Second Ave. Subway opens, as promised
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) celebrated the Second Avenue Subway line’s inaugural ride on New Year’s Eve.
MTA’s Prendergast to retire “in early 2017”
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast will retire in early 2017 according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Draft SEIS/SEIR released for final six miles of BART Silicon Valley extension
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) and the Federal Transit Administration have released a draft state and federal document addressing the final six miles of the SCVTA BART Silicon Valley extension’s second phase.
Ground breaking ceremony held for New Mexico rail park
Officials broke ground on a new rail park hailed as a potentially transformational project for central New Mexico.
Illinois law doubles fines for grade-crossing warning scofflaws
Illinois will have the strictest penalties in the nation beginning Jan. 1, 2017 for vehicular offenses associated with attempting to cross railroad tracks after grade-crossing systems have activated.
Caterpillar names new CEO, makes executive appointments
Jim Umpleby will take the helm of Caterpillar Inc. Jan. 1, 2017 and three newly appointed executives will support him.
TriMet names rail expert as executive director of transportation
TriMet has hired Patrick Preusser as executive director of transportation where he will lead the transit agency’s Transportation Division.
Winners of 2016 NRC/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards announced
Recipients of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)/RT&S Contractor Safety Awards were announced in a Dec. 27 email, with more than half of contestants earning perfect scores.
Gordon Trafton joins Canadian Pacific’s board of directors
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has appointed Gordon Trafton to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2017.
HART sets final guideway segment
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) marked a construction milestone on Dec. 23 with the final guideway segment put in place.
First CSX trains roll through Virginia Ave. Tunnel
The Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington, D.C., hosted its first train on Dec. 23., marking the on-time completion of the first phase of the project.
Sound Transit’s $1.99B TIFIA loans to help build four rail projects
A $1.99 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) agreement between Sound Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will support the construction of three light-rail extensions and a maintenance facility.
Watco acquires Australia’s Intermodal Group Pty. Ltd.
Watco Companies (Watco) has acquired the majority shareholding in Intermodal Group Pty Ltd (IMG), effective Dec. 22.
FRA civil penalty rate sets new record
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.
Shortline executive David Parkinson dies at 78
Shortline railroad executive David L. Parkinson died Dec. 17 in Palm Desert, Calif., following a brief illness. He was 78 years old.
CREATE program, partners celebrate opening of 25th Avenue grade separation project
A new grade separation, part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, opened at 25th Avenue over Union Pacific’s line in Bellwood, Ill., on Dec. 22.
Study to assess possible expansion of KC Streetcar
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA), the Port KC and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) have selected the team that will conduct a study to assess the possible extension of the Kansas City Streetcar.
G3 to build rail-served grain export terminal at Port of Vancouver
G3 Terminal Vancouver, an affiliate of G3 Global Holdings (G3), has announced plans to build a modernized grain export terminal in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Illinois to Ohio passenger rail study to begin in January
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will begin an analysis in January 2017 of a proposal to bring passenger rail service between Chicago, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio.
Vermont rail tunnel project delayed for environmental analysis
A plan to replace two road bridges and build a rail tunnel in Middlebury, Vt., is being delayed in order for the project’s environmental impact to be studied.