Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be stepping down from the post he has held since April 2009 and, effective Jan. 1, 2015, will be on staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)—effectively returning to his Chicagoland roots.
On November 10, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the F line between Greenwich Village in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.
Koppers Holdings Inc. appointed Leroy Ball to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2015, as part of its long-term strategic planning process.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says that voters on Tuesday continued their strong support for public transportation at the local level.
CSX has appointed Kellen Riley as its South Carolina industrial development manager where he will be responsible for managing existing customer partnerships, helping to locate rail-served industries along the CSX network in South Carolina and identifying new development sites throughout the state.
The Federal Highway Administration has approved a preferred construction alternative for CSX’s Virginia Avenue Tunnel project, enabling CSX to complete the tunnel’s design and initiate the construction permitting process.
Sound Transit will host an open house November 6, which will showcase the completed design for East Link’s South Bellevue station and alignment and provide information on early construction activities that will start in 2015.
According to a recent Washington State Freight and Goods Transportation System report published by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Columbia Basin Railroad line from Connell to Moses Lake/Wheeler, Wash., is the busiest shortline in eastern Washington.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will begin discussions this week to develop a balanced budget for FY2016; the general manager/chief executive officer will present a budget proposal in December, which will lead to budget adoption in early 2015.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved funding authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing rail crossing warning device upgrades at five crossings.
BNSF says it will go into the 2014-2015 winter season better prepared than ever before, especially if the United States experiences a return of the polar vortex. The 2013-2014 winter was one of the most severe winters the United States has experienced in decades with extreme temperatures that persisted for long periods and created special challenges for operating the railroad.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Blue Line Pacific Coast Highway and Anaheim stations in Long Beach will each receive a second canopy along with improvements, such as lighting, new paint, replacement of worn or damaged tiles and the installation of new tracks and track beds.
On November 3, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens for four consecutive weeknights. E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and World Trade Center; F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and 21 St-Queensbridge; M service will end early between 71 Av. and Essex St. each night and R service will end early between 71 Av. and 36 St. in Brooklyn each night.
Transport Canada is implementing measures to address the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) recommendations stemming from its final report on the Lac-Mégantic train derailment.
Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million to fund 86 multimodal projects in 35 counties in the state, including nine rail-specific projects.
Construction has started on the $29.8-million Amtrak Rochester Intermodal Station in Rochester, N.Y., which will reduce regional delays by expanding track service at the station, increase functionality through a new and redesigned concourse and enhance the overall passenger experience in the larger, modern station. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
L.B. Foster Company plans to acquire the railroad tuning unit, FWO, of Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH. The German business provides track lubrication and switch roller equipment for international railway applications.
October 29, 2014, marked the start of construction for All Aboard Florida‘s downtown Fort Lauderdale station. The existing building was demolished so construction on the nearly 60,000-square-foot station and platform can begin.
Amtrak is establishing a blue ribbon panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address the rail traffic gridlock in Chicago. Amtrak said the unprecedented level of rail congestion is causing major delays for Amtrak passengers and freight shipments.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named David Mayer as the agency’s new chief safety officer.