The T Board approves pre-construction services and rail vehicles contracts for TEX Rail
The Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) approved two contracts related to TEX Rail.
J. Reilly McCarren, 1956-2015
J. Reilly McCarren, one of the most accomplished and respected railroaders of the past 35 years, died April 26, 2015 at his Kenilworth, Ill., home after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.
Ontario moves ahead with Finch West Light Rail Transit project
Ontario is moving ahead with the $1.2-billion Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, a priority transit investment in the city of Toronto that will bring much-needed rapid transit to communities along Finch Avenue West.
UP achieves record first-quarter employee safety rate
Union Pacific employees achieved record first-quarter safety performance with a reportable injury rate of 0.85, demonstrating ongoing progress toward the company’s ultimate goal of zero incidents.
MWAA: Silver Line costs increase due to design modification
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) says that design modifications made to enhance the safety and reliability of the Metrorail Silver Line, along with remaining work to finalize Phase 1 of the overall project, will add $76 million, or about 2.6 percent, to the previously announced Phase 1 cost. The new Phase 1 cost remains within the original federally approved Phase 1 budget.
CHSRA, Palmdale enter into station-area planning agreement
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Palmdale, Calif., have entered into a station-area funding agreement, allowing the city and CHSRA to initiate the planning process for the proposed high-speed rail station adjacent to the civic center and the Palmdale Transportation Center (PTC). This agreement allows both parties to study ways to promote economic development, encourage station area development and enhance multimodal connections between the station and the city.
New crossing funds; safety blitzes to draw focus on safety during Canada’s Rail Safety Week
As part of Rail Safety Week in Canada April 27 through May 3, Canadian National has launched its annual public awareness campaign stressing the deadly risks of trespassing on railway tracks and property. In 2014, there were 58 trespasser accidents in Canada that caused 36 fatalities and 21 serious injuries.
RRIF loan to help Metro-North, LIRR install PTC
The Federal Railroad Administration has approved a Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan of $967.1 million to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which will finance the installment of positive train control on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad (Metro North).
Met Council says delays have cost Southwest LRT project $341 million
Analysis released by the Metropolitan Council (Met Council) concludes that test results and project delays have increased the cost of the Southwest LRT Project to $1.994 billion – a $341-million increase.
AAR marks another successful annual research review
The 20th Annual AAR Research Review was held March 31-April 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Hotel Elegante. The review brought approximately 550 attendees to the event, which had a theme of “Research Innovation for Current and Future Needs of North American Railways.”
Metrolinx moving forward with plans for Caledonia GO Station
Metrolinx is moving forward with plans to add a new GO station on the Barrie GO Line at Eglinton Avenue West to serve the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Bentley issues call for submissions to 2015 Be Inspired awards
Bentley Systems, Inc., issued its call for submissions to the 2015 Be Inspired Awards program; the deadline for entries is May 31, 2015.
Massachusetts Gov. Baker files MBTA reform bill
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed “An Act for a Reliable, Sustainable MBTA,” acting on many of the recommendations made by the special panel that reported their findings earlier this month.
CSX name Oglesby resident VP of state government affairs for three northeast states
CSX appointed Rodney Oglesby to resident vice president of state government affairs for Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City.
NCDOT selects operator for Piedmont & Northern
After a competitive solicitation for proposals to operate the state-owned Piedmont & Northern (P&N) railroad line between Gastonia and Mt. Holly, N.C., the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has selected Piedmont Railway, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, as the best candidate to operate the rail line.
IDOT launches statewide listening tour to discuss Illinois infrastructure needs
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in conjunction with the Illinois Capital Development Board, has started a series of listening sessions to discuss the state’s infrastructure needs and the steps required “to make sure the right investments are being made to keep Illinois competitive in a 21st century global economy.” The meetings will be held in multiple communities throughout the state over the next month, with a goal of presenting Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office with a comprehensive package of recommendations for consideration this spring.
Maestri and Martίnez assume new responsibilities for Norfolk Southern; Wimbush retires
Bruno Maestri and Robert Martίnez will assume additional responsibilities for Norfolk Southern, following the retirement of F. Blair Wimbush, the railroad’s vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer. The changes take effect May 1, 2015.
Another PTC extension bill enters the fray
Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced their version of a Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill that joins a similar effort introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).
Five teams to bid on fourth construction package for California high-speed rail
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) received five qualified bids for Construction Package 4 (CP4) – the next 22-mile mile phase of construction through the counties of Tulare and Kern and the cities of Wasco and Shafter.
RailComm installs shove track protection system
RailComm has completed the implementation of a shove track protection system for a private coal mining facility located in Alabama. RailComm provided indication and detection subsystems, as well as wireless communications to keep both subsystems in communication.