Georgia Ports Authority breaks ground on Mason Mega rail project
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) broke ground on the $126.7 million Mason Mega Rail Terminal on March 26.
Norfolk Southern taps McClellan, Elkins for new roles
The Norfolk Southern (NS) board of directors has selected new roles for both Michael R. McClellan and Claude E. “Ed” Elkins, effective April 1.
Union Pacific invests $110.3M in Iowa, Oregon networks
Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to spend an estimated $47 million on its Iowa network and about $63.3 million on its network in Oregon this year to improve safety, efficiency and customer service.
Illinois crossing projects get $194M
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its annual 5-year plan for the Crossing Safety Improvement Program, which will roll out highway-rail safety projects throughout the state.
Ontario preps for expanded GO service
Ontario is adding new stations and performing upgrades across its GO Regional Express Rail (RER) network to prepare for additional all-day, two-way GO train service for commuters in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.
Plans for new NOLA intermodal hub
The Port of New Orleans has given its blessing, and more, for a plan to redevelop a defunct city shipyard into an intermodal terminal.
NTSB’s Sumwalt offers updates on rail at ‘Most Wanted’ midpoint
Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), offered insight on the status of important rail safety changes at the midpoint of the Most Wanted List 2017–2018 cycle in a March 26 blog post.
UP lands ONE contract
Ocean Network Express Pte. LTD (ONE) and Ocean Network Express North America have selected Union Pacific to handle all intermodal shipments arriving on ONE container ships at U.S. West Coast ports beginning April 1, 2018.
HNTB’s Mendes a 2018 Shirley A. DeLibero Award recipient
Diana Mendes, AICP, and HNTB Corporation Mid-Atlantic Division president, received the 2018 Shirley A. DeLibero Award at a March 22 event in Washington, D.C.
MTA proposes ‘value capture’ to New York City
New York MTA Chairman Joe Lhota and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio—bitter political enemies since at least 2013, when Democrat De Blasio trounced Republican Lhota 73.2% to 24.3% in the mayoral election—have been battling publicly over the City’s share of funding for New York’s subway system, which is in need of major capital investment.
Omnibus FY18: A little bit of good news for a lot of the rail industry
Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill on Thursday, March 22. The president signed the legislation (even though his Twitter activity suggested otherwise) to avoid a government shutdown, but noted his displeasure saying there were elements of the legislation he was not happy about.
NYC Transit plans flood resiliency project for April
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit has announced a flood protection project in the Rockaways intended to strengthen subway infrastructure and make it more resilient in the face of future storms.
Aadnesen retires from GREX
Chris Aadnesen is retiring as Executive Chairman of the Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) board of directors, following a long and distinguished railroad industry career, including 15 years at GREX.
European partnership looks to develop smart ties
Crossties capable of data collection will be the development focus of a new partnership between technology and consulting firm Indra and Greenrail, an Italian producer of eco-sustainable crossties.
Amtrak to rename Rochester station for Rep. Louise Slaughter
Amtrak will rename its Rochester Intermodal Station the “Louise M. Slaughter Intermodal Station in Rochester,” U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced this week.
LIRR lays out improvement plan
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) detailed a slate of nearly 60 actions it will take to improve the railroad’s performance through a new initiative called the LIRR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
Chicago to O’Hare RFP: Musk’s loop concept vs. traditional rail transit
Two teams have been chosen to compete for work to design, build, finance and operate Chicago’s O’Hare Express operating system.
Light rail at heart of Quebec City transport plan
The mayor of Quebec City, Mr Régis Labeaume, in the presence of Quebec province’s premier Mr Philippe Couillard and the president of Capital Transport Network (RTC) Mr Rémy Normand, has unveiled a $C 2.9bn ($US 2.22bn) plan to expand the city’s public transport network, as the existing bus-based system is at maximum capacity in several locations.
Begeman named permanent STB chairman
Ann Dawn Begeman was designated permanent chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) March 19 by President Trump. She has been acting chairman since January 2017.
FRA holding PTC meetings with railroads, suppliers
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) leadership is stepping up its role in the journey toward positive train control (PTC) implementation by meeting with railroad and supply representatives to ensure progress is being made.