Koppers signs rail joint contracts with Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific
Koppers Inc. has signed long-term contracts with Norfolk Southern (three years) and Union Pacific (five years) for bonded rail joint assemblies.
SacRT GM/CEO Wiley to retire earlier than planned
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mike Wiley plans to accelerate his retirement date from December 2016 up to August 1, 2016, when Henry Li takes over the position.
STB takes action against CSX to keep Elsdon Line crossings clear
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has ordered CSX to not allow a train to enter the Elsdon Line on the Chicago’s south side unless the line is clear. This ruling is effective immediately and is the result of legal action against CSX for repeatedly blocking grade crossings along the Elsdon railroad line in violation of federally imposed requirements.
Union Pacific plans tie replacement project in Montana
Union Pacific plans to invest $1.7 million in 2016 to improve its transportation infrastructure in Montana, which will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
Reading & Northern promotes three to VP positions
As reported by Railway Age, Reading and Northern Railroad has promoted three veteran employees to Vice President positions at the company.
St. Louis to study three potential MetroLink routes
In St. Louis, Mo., studies have been planned to evaluate three potential MetroLink routes in St. Louis County, pending approval by city council. The routes were identified in the region’s long-range transportation plan developed by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments based on public input.
R.J. Corman’s King to retire
After nearly four years of dedicated service to R.J. Corman Railroad Group, Craig King he retire from his position as president and chief executive officer and will be assuming a seat on the board of directors.
LACMTA adopts FY 2017 budget; releases DEIR for Airport Connector 96th Street Transit Station
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors approved a $5.66-billion budget for fiscal year 2017. The adopted budget represents over a two percent decrease from FY16 budget — even with the addition of new rail services, rising costs and new projects and programs.
Sound Transit sends light-rail expansion plan to November ballot
The Sound Transit Board has capped three and a half years of discussion and public input by unanimously voting to send voters a final Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure for consideration in November. The plan’s proposals include completion of a regional light-rail network as the area’s population grows an estimated 800,000 by 2040.
FRA’s preliminary report on Mosier derailment points to broken bolts as cause
A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) preliminary report of the June 3 Union Pacific oil train derailment near Mosier, Ore., found broken lag bolts that led to gauge widening to be the cause of the accident.
Meridian Speedway to receive tie, crossing and rail work
Meridian Speedway, LLC (MSLLC), a joint venture between Kansas City Southern (KCS) and Norfolk Southern (NS) for a 320-mile rail line between Meridian, Miss. and Shreveport, La., will invest approximately $28 million in 2016 on construction and improvement projects on its Vicksburg and Meridian Subdivisions.
Additional GO Transit stations proposed for east Toronto
Ontario has proposed four new GO Train stations along the Stouffville and Lakeshore East GO Transit lines as part of Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER) program.
Union Pacific plans $2.1 million investment in Wisconsin
Union Pacific plans to invest $2.1 million in 2016 to improve its transportation infrastructure in Wisconsin, enhancing employee, community and customer safety and increasing rail operating efficiency.
New passenger concourse opens at Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Mark Gottlieb joined federal, state and local officials and partners June 22 to celebrate the completion of the $22-million reconstruction of the train passenger concourse at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (MIS).
Leader named COO of WMATA
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) named Joseph Leader as the new chief operating officer (COO) in charge of rail, bus and paratransit services, effective August 1.
Four new GO Transit stations proposed in West Toronto
Ontario has proposed four new GO Train stations along the Barrie and Kitchener GO Transit lines as part of Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER) program.
WMATA completes weather tight seals on third rail power feeds early
An accelerated project timeline has resulted in all of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) underground weather tight seals located on third rail power feeds and jumper cables have been successfully being installed ahead of schedule.
Union Pacific plans $10 million investment in Minnesota infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $9.9 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Minnesota, enhancing employee, community and customer safety and increasing rail operating efficiency.
Voters to decide several MARTA projects fate in November
The Atlanta City Council has voted unanimously to include a menu of significant Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) transit improvement projects on a Nov. 8 ballot referendum, which if approved would fund many MARTA projects with a half-penny sales tax levy that would raise an estimated $2.5 billion over the next 40 years.
Ontario plans 12-mile GO Transit extension to Durham Region
Ontario is extending GO Transit’s Lakeshore East rail corridor to offer new GO train service from Oshawa to Bowmanville, extending the GO train network by nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) and building four new stations.