Union Pacific capital plan includes $34.1-million investment in Idaho rail infrastructure
As a part of its $3.1-billion capital plan for 2017, Union Pacific says it will boost safety and efficiency in Idaho with a $34.1-million investment.
Michael Baker promotes Don Sepulveda
Don Sepulveda has been promoted to vice president and deputy national market lead in the Railroad and Transit Practice for Michael Baker International’s West region.
Union Pacific to invest $36 million in Colorado rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $36 million into its Colorado infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.
LACMTA TBM for Regional Connector Project breaks through
Four months after its launch in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the underground wall of the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station.
Canada commits funds to Toronto Relief Line
The government of Canada pledged CA$27 million (US$19.54 million) toward Toronto’s planned Relief Line, but the city’s Mayor John Tory requested a provincial financial commitment to secure the project’s future.
Maryland takes steps to slow Purple Line progress
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn has ordered a suspension of new contracts, hiring and non-essential procurements for the Purple Line project citing recent litigation.
FRA, FTA award $197 million in grants for PTC on passenger rail
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $197 million in grants last week to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads implement Positive Train Control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
Union Pacific continues PTC progress
Union Pacific (UP) continues its efforts to implement positive train control (PTC). The Class 1 released a progress report citing its accomplishments in the first quarter of 2017.
WMATA resumes normal rush-hour service after SafeTrack, continues preventative maintenance
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.
Caltrain to use $21 million federal grant for PTC systems
Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.
Caltrain will use the grant to fund improvements to the PTC system that will enable operations south of San Jose on Union Pacific dispatch territory. The PTC solution Caltrain already has in progress is a Communications-Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS). The grants under this program will be used to install PTC technology, including back office systems and wayside, communications, and onboard hardware equipment associated with railroads’ PTC systems.
“PTC is vitally necessary given how many people ride Caltrain every day,” said Caltrain General Manager & CEO Jim Hartnett. “This funding will ensure that our riders will continue to get to their destinations safely and securely.”
Cleveland RTA breaks ground on new Campus Station
Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.
LA Metro approves $6.1B budget
The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the agency’s $6.1 billion budget for fiscal 2018.
The balanced budget increases spending by 1.4 percent over fiscal 2017.
GWI completes acquisition of Heart of Georgia Railroad
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., completed its acquisition of the shares of Atlantic Western Transportation, Inc., parent company of Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc. (HOG).
Union Pacific to invest $85 million in Illinois rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.
Amtrak speeds Penn Station infrastructure renewal with schedule changes
Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.
Twin Eagle to expand Permian Rail Park
Twin Eagle Sand Logistics, LLC (Twin Eagle), a subsidiary of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, outlined plans to expand the Permian Rail Park near Big Springs, Texas.
GE leads group in Nigeria rail bid
A consortium led by General Electric and including Transnet, South Africa, has been named preferred bidder by the government of Nigeria government for a concession to rehabilitate, finance and operate Nigerian Railways’ 2178-mile network.
Former UTU official Bruce Wigent passes away
Former United Transportation Union (UTU) Vice President Bruce Wigent passed away on May 25. He was 73 years old.
KCS adds four new members to its board of directors
Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it will add four new directors to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The new directors bring the board to 12 members, of which 11 are independent.
G&W appoints President and CEO Hellmann as chairman
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., (G&W) announced that John C. Hellmann, president and CEO, was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors.