New Jersey Transit achieved record on-time performance (OTP) for trains during the 2012 calendar year.
CSX appointed Quintin Kendall to vice president, state government and community affairs. He succeeds Michael O’Malley, who was recently named head of the company’s Purchasing and Materials group.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) revised the environmental review process, required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which will expedite the process for all proposed transit projects seeking federal funds.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Assembly Station Project is well underway. The new Orange Line station is under construction between Wellington and Sullivan Square Stations. Once complete, the station will serve as a gateway to development at Assembly Square.
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad had its second highest ridership in 2012, providing 83 million rail rides, despite the lingering effects of Super Storm Sandy.
Georgetown Rail Equipment Co. (GREX) hired Gregory Bilhartz to serve in the newly-created position of director, business development.
Watco Railroad Company Holdings, Inc., (Watco) purchased Ann Arbor Railroad, Inc. (AA). On Dec. 27, 2012, a Notice of Exemption was filed with the Surface Transportation Board for Watco to purchase the railroad company’s stock. The acquisition of Control Exemption became effective on Jan. 26, 2012.
In Texas, the TEX Rail Environmental Assessment (EA) document is available for review, which presents an environmental analysis of changes to the project, since the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was completed.
Canadian Pacific (CP) and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference – Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED) ratified a five-year collective agreement.
Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) ridership in 2012 grew to its highest annual total in the past 22 years, rising 2.4 percent to 545.6 million rides for the year.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is stepping down and will not serve a second term.
The city of Fond du Lac, Wis., is being awarded a Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) grant. The $600,000-award represents the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDot) contribution toward rail improvements to serve McNeilus Steel’s expanding facility in Fond du Lac.
The Loyola Avenue-Union Passenger Terminal Streetcar Line in New Orleans, La., is now open. The new line extends transit service to the French Quarter, the Superdome and downtown jobs and is already attracting new business and residential development to the area.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Norfolk Southern to upgrade eight grade crossings in the city of Miamisburg in Montgomery County.
Norfolk Southern plans to spend $2 billion in 2013 for capital improvements to its rail transportation network.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick joined state and local leaders in New Bedford, Mass., to highlight the administration’s commitment to South Coast Rail as a key component of an investment plan to grow jobs and expand economic opportunity.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors selected PGH Wong Engineering, Inc., and Harris & Associates to provide additional oversight and management of contractors who will build the initial 30-mile stretch of high-speed rail from Madera to Fresno, Calif.
North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) hired Jim Kessler, PE, as vice president of engineering and planning.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) approved a $12.5-million award in regional transportation funding for Phase 1 of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) project in California.
Union Pacific is investing approximately $13.2 million in the rail line between Troutdale and Dalles, Ore.