Watco names SVP finance
Watco Transportation Services named Joe King senior vice president of finance. King will lead the teams of finance, accounting, revenue accounting and the SAP Team.
Amtrak Vermonter makes inaugural run on Knowledge Corridor
Massachusetts Gov.Deval Patrick joined Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA-1) and James McGovern (D-MA-3), Massachusetts Department of Transportation Acting Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Frank DePaola, local elected officials and community members Dec. 22 for the inaugural run of Amtrak‘s Vermonter service on the Knowledge Corridor.
CHSRA reaches settlement with Bakersfield; plans for groundbreaking ceremony
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has reached a settlement agreement with the city of Bakersfield, Calif., which will result in the dismissal of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation over the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Fresno to Bakersfield project section of the high-speed rail program.
CP’s Hunter Harrison is 2015 Railroader of the Year
Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific E. Hunter Harrison has been named 2015 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age.
KCS’ Starling issues annual “State of the Railroad” memo
“This year, the Kansas City Southern management team refined the company’s vision, restating it to be the leading transportation provider both within and between the U.S. and Mexico by consistently providing superior value to our customers, offering challenging careers to our employees and increasing value to our shareholders,” stated KCS’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Starling in his annual “State of the Railroad” memo.
NCDOT issues state rail plan executive summary
In anticipation of the January 2015 release of the Draft North Carolina Comprehensive State Rail Plan, the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has issued the Plan’s Executive Summary.
President Obama signs legislation extending shortline tax credit extension and enacting omnibus spending bill
President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.
HART reveals cost containment strategy; opens bids for first package of station contracts
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is taking several steps to reduce costs and explore new revenue sources in an effort to address what it sees as financial challenges ahead.
HDR selected for D.C. to Richmond HSR environmental impact statement
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has selected HDR to provide a Tier II Environmental Impact Statement for proposed high-speed rail to improve passenger rail service and alleviate congestion between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va.
Silver Line Phase Two receives approval for $598 million in TIFIA loans
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) closed a $403-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for Fairfax County and a $195 million TIFIA loan for Loudoun County to fund construction of Phase Two of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Silver Line extension.
Sound Transit Board approves 2015 budget
The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2015 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, anticipates carrying more than 32 million riders and prepares for a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.
Meeting held to discuss Connell Rail Interchange
Approximately 30 people attended a meeting December 15 in Moses Lake, Wash., to discuss the Connell Rail Interchange, a key rail interchange in Eastern Washington where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF’s Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs between Spokane and Pasco, Wash.
Coos Bay Rail Link, San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad general managers named
ARG Transportation Services’ Coos Bay Rail Link Director of Rail Operations Darrell Rodley and San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad Manager of Operations Richard Archunde have been promoted to general managers of their respective companies, effective January 1.
Boxhold appointed FDOT secretary
Jim Boxold has been named Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, (FDOT) effective January 3, 2015.
Canadian government introduces new crossing regulations
The Canadian government introduced new regulations to help prevent accidents and improve railway safety.
New York awards funding to 12 rail projects
New York State awarded $17.8 million in funding from the State’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to 12 rail projects that will repair and replace 65 miles of track and ties, rehabilitate grade crossings and bridges and construct new connections to improve safety and operations.
Congress approves extension of 45G tax credit for 2014
Congress approved the extension of the Section 45G shortline tax credit to cover all of the 2014 tax year.
Second Avenue Subway Station shell at 86th Street complete
Metropolitan Transportation Authority‘s Second Avenue Subway construction has reached a milestone with the on-time completion of the 86th Street Station cavern.
Four South Dakota rail projects receive $56 million in funds from public-private partnerships
Four rail projects in South Dakota have received $56 million in public and private funds.
CSX opens Montreal intermodal terminal
CSX opened a new intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield near Montreal, QC.