KCS updates PTC progress; highlights Signal group
Kansas City Southern says that implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology is a major, ongoing initiative, especially for the Signal, Mechanical, Telecommunications and IT groups.
CN, Canadian m/w employees ratify four-year agreement
Canadian National and members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union Local 2004 have ratified a four-year labor agreement covering approximately 3,000 maintenance-of-way employees who inspect, maintain and repair CN’s track, bridges and structures in Canada. The new agreement was reached prior to the expiration of the previous agreement and is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015.
Rush named SVP safety & operations; VanderClute retires
The Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Senior Vice President of Safety and Operations Robert VanderClute has retired.
LIRR plans Mid-Suffolk Yard expansion
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) opened the Mid-Suffolk Train Yard Information Center at Ronkonkoma Station so customers and community residents can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for enlarging its train yard in Ronkonkoma.
First FTA safety investigator suits up
George Good, Jr., the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) first full-time safety investigator recently began according to a blog post to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Fast Lane.”
Metra names top administrative officer
Metra has appointed John Milano to deputy executive director for administration, effective Feb. 1.
Construction kicks off for New Orleans streetcar project
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) officials, Mayor Mitchell Landrieu and city council members gathered Jan. 28 to kick off the construction on the 1.6-mile North Rampart Street/St. Claude Avenue Streetcar Project, which will connect the French Quarter and Treme to Canal Street and Loyola Avenue via the network of streetcar lines in the city.
Amtrak commits $12 million to renovate Chicago Union Station
Amtrak has made a commitment of $12 million to continue renovations of Chicago’s 90-year-old Union Station. In the coming weeks and months, Chicago Mayor Emanuel will work in coordination with the federal government, the state of Illinois, Metra and Amtrak to facilitate a complete overhaul of Union Station that will require a multi-year, $500-million investment.
Sen. Sanders wants $1 trillion for nation’s infrastructure
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the Senate Budget Committee ranking member, has introduced legislation to rebuild America’s crumbling network of roads, bridges and transit systems and other infrastructure projects. The five-year plan would invest $1 trillion and create or maintain at least 13 million decent-paying jobs, says Sanders.
Ned Snead, founder of GREX, 1929-2015
Edwin de Steiguer (Ned) Snead, the founder and chairman emeritus of Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX), passed away January 22, 2015 in Georgetown, Texas, at the age of 85.
UP, Metra activate new pedestrian crossing system at Wheaton, Ill., station
A new pedestrian grade-crossing system was activated at the Wheaton, Ill., Metra station along the Union Pacific West Line on January 26. The system was activated at the Maywood, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue, Winfield and Geneva stations in 2011.
Parsons Brinckerhoff, WSP get three-year extension of Waterloo light-rail contract
In Ontario, Canada, the Region of Waterloo voted to exercise a three-year option to extend its existing light-rail transit contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff and WSP.
Minnesota Gov. Dayton reveals plan to fix state infrastructure
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a plan to fix Minnesota’s aging transportation systems, which would invest $6 billion over the next 10 years to address the state’s highway funding deficit, invest $2.356 billion in local government transportation projects and provide $2.92 billion for Metro and Greater Minnesota transit systems. The Governor’s proposal would create an estimated 119,000 new jobs and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.
Potash Ridge, Watco enter agreement on construction and rail service
Potash Ridge Corporation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Watco Companies for activities related to the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) of a loading facility and shortline railroad to service the Blawn Mountain Project in Utah.
RailComm upgrades Louisville yard
A North American Class 1 railroad with a large switching yard located in Louisville, Ky., has chosen to upgrade their existing RailComm yard control system.
NS plans $2.4 billion capital expenditure program in 2015
Norfolk Southern is targeting a $2.4-billion capital expenditure program in 2015 the railroad revealed during its fourth-quarter and full-year 2014 results presentation. This year’s program reflects a $277-million increase over the railroad’s 2014 program.
CFE takes on track project to improve freight congestion
The Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE) is planning a track improvement project enabling 40-mph train speeds across the entire 315-mile rail line from Tolleston, Ind., to Crestline, Ohio.
ACE celebrates completion of Baldwin Avenue grade separation
Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority (ACE) completed major construction on a four-lane roadway underpass and a two-track railroad bridge carrying freight trains over Baldwin Avenue, north of Valley Boulevard in the City of El Monte, Calif.
Study of Chicago RTA shows region’s public transport infrastructure needs $36 billion
According to a study released by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), mass transit providers in Northeastern Illinois do not receive the funds necessary from federal and state sources to address reinvestment needs.
Union Pacific employees achieve best-ever annual safety performance
Union Pacific says its 2014 annual employee safety performance was the best in company history. Employees achieved a 0.98 reportable injury rate, surpassing the previous record established in 2012.