Union Pacific installs new Bayou Lafourche bridge
Union Pacific completed installation of a new bridge at Bayou Lafourche in Donaldsonville, La., over the weekend.
FTA says “significant work” remains to improve WMATA
Despite the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) recently announced safety enhancement initiatives, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Executive Director Matthew Welbes is calling for more heavy lifting on the transportation authority’s end.
Vossloh acquires Rocla Concrete Tie
Vossloh has acquired Rocla Concrete Tie, a manufacturer of concrete ties, switch ties, concrete low vibration track blocks and crossing panels.
Chicago City Council approves TIF district to support CTA Red, Purple Line projects
The Chicago City Council has approved the use of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district to allocate funding needed for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM).
UNLV awarded funds to establish high-speed rail UTC
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), will establish a new University Transportation Center (UTC) to study rail infrastructure with funds from a federal grant.
Harris-Gifford to design rail and transit systems for WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff (WSP) has named Michael Harris-Gifford as a senior principal technical specialist for organization’s the Orange, Calif., office.
Harsco Rail makes sale of rail grinders for contract programs
Harsco Rail, Harsco Corporation’s railway track maintenance division, has announced new sales of its track grinders throughout North America for service in contract rail grinding programs.
WMATA maintenance practices questioned in NTSB Falls Church derailment report
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its accident report on the July 2016 derailment of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train traversing a crossover in the East Falls Church interlocking.
B&P Tunnel FEIS released
The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been released for the B&P Tunnel replacement project, which would rebuild this critical link on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that was originally built in 1873.
LACMTA Board certifies FEIR for LAX people mover
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors has voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for its Airport Metro Connector 96th Street Station.
Alstom receives N.Y. state funds to expand Hornell facility
New York state funds totaling at $30 million will go toward Alstom Transportation, Inc.’s $66 million expansion project, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Nov. 30.
GWI completes acquisition of Australia’s GRail
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) announced Dec. 1 that Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA) has acquired Glencore Rail (GRail) for A$1.14 billion (US$844.9 million) and issued a 49-percent equity stake in GWA for clients and funds handled by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
WMATA launches new reliability plan: Back2Good
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rolled out a new initiative aimed at boosting service.
Construction kicks off on $700M North Coast Corridor Project
Federal, state and local officials participated in a ground breaking ceremony for the first phase of the North Coast Corridor (NCC) Program, which will make $700 million in infrastructure improvements over the next five years.
Hoffman Construction awarded contract to build Sound Transit’s Roosevelt Station
Sound Transit, the Greater Seattle area’s regional transportation system, has awarded a contract to Hoffman Construction Company to begin building its Roosevelt Station in early 2017.
DBi Services acquires Mercier’s
DBi Services, a global provider of infrastructure operations and maintenance, has acquired the assets of the Ohio-based company Mercier’s Inc., effective Nov. 29.
Hoffrichter named executive director of Michigan State rail program
Dr. Andreas Hoffrichter has been named executive director of Michigan State University’s Railway Management Certificate Program. Hoffrichter succeeds Steve Ditmeyer who retired in December 2015.
Metra polishes its winter readiness plan
As forecasters continue to warn the Chicago area of an exceptionally cold and snowy winter, Metra has completed preparations for the likely challenging season ahead.
Chao Trump’s DOT Secretary choice
President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.
Succession at CM&Q
Two senior executives at Central Maine & Quebec Railway—John E. Giles and Ryan Ratledge—will assume new responsibilities come Jan. 1, 2017.