U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has put together a special panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy.
The Chicago Rail Link (CRL), managed by OmniTRAX, has completed upgrades for BP Products North America, which has begun shipments of liquid asphalt through the terminal.
Continental Rail Corp., a holding company formed to acquire and operate shortline and regional railroads, named Ambassador Ned Siegel to its board of directors.
HollyFrontier Corporation and Holly Energy Partners, L.P., are collaborating to construct a rail facility that will enable crude oil loading and unloading near HollyFrontier’s Artesia and/or Lovington, N. M. refining facilities.
President Obama released his fiscal year 2014 budget on April 10 and included $77 million for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The figure is six percent above the FY 2012 enacted levels and the administration says the budget provides immediate transportation investment in key areas.
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Wyoming’s transportation infrastructure by investing $12 million in the rail line between Granite and Rawlins. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) and the West Point Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event April 9 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in West Point, Miss.
Watco Companies hired Nate Henderson as director of operations for the Central Region for its Terminal and Port Services division.
Canadian National has committed a $50,000 endowment to the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Educational Foundation, according to a release from the association.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has obligated $10 million to rebuild a rail line near Devils Lake, N.D.
Six Class 1 railroads were recognized by Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) through its 2012 National Awards Recognition Program.
Norfolk Southern (NS) promoted Tom Schnautz to assistant vice president of research and advanced technology. He has assumed some of the responsibilities of Gerhard Thelen, including Positive Train Control (PTC) and research. Thelen retired March 31 as vice president operations planning and support.
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $7 million in the rail line between North Bend and Grand Island. The project, funded entirely by UP without taxpayer dollars, is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) and Kyle Railroad reached an agreement on a proposed contract for all crafts under UTU-SMART’s jurisdiction, which include: engineers, conductors, brakemen, maintenance of way employees, signal employees, mechanics, helpers and apprentices, carmen and welders.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed the Locomotive Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) exemption bill, designed to encourage further growth of the railroad industry, as well as continued growth of exports and manufacturing in New Mexico.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) named Paul Worley director of the Rail Division.
President Obama pushed his plan, the Rebuild America Partnership, to encourage private investment in public infrastructure while in Miami, Fla., touring Port Miami’s tunnel project, which provides a direct connection between the port and major highway.
OmniTRAX, Inc., has made four management appointments and promotions.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association honored the Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR) for the second year in a row with its Jake Award with distinction “For achieving a perfect safety record with no reportable injuries.”