RTD to begin Southeast Rail Extension in May
Construction on the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Southeast Rail Extension Project will break ground May 10.
Officials tour the new RTD maintenance facility
On May 3, 2016, U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman’s (R-CO-6) chief of staff and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-CO-4) regional director joined the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Inc. (REMSA), for a tour of a new commuter rail maintenance facility (CRMF).
CN joins Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition
Canadian National has joined the Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition (MIPSDC) to provide strategic and marketing support to the development of the Midwest Inland Port in Decatur, Ill.
HNTB adds Haboian as SVP and chief business development officer; Giamario to New Jersey office
Kevin Haboian has joined HNTB Corporation in the new position of chief business development officer and senior vice president, where he will support the firm’s growth within the transportation sector across the United States.
Union Pacific to invest $513 million in Texas
Union Pacific plans to invest $513 million in 2016 to improve Texas’s transportation infrastructure, which the Class 1 says will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency.
ASLRRA installs new board leadership
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) installed Judy Petry, president and general manager of Farmrail System, as its new chairman. Peter Claussen, Jr., president of the Gulf & Ohio Railways, was selected as the new vice-chairman of the association, filling the role Petry previously held.
Crenshaw/LAX tunnel boring machine begins work
The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM), Harriet, began digging the first of two twin-tunnels beneath Crenshaw Boulevard last week.
APTA: Melaniphy quits; White named interim head
Michael P. Melaniphy has resigned as President and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association, effective April 29. APTA Vice President-Member Services Richard A. White is Acting President and CEO until a permanent replacement is selected.
CHSRA acquires radio spectrum required for train communications
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received final approval to acquire exclusive rights to the radio spectrum needed to operate future communications systems for its trains.
Progress Rail acquires Inspired Systems
Progress Rail Services Corp., has acquired Inspired Systems Pty Ltd; a move that will expand its rail signaling offerings, according to the company.
USDOT picks new WMATA board members to tackle safety culture
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has appointed three new Federal representatives, each with considerable expertise in safety, to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) board of directors.
CHSRA Board of Directors adopts 2016 Business Plan
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Business Plan, which lays out an approach to sequencing the Phase 1 system that will ultimately connect the San Francisco Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin via the Central Valley with high-speed passenger rail service. The plan will now be delivered to the legislature by May 2.
Gov. Baker evaluates MBTA infrastructure upgrades
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker recently visited a Keolis work site in Ashland, Mass., to review the progress on infrastructure upgrades the Massachusetts Bay Transporation Authority (MBTA) is making as part of a larger effort the MBTA, its Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) and leadership are making to improve service, access, accountability and reliability for riders and taxpayers.
Dallas City Council names long-time DART VP to board
Former Dallas Area Rapid Transit Vice President of Marketing and Communications and current Richland College faculty member Sue Bauman has been appointed to the DART Board of Directors by the Dallas City Council.
FRA makes $25 million available for rail infrastructure safety upgrades
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is now accepting applications from local governments, states and railroads for $25 million in competitive grants to increase rail safety. Applications are due by June 14, 2016.
Lodestar Energy Group to develop new multimodal site
Lodestar Energy Group (LEG) is developing a new multimodal site at the Gulf Inland Logistics Park near Dayton, Texas. The site will contain two facilities: a rail-served Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a complementary rail car storage yard.
Metra meets on-time goal for 13th consecutive month
Chicago’s Metra completed its 13th straight month of meeting or exceeding its on-time performance goal in March 2016, posting an on-time performance rate of 96.8 percent for the month. The rate exceeded the five-year average for the month of March of 96.3 percent.
US Rep. Brad Ashford tours Iowa steel company
On April 25, U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford (D-NE-2) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) and GoRail member Paxton & Vierling Steel Co. (PVS) for a tour of its metal service center and structural fabrication facilities in Carter Lake, Iowa.
Gov. Nathan Deal signs MARTA expansion legislation
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed S.B. 369, a bill that empowers the city of Atlanta to hold a fall ballot referendum asking voters to support a half-penny sales tax to expand the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) system.
Canada celebrates Rail Safety Week
Although safety is always a focus, the Canadian railway industry celebrates Rail Safety Week April 25 through May 1.