SEPTA To Begin M Line Rehabilitation Project March 29
PHILADELPHIA – SEPTA will begin a major rehabilitation project along the M Line on Sunday, March 29.
Sound Transit Approves Contract for New Operations and Maintenance Facility
SEATTLE –– Sound Transit announces the first agency progressive design-build procurement will maintain and store light rail vehicles and provide more than 600 living wage jobs in South King County
Illinois Commerce Commission Gives a Green Light to $376 Million For Rail Safety Improvements
CHICAGO – This week, $370 million was allocated to the annual five-year (FY 2027-2031) Crossing Safety Improvement Program in Illinois by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for upgrading rail-highway crossings in the
Mexico awards $US 220m ETCS contract
MEXICO –– The Mexican government body Attrapi has awarded a joint venture of Sonda and Siemens Mobility a Pesos 3.84bn ($US 220m) four-year contract to supply ETCS Level 1 signalling for the Mexico City – Querétaro – Irapuato passenger line.
CSX Chattanooga Subdivision Receives Track Upgrades
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – CSX engineering teams finished track upgrades on the Chattanooga Subdivision.
STB Aims to Reform Rail Permitting – Commentary
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– In the opinion of the late President Ronald Regan, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’” Among railroaders, the phrase rang painfully and expensively true for most of the 20th century when the former Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) regulated railroads into the years the locust hath eaten. Things they have been a changin’ under ICC successor Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Ports of Indiana Receives First Aluminum Shipment at New Bonded Storage Facility at Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. –– The Ports of Indiana this week announced that it has opened a new federally approved bonded storage facility at its Mount Vernon port, resulting in a major expansion of capabilities and enabling the port to handle its first barge shipment of aluminum.
NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Amtrak Worker Fatality in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The National Transportation Safety Board this week released its preliminary report on the death of an Amtrak track worker on February 23, 2026.
STV Wins Traffic Engineering Contract in Connecticut
HARTFORD, Conn. – CTDOT has selected STV to provide traffic engineering services under a new task-based agreement.
CTDOT Releases 2027-2030 STIP
NEWINGTON, Conn. – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) released the 2027-2030 draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
Britain Considers HS2 Speed Cut
GREAT BRITAIN –– HS2 Ltd CEO asked to examine lowering maximum speed from 360km/h [224 m.p.h.].
Georgia Ports Authority Announces May 2026 Opening for New Inland Port in Gainesville, Ga.
SAVANNAH –– The Georgia Ports Authority has announced that the new inland port in Gainesville, Ga. will open on May 4, 2026. Gainesville is about 60 miles north of Atlanta, is a stop on the former Southern Railway and now Norfolk Southern, and is often referred to as the poultry capital of the world.
Phase 3 of Signal Work at MBTA’s Columbia Junction Starts March 26
BOSTON – Phase 1 and 2 of MBTA’s major signal modernization work at Columbia Junction on the Red Line is almost complete. Phase 3 will begin March 26.
Amtrak Advances Major Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Amtrak recently released an updated report on the major infrastructure projects the agency currently has underway.
CTA Sues Federal Government Over Red Line Extension Pause, Project Funding
CHICAGO – On March 20, 2026, the Chicago Transit Authority filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to restore funding for the Red Line Extension (RLE) and Red & Purple Modernization (RPM) projects.
For CSX, Drones Are An Important Item In The Toolbox
JACKSONVILLE –– CSX employs drones for inspection and engineering assessments and has found them to be among of the key tools supporting the operation of the railroad.
Thank You for Your Service – Commentary
NEW YORK ––Between 16% and 25% of the U.S. railroad industry workforce consists of military veterans, with most Class I’s reporting that up to 20% or more of their employees have served in the armed forces. Veterans are highly valued in the industry for their discipline, safety focus, and skill sets.
ENSCO Taps Gregory Grissom To Lead Inspection & Asset Management Services
VIENNA, Va. – Gregory Grissom, P.E. steps into the role of Division Manager, Rail Inspection & Asset Management Services at ENSCO, Inc.
Union Pacific Announces America250 Celebration Featuring President Donald J. Trump Locomotive, America250 Locomotive, and Big Boy Steam Eastern Operation
OMAHA –– Union Pacific last week announced its America250 Celebration, featuring a locomotive honoring President Donald J. Trump, an America250 locomotive, and the initial leg of the Big Boy 4014 Eastern steam tour.
Texas Rail Grade Separation Projects Obtain New Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Grade crossing separation projects received a funding boost this week with the addition of $160 million in state dollars.