DART says new appointments will bolster operations, safety and strategic planning

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has appointed Maureen McCole, Garrome Franklin and David Schulze to the roles of vice president, commuter rail/railroad management, vice president, chief safety officer and vice president for policy and strategy, respectively.

NCRIA approves more than $1.1 million in grants to help with rail access

North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (NCRIA) approved four grants totaling more than $1.1 million that will improve rail access for businesses in the state.

CHSRA awards design-build contract to Dragados USA/Flatiron JV

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) awarded a $1.23-billion contract to construct a 60-plus mile portion of high-speed rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco to the joint venture team of Dragados USA and Flatiron.

MetCouncil appoints next regional administrator

Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck has appointed Wes Kooistra as regional administrator of the Twin Cities area council, replacing Pat Born, who will retire July 3.

MassDOT completes line acquisition from CSX

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) completed the $23 million acquisition of the Framingham Secondary Rail Line, a 21-mile segment of rail that connects Framingham and Mansfield, from CSX.

CN and Alabama State Port Authority sign MOU

Canadian National signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA), which owns the public terminals at the Port of Mobile, intended to drive increased supply chain efficiency and a greater share of transportation markets in North America.

Ontario Northland and Teamsters Rail reach agreement for MOW employees

Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (Ontario Northland) and Teamsters Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) have reached a tentative five-year collective agreement.

Harsco Rail marks changes to Aftermarket Service Team

After more than 31 years working for Harsco Rail in several customer related service roles, Tom Totzke will retire May 31, 2015.

Granite names Rantala to head business development

Granite Construction Incorporated named Richard Rantala senior vice president of business development, reporting to Granite Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Christopher Miller.

Rebuilding a legacy

Dependable, long-term funding allowed SEPTA to take on a $5 billion backlog of state-of-good-repair projects.

Grade crossings: The annual report

Whether they are made up of concrete, rubber or another substance, grade-crossing surface suppliers continue to make safety a top priority.

Advances in rail grinding

Rail grinding service providers look to supply precise, efficient and flexible equipment.

O-Train Confederation Line kicks off track installation with laying of first rail

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa–Orléans), Bob Chiarelli, Member of Provincial Parliament (Ottawa West–Nepean) and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson installed the first official rail of the O-Train Confederation Line light-rail transit project June 12.

DSEIS for LACMTA’s Regional Connector project released

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project, an underground light-rail system under construction that will connect the existing LACMTA Gold, Blue and Expo lines in downtown Los Angeles.

BART Board approves FY16 budget

With record ridership stretching Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) resources, the board of directors voted to direct money to initiatives designed to increase train passenger capacity and to improve on-time performance through a $1.57 billion FY16 budget.

SEPTA to begin modernization project next week

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will begin a modernization project on its Route 101/102 (Media/Sharon Hill) trolley lines June 15.

CHSRA picks “Rail Delivery Partner” for new phase of program

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved a Rail Delivery Partner (RDP) contract, led by Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc., which CHSRA says takes an expanded approach to the planned high-speed rail program.

HART awards contract to build three rail stations

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit awarded a $78.9-million construction contract to Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company to build three rail stations in the Waipahu area at West Loch, Waipahu Transit Center and Leeward Community College.

Former FRA Administrator Szabo named executive director of CMAP

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will soon have a new executive director, Joseph Szabo.

Union Pacific plans $85 million investment in Washington and Oregon property

Union Pacific‘s infrastructure in Oregon and Washington state will see $85 million in track and signal work that the railroad says will enhance employee, community and customer safety while increasing rail operating efficiency.

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