Canada Line celebrates 200 millionth passenger
Just five years into service, the Canada Line in Vancouver, B.C., was recognized for its 200 millionth passenger November 1.
V3 Companies hires new director of railroad services
Ted Niemeyer, P.E., has joined V3 Companies as its director of railroad services, heading up its Railroad Engineering Practice.
Connecticut approves Norwalk bridge replacement funds
The Connecticut State Bond Commission has approved more than $53 million for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) to begin work to replace the 118-year-old Walk Bridge in Norwalk.
NTSB issues report on organizational factors in Metro North accidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a special investigation report on common organizational factors in five Metro North Railroad accidents between May 2013 and March 2014.
Watco names two to safety leadership positions
Watco Transportation Services has promoted Ron Martin to vice president of transportation safety and training and Michael Smith to director of engineering safety and training.
NYCT to begin switch replacement project on Brighton Line
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) will be performing a major switch renewal and maintenance-related work on the B, Q and F lines in Brooklyn for two consecutive weeks beginning November 21 until December 1.
Sound Transit launches second Northgate Link tunnel boring machine
The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) mining Sound Transit light-rail tunnels from the Northgate neighborhood in Seattle, Wash., to the University of Washington launched November 20.
CANARAIL awarded contract to study feasibility of Quebec rail line
The province of Quebec awarded a contract to CANARAIL to perform a feasibility study of a new 310-kilometer (192-mile) long railway from Sept-Iles to the Labrador Trough.
HART receives $48.5 million in GET revenue for rail construction
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) received $48.5 million in General Excise and Use Tax (GET) surcharge revenue this past quarter for construction of the Honolulu rail project.
CTA approves 2015 balanced budget and 2015-2019 Capital Program
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board unanimously approved a balanced $1.44-billion budget for 2015 that freezes fares and improves transit service levels, while continuing historic investment in projects and programs to modernize regional transit and improve the customer transit experience.
BNSF outlines $6 billion Capital Expenditure Program for 2015
BNSF ‘s planned capital expenditures for 2015 will be $6 billion, which will go toward maintenance and expansion of the railroad in order to meet the expected demand for freight rail service.
Hamberger: healthy freight rail network vital to economy
Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer, Edward Hamberger recently said that a strong and robust freight rail network is needed to meet the country’s transforming business challenges head on.
GWI acquires Arkansas shortlines
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) late Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014 announced it “has signed an agreement with Pinsly Railroad Company of Westfield, Mass., to acquire certain subsidiaries that constitute Pinsly’s Arkansas Division (‘Pinsly Arkansas’) for $40 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital.”
MTA preps network for winter wallop
As the season for cold and snowy weather approaches, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) is ready for winter operations. NYCT said it is leaning on lessons from the 2013-2014 winter that brought 14 significant storms and more than 50 inches of snow.
UP performing Colorado track project
Union Pacific will strengthen Colorado’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $11 million in the rail line between Sterling and near Messex, Colo. The project, which is funded entirely by Union Pacific, began November 8 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.
Haigh to leave Metropolitan Council
Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh decided to conclude her service as chair in order to focus her energies on her full-time position as president and chief executive officer of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Haigh notified Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton of her decision and agreed to remain in her current position until a successor is named.
Central Maine & Quebec Railway names new CFO
Central Maine & Quebec Railway appointed Harold Tynes as chief financial officer, effective November 10, succeeding Sachi Mishra.
Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson propose rail line transaction
Norfolk Southern and the Delaware & Hudson Railway (D&H), a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, have proposed a transaction under which NS would acquire 282.55 miles of D&H rail line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y. The $217-million is subject to the approval by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.
Amtrak asks STB to investigate NS, CSX on freight interference between Chicago and Washington, D.C.
In a complaint filed on Nov. 17, Amtrak is asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate Norfolk Southern and CSX for causing delays for passengers traveling between Chicago and Washington, D.C., on the Capitol Limited service.
UP to improve Illinois line between West Chicago and Franklin Grove
Union Pacific will strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure by investing $12 million in the rail line between West Chicago and Franklin Grove. The project began October 1 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.