Crossties face conflicting pressures
It’s shaping up to be an unusual year in crossties. And for wood crossties in particular, things are looking positively bizarre. “We’re seeing some big peaks and valleys in supply and prices,”
Port Authority of NY-NJ names DeGraffe to serve as head of transit, GM for PATH
Clarelle DeGraffe is the new director of rail transit and general manager of Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH), effective March 25, following a promotion from officials at the Port Authority of New
Midwest floods have maintenance crews scrambling to restore track
Record-setting floods have caused extensive damage to railroad infrastructure across large sections of the Midwest, prompting a surge in construction and repair work.
OLI appoints new coordinators in three states
Rail safety nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has three new leaders in place for its state programs.
CSX set to break ground on N.C. rail hub next month
Work will soon be underway at the site of CSX’s proposed intermodal rail facility across from North Carolina Wesleyan College, a liberal arts college based in Rocky Mount, N.C.
FTA doles out low rating for Hudson River tunnel project, continues to rule out funding
The $13 billion Hudson River tunnel project, aimed at building a new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, is again facing funding problems after federal authorities announced a rating that
CN targets more than $184 million in capex for Saskatchewan
Canadian National plans to spend more than $184 million (C$245 million) on construction projects this year in the province of Saskatchewan, as the Class 1 railroad looks to improve efficiency on the
G&W lands rail contract at Port of Caddo-Bossier
Genesee & Wyoming’s Rail Link subsidiary will provide rail service at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in Shreveport, La., as the company expands operations in Gulf Coast ports.
Shortline Maintenance: Focus on the Fundamentals
Shortlines rely on track inspection, efficient use of resources, application of the industry’s best practices, and compliance with railroad rules and federal regulations to meet day-to-day and long-term track maintenance challenges.
Gannett Fleming opens new North Carolina office
Gannett Fleming, a global infrastructure and engineering firm, has recently expanded its presence in North Carolina, opening a new office in Asheville, N.C.
HDR to manage public transit transformation for Austin’s CapMetro
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (CapMetro) Board of Directors, located in Austin, Texas, recently approved the selection of HDR Engineering, Inc. to help manage a multi-year implementation process for its Project Connect,
DART rail replacement scheduled for Downtown Dallas
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will carry out rail replacement work during weekends beginning March 30 and continuing into September of 2019.
RHCA selects TEXRail as 2018 Project of the Year
Trinity Metro’s new commuter rail line, TEXRail, is the recipient of an honor from the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA). RHCA has selected TEXRail as its 2018 Project of the Year.
Hicks joins NRC Board of Directors
Kevin Hicks, PE, vice president at TranSystems Corp., is the latest addition to the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
Contractors petition for HOS exemptions for derailment, emergency response
R.J. Corman Railroad Services, Cranemasters Inc. and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) have asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to exempt railroad workers responding to emergencies from certain
Campbell to serve as director of Infrastructure for TNW Corporation
Douglas Campbell is TNW Corporation’s (TNW) new director of Infrastructure and Strategic Initiatives (DISI).
CTA invests nearly $4M in Addison Red Line track improvements
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is investing nearly $4 million in railroad track improvements at its Addison Red Line station, the authority announced.
HNTB names Loftus as senior transit project manager
Daniel Loftus, PE, is a new leader in HNTB’s Chicago office, where he will now serve as senior transit project manager.
Phoenix selects new light rail administrator
The city of Phoenix, Ariz., has a new light rail administrator. Markus Coleman, who brings experience in public transit, planning and development departments and the City Manager’s office, has been appointed to
Research: Bridge Asset Management and the Degradation Model
Editor’s Note: From time to time we will publish cutting-edge research in the world of railroad engineering. In this piece, researchers look at the use of the degradation model in bridge asset