Van Schaick joins Watco as AVP government affairs

Watco Companies hired Jeff Van Schaick as assistant vice president, government affairs.

BNSF plans $125 million capital program in Washington state

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $125 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement and expansion projects in Washington state this year.

Work starts on landslide solutions for Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor

Work is underway to help stabilize slopes and stop landslides along the Pacific Northwest’s only north-south passenger rail corridor.

NS’ Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility building receives LEED certification

The administration building at Norfolk Southern‘s Birmingham Regional Intermodal Facility at McCalla, Ala., has been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

BNSF plans large capacity enhancement projects in Montana, North Dakota

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $220 million to improve and expand rail capacity in North Dakota and $115 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in Montana this year.

SCCRTC approves contract for scaled down bridge repair project

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) approved a $4.2 million contract to make repairs to four bridges that “require attention more immediately” along the Santa Cruz Branch Line in California.

Grade crossing repairs planned in New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has planned railroad crossing repair projects in Woodstown, Salem County.

San Pedro & Southwestern named EPA “SmartWay” transport partner

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad (SPSR) as a partner in EPA’s “SmartWay” Transport Partnership program.

TORQ Transloading to construct CA$100 million crude-by-rail terminal in Saskatchewan

TORQ Transloading Inc. (TORQ) is planning the development of a large scale unit train, crude-by-rail terminal in Kerrobert, SK, Canada. TORQ is negotiating multiple pipeline connections to accommodate delivery of both light and heavy crudes to the Kerrobert Rail Terminal, which be served by Canadian Pacific.

Wisconsin Oks loans to freight rail projects

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) approved four state awards totaling $7,605,081 to improve freight rail infrastructure and support economic growth. The funds will be administered through its Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP).

South Dakota Department of Transportation wins award for rail project

The South Dakota Department of Transportation‘s 2012 Mitchell to Chamberlain (MRC) Railroad Rehabilitation project has won regional acclaim in the America’s Transportation Awards competition.

NCDOT awards contract for railbed construction

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $24.9-million contract to Crowder Construction Co. to construct railroad roadbed along a 12-mile segment of the North Carolina Railroad/Norfolk Southern corridor. The work will span from north of Rocky River Road in Concord to Orr Road in Charlotte.

UP Iowa to Missouri line undergoing track improvements

Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s and Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $10.5 million in the rail line between Allerton, Iowa, and Lock Springs, Mo.

NYSDOT receives TIGER grant for Rochester Intermodal Terminal

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a $15-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to design and construct a new train station in Rochester, N.Y.

CSX acquires Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa

CSX purchased the Eastern Associated Terminal in Tampa, Fla., from the Ingram Barge Company. The phosphate export facility is adjacent to CSX’s Rockport terminal on Tampa Bay and the combined entity will be called Rockport Terminals.

UP invests $8 million into Iowa’s transportation infrastructure

Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $8 million in the rail line between Mason City and near Iowa Falls. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began August 6 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

California Transportation Commission allocates close to $60 million to three rail-related projects

The California Transportation Commission assigned $59.25 million to two grade separation projects and a rail connector project.

UP’s Kansas line to see $20 million in trackwork

Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $20 million in the rail line between near Paola and Coffeyville. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began in late July and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

The railroads’ ideal M/W machine

Every railroad has a different ideal when it comes to machinery, but safety, reliability and ease of use are common factors found on every wish list.

FRA issues emergency order to prevent unintended hazardous materials train movement

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) late last week issued an Emergency Order and Safety Advisory to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally. The order was made in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, QB, Canada.

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