located in Hamilton, Ontario.

USDOT unveils Build America Transportation Investment Center

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently unveiled its Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC), which will serve as the single point of contact and coordination for states, municipalities and project sponsors looking to utilize federal transportation expertise, apply for federal transportation credit programs and explore ways to access private capital in public-private partnerships.

SunRail receives $93.4 million for expansion

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded a $93.4-million federal grant agreement to extend SunRail commuter rail service 17.2 miles from Southern Orlando to Osceola County. The extension will provide faster and more efficient travel to jobs and cultural and retail destinations in downtown Orlando and throughout Central Florida.

NS renames Memphis yard in honor of Deb Butler

Norfolk Southern‘s yard in Memphis, Tenn., has a new name and it is “Harris Yard,” in honor of Deborah Harris Butler, the railroad’s executive vice president planning and chief information officer, who is retiring Oct. 1, 2015.

Progress Rail to acquire RPS from Amsted

Progress Rail Services Corporation, supplier of railroad products and services to the railroad and transit industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Rail Product Solutions, Inc. (RPS) from Amsted Rail Company, Inc. RPS is a provider of track fastening products and integrated fastening systems.

CTA completes Clark/Division Red Line Station renovation

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has completed a major renovation project on the Clark/Division Red Line station. The project added a new entrance, as well as a fully renovated and modernized the station.

LACMTA names first chief innovation officer

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected Dr. Joshua Schank as the first-ever head of its newly created Office of Extraordinary Innovation, effective October 5, 2015.

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