Metra moves forward with suicide prevention sign installation
Metra is moving forward with its plan to develop and install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.
PHL appoints new Vice President Stephen Hoye
Stephen Hoye has been appointed vice president of Anacostia Rail Holdings’s Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) subsidiary. The position is effective in early August.
Quandel Consultants welcomes three veteran engineers to its team
James R. Push, James LeVan and Dean Smith have joined Quandel Consultants. The company says it’s added the three veteran engineers to its team this spring in order to “further enhance the firm’s expertise and client offerings.”
FRA issues Gulf Coast passenger rail report; Class 1s not fully on board
A report submitted to Congress on July 17 says restored Gulf Coast Amtrak service would expand travel markets; improve access to jobs, education and healthcare; reduce vehicular congestion and provide support for disaster and emergency response during coastal storm events.
Norfolk Southern slimming to nine divisions
Norfolk Southern will be consolidating its Central Division headquarters operations in Knoxville, Tenn., into three surrounding divisions “as part of ongoing efforts to enhance customer service and improve operating efficiencies.”
DelDOT breaks ground for Newark Regional Transportation Center
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) celebrated the groundbreaking for the Newark Regional Transportation Center, parking lot and access road on July 17.
Private investors plan metro-Ottawa passenger rail
Plans for privately-financed 250-mile commuter rail network centered on Ottawa and Gatineau took a step forward on July 1, when the Moose Consortium of eight local companies exchanged letters of intent with a consortium of LeMine Investment Group and Consortia N.A. (LeMine-ConsortiaNA) to assess the business and technical potential of the project.
Geotechnical work underway along portion of California project
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its contractor Kleinfelder are currently performing geotechnical work along State Route 152 in the Pacheco Pass.
Nine MTA N Stations enter final phase of $395.7-million renovation
Coney Island-bound platforms at seven Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) N stations in Brooklyn will close on July 31 for the final phase of a major $395.7-million renovation project.
BRACE Act’s short line tax credit attracts majority support in Congress
The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.
Metra puts Safety Train to work
Metra’s Board of Directors along with agency officials sent the Metra Safety Train on an excursion to “highlight the numerous ways that Metra strives to operate the safest possible railroad for its customers, employees, local schoolchildren and the public.”
New name and logo as Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch rebrands
Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company’s operations.
Knipper joins HNTB
Gay M. Knipper joined HNTB as senior program manager and vice president, specializing in program and construction management. She is based in the firm’s New Orleans office and works with clients throughout the country.
UP consolidates Council Bluffs unit
Union Pacific announced it is consolidating its Council Bluffs Service Unit management with its Twin Cities, North Platte and Chicago service units effective July 15.
NJT FY 2018 budget: $3.6 billion
New Jersey Transit (NJT) has adopted a Fiscal Year 2018 budget of $3.6 billion “that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.”
Alpenglow Rail finalizes VIP Rail acquisition
Alpenglow Rail LLC completed its acquisition of VIP Rail LLC. This acquisition is a first for the Denver-based shortline rail business, which is backed by private equity firm Stonecourt Capital.
FRA issues ROD on NEC FUTURE
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued its Record of Decision (ROD) on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) FUTURE program that details a long-term vision for the corridor to improve and grow passenger rail service at a cost between $121 billion and $153 billion.
Rep. Frelinghuysen explains the $900M for Gateway Program in THUD bill
A New Jersey congressman, who happens to chair the committee responsible for appropriating funds for transportation programs, explains the funds allocated for the Gateway Program will advance a project that is critical to the U.S. economy.
Progress continues for new accessible Schenectady Station
Demolition of the Schenectady Station is underway. The new, fully accessible rail station, which will connect travelers to places like New York City and Niagara Falls, has a projected cost of $23 million.
House Appropriations Committee THUD bill: TIGER eliminated; preserves other grants
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill July 10.