Former CSX executive joins Hanson
Hanson Professional Services Inc. hired former CSX executive Chris Durden as a vice president and senior railway principal.
Sioux Falls, BNSF reach agreement on yard purchase
Negotiations have concluded between the city of Sioux Falls, S.D., and BNSF for the purchase of the downtown rail yard. The city has agreed to purchase more than 10 acres of the rail yard for $27,334,500, utilizing funds from the federal highway bill.
MTA Financial Plan generates new Capital Program funding
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) July 2015 Financial Plan will generate up to $2.4 billion worth of new funding for the 2015-19 Capital Program, due to unanticipated revenues, greater cost savings and more efficient operations.
Texas high-speed rail project names new CEO; gets $75 million boost
The Texas Central Partners (Texas Central) Board of Directors has appointed Tim Keith as the new chief executive officer for the organization effective immediately.
SENER gets contract for preliminary design of 45 miles of California high-speed project
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) awarded SENER the contract to develop the engineering and environmental services for the Palmdale to Burbank section of the California high-speed line.
ASLRRA boasts Senate progress on 45G
The Senate Finance Committee met to debate legislation put forward by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to extend expiring tax credits, including the Section 45G railroad track maintenance credit.
Harsco Rail moves intelligent solutions under Protran brand
Rail infrastructure and maintenance company Harsco Rail plans to move all technology products and services under the Protran Technology brand, including Zeta Tech.
FRA launches focused safety review of New York & Atlantic Railway
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has launched a comprehensive, focused safety review of the New York & Atlantic Railway’s (NY&A) safety culture and management practices.
CP appoints new chairpersons
Canadian Pacific has unanimously elected Andrew Reardon chairman of the board.
Jacobs awarded contract for California High-Speed Rail
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. was awarded a contract to provide design services for the Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3) of the California High Speed Rail, which represents the continuation of construction on the California high-speed rail system south towards Kern County.
Canada, South Korea sign MOU to cooperate on transportation initiatives
Lisa Raitt, Canada’s minister of transport, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Action Plan with South Korea to promote cooperation in the field of transport, with a focus on gateways, air and rail transportation activities.
Gov. Baker appoints five-member board to oversee MBTA fiscal overhaul
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appointed the five-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) and designated Joe Aiello as chair immediately after signing into law the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.
HART awards construction contract for West Oahu stations
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) officially awarded the contract to build the three stations in the West Oahu Station group to Nan, Inc.
The T appoints CFO/VP of Finance
The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) appointed Monica Fowler to chief financial officer and vice president of finance.
RTD staff recommends Balfour Beatty Infrastructure proposal for SE rail extension
Staff of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) recommended that the RTD Board of Directors move forward with a proposal from Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension on July 14.
Ontario Northland ratifies five-year agreement with Teamsters Rail
Northland Transportation Commission (Ontario Northland) and Teamsters Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) ratified a new five-year collective agreement with 94 percent of the vote was in favor of the agreement.
U.S. House transportation funding: Another deadline, another extension
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a five-month, $8-billion extension of surface transportation programs on July 15. The new extension would give lawmakers until Dec. 18 to find a longer-term solution.
Sound Transit completes environmental review for Lynnwood light-rail extension
The Federal Transit Administration issued its formal Record of Decision (ROD) for Sound Transit‘s Lynnwood Link extension, which will extend light-rail from the Northgate neighborhood in Seattle to Lynnwood in Snohomish County.
Five-year extension signed for tax that helps fund Honolulu rail project
Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed into law a five-year extension authorizing counties to continue the half-percentage point surcharge on state tax to continue funding the Honolulu’s $6-billion rail transit project. The surcharge will be effective until Dec. 31, 2027.