USDOT sends long-term transportation bill to Congress

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is sending a long-term transportation bill to Congress for consideration as the House and Senate face deadlines to avoid the economic uncertainty and job loss that would ensue if the Highway Trust Fund runs out of money this summer.

UP invests in Minnesota’s and Iowa’s transportation infrastructures

Union Pacific will strengthen Minnesota’s and Iowa’s transportation infrastructures by investing $17.5 million in the rail line between Butterfield, Minn., and near Mason City, Iowa. The project began April 8 and is scheduled to be completed by mid- July.

Transport Canada’s new funds for crossings; CN’s public outreach rollout kick off Canada Rail Safety Week

Prime Minister Stephen Harper government today launched Rail Safety Week with new funding to improve railway crossings.

KCS engineering team marks successful rebuild of rail grinding machine

Recently, the Kansas City Southern (KCS) Engineering Department purchased and rebuilt an on-track rail grinding machine.

Atlas Railroad Construction reorganizes, relocates, expands to new markets

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) Atlas Railroad Construction subsidiary is reorganizing under a region-based commercial and operating structure to facilitate expansion into the U.S. Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. As part of the reorganization, Atlas is relocating its headquarters from Bridgeville, Pa., to Jacksonville, Fla.

KCS hosts Officer on a Train event in Joplin, Mo.

Kansas City Southern (KCS) and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event on April 24 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in the city.

Watco appoints three to new positions

Watco Transportation Services (WTS) appointed Jason Cathey to safety director. He will be responsible for managing the Safety Department Training and QA programs, assisting with incident reporting and statistics record keeping and leading WTS safety initiatives supporting safe work practices among WTS locations.

AAR: Only 20 percent of PTC network will be ready by 2015

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) issued a new report to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) updating the industry’s progress on installing Positive Train Control (PTC) and said the industry will not meet the December 2015 deadline.

Massachusetts awards grants for freight projects

Massachusetts awarded seven grants totaling $2.5 million for industrial rail projects as part of the 2014 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP), which is being matched by more than $1.9 million in private sector funds for a total $4.5 million investment.

The real zeal behind railroad maintenance

While Reading & Northern may be smaller in size to other railroads, its employees are never short on enthusiasm, dedication and passion when it comes to maintaining its assets.

Canadian government’s subsidy to CN for Algoma Central Railway operation extended a year

The government of Canada will extend its CA$2.2-million (US$2-million) federal subsidy to Canadian National for the operation of the Algoma Central Railway (ACR) passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario, until March 31, 2015.

Military Times EDGE names UP Best for Vets Employer in 2014

Military Times EDGE named Union Pacific among the Best for Vets 2014 Employers. Union Pacific’s number five ranking marks the fourth consecutive year the railroad has been in the top 10.

Amtrak, Maryland DOT, FRA partner on Susquehanna River Bridge study

Amtrak, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has launched a preliminary engineering study for rehabilitation or possible replacement of the 108-year-old Susquehanna River Rail Bridge.

NS Bellevue Yard expansion nearing completion

A major expansion at Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Bellevue Yard in Ohio is nearing completion and is expected to wrap up construction by the end of this year.

Illinois to fund restoration of Chicago to Rockford Amtrak service

The state of Illinois will make a $223-million state capital investment that will create hundreds of jobs and restart Amtrak service between Rockford and Chicago beginning in 2015.

CDOT receives FRA grant to help in flood recovery

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will receive a $1,656,401-grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to help restore the Great Western Railway that was devastated by severe flooding in September.

Illinois’ new six-year transportation program includes $1.85 billion for public transit

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled a six-year, $8.6-billion construction program that he says will improve roads and bridges throughout Illinois while making major investments in public transportation.

Southwest light-rail shallow tunnel plan approved by Metropolitan Council

The Metropolitan Council voted 14-2 on April 9 to approve the Southwest LRT (METRO Green Line Extension) Project, the Minneapolis area’s third light-rail transit line.

BNSF, Metra to begin tie and surface project along Illinois line

A major tie replacement and track resurfacing project will get underway during the last two weeks of April on Metra’s BNSF Line to Aurora, Ill. Metra said the project is part of an effort to maintain and improve the quality of service.

FRA to issue proposed rule on minimum train crew size

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) revealed its intention to issue a proposed rule requiring two-person train crews on crude oil trains and establishing minimum crew size standards for most mainline freight and passenger rail operations. The FRA also intends to advance a rulemaking on train securement and recommends a rulemaking on the movement of hazardous materials.

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