It’s official: USDOT’s TIGER IV grants doled out to 47 projects

Forty-seven transportation projects in 34 states and the District of Columbia will receive a total of almost $500 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2012 program.

UP performing more than $22 million in Nebraska infrastructure improvements

Union Pacific is enhancing Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure by investing more than $22 million in the rail line that runs between O’Fallons, Neb., and the Wyoming border. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by mid-October.

Rail and transit get 21 percent of Virginia’s $11.4 billion transportation program

The Virgina Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved $11.4 billion in allocations for transportation improvement projects over the next six years beginning July 1. The Six-Year Improvement Program distributes funding for highway, road and bridge projects, as well as rail, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation improvements across the state.

The T Board approves new TEX Rail station site

The board of The T (Fort Worth Transportation Authority) in Texas unanimously approved a new site for the agency’s TEX Rail commuter rail station.

LACMTA dedicates Culver City Station on Expo Line

Los Angeles Mayor and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa joined Culver City Mayor Andy Weissman and other local elected officials to dedicate the opening of the Expo Line Culver City Station located in the heart of Culver City at the intersection of Washington and National.

AECOM wins contract for work on Australia’s largest public-transportation project

AECOM Technology Corporation is part of a consortium that has been awarded a $555 million contract for a package of work on Australia’s Regional Rail Link in the state of Victoria.

TIGER IV funding light on rail

No official word from the U.S. Department of Transportation has been released regarding awards of the fourth round of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, but news from various congressional offices is revealing what projects will benefit from the latest round of grants. The initial tally indicates rail related projects did not fare as well as they had in past TIGER funding cycles, but several key projects will see federal money.

Regional agreement to fund Caltrain modernization is approved

The approval by the city of San Jose, Calif., is the last endorsement needed for a regional agreement to fully fund the modernization of the San Francisco Bay area Caltrain system.

BNSF plans capital programs worth $140 million in Colorado, Wyoming

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $140 million in capital programs in both Colorado and Wyoming this year.

MTA New York City Transit declares latest round of FASTRACK a success

June 15 saw the wrap-up of another round of FASTRACK activities as hundreds of Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit workers completed their tasks along the Lexington Avenue Line prior to the start of the morning rush.

STB proceeds on Tongue River Railroad’s revised construction proposal

The Surface Transportation Board made public its approach for the continuation of the Tongue River Railroad Company, Inc.’s (TRRC) revised proposal to build and operate a new rail line in Montana. This approach takes into account a number of recent changed circumstances and will allow the board to complete its review of TRRC’s current plans for a new railroad line.

New website focuses on quality of railroad workers’ sleep

The results of a study regarding railroad worker fatigue management, sleep and sleep disorders have been made publicly available. The website, titled “Railroaders’ Guide to Healthy Sleep” (www.railroadersleep.org), is the result of a collaborative project that began in 2010 between Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Harvard Medical School, the WGBH Educational Foundation and the UTU. The final product reflects anonymous survey results from numerous BLET and UTU members.

Port of Coos Bay names CEO, posts intent to award notice

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Port Commission has selected David Koch as its new chief executive officer. Koch has been serving as the port’s interim CEO since December 2011 and the port’s chief operating officer starting in October 2010.

Denver RTD receives two sound proposals for I-225 rail project

The Denver Regional Transportation District received two competitive proposals for the I-225 Light Rail Project.

BLET members ratify six-year contract with Grand Trunk Western

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new a six-year collective bargaining agreement with Canadian National’s Grand Trunk Western property.

Congressman Nadler tours RailWorks offices

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and a leading advocate for the freight rail, intercity passenger rail and rail transit industries, toured the corporate headquarters offices of RailWorks Corporation in Manhattan on Thursday, June 14.

Maintenance-of-Way Challenges: Automated tie inspection

Automated crosstie evaluation systems work toward removing  subjectivity and improving accuracy of crosstie inspections.

High-speed rail grinding and metal removal

Controlling grinding speed allows for the amount of metal removal to be fine-tuned and results in improved effectiveness and utilization of grinding operations.

Crossing with the utmost care

Whether it’s  a freight train, passenger train or a pedestrian crossing the rails, grade-crossing surfaces must be in tip top shape to provide a safe and smooth ride.

PUCO approves upgrade of five rail crossings across Ohio

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization for the installation of flashing lights and gates at five grade crossings in Crawford, Cuyahoga, Logan and Seneca counties.

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