Koppers completes Osmose Wood Preservation and Railroad Services acquisition
Koppers Inc., has completed its acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.
Pennsylvania updates 12-year transport plan; awards funds to 39 freight projects
The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission (STC), building on the Act 89 transportation plan, has updated Pennsylvania’s 12-Year Transportation Program with a $22-billion boost in much needed transportation improvements.
Agreement reached for Northcoast Railroad TIGER grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and New Hampshire reached an agreement concerning a $1.4-million Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) 2013 grant for the New Hampshire Northcoast Rail Improvement Project, which will repair and improve sections of the rail line between Ossipee and Rochester.
Maryland allocates $100 million to state transit systems
In an effort to increase transit ridership, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is releasing nearly $100 million in grants for Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS).
All Aboard Florida plans Quiet Zone from Hallandale to West Palm Beach
All Aboard Florida and the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), in coordination with the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, has secured funding for a continuous quiet zone between the city of Hallandale Beach and downtown West Palm Beach along the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC).
CTA awards contract for Brown and Purple Line trackwork
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the second phase of a major $71.2-million Brown and Purple Line renovation project with a $40.3-million contract award to Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which will upgrade tracks along the Brown and Purple Line between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.
Illinois Railway votes in favor of BLET representation
Illinois Railway voted to make the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) the designated collective bargaining representative for its 21 train and engine service employees; the election results were certified by the National Mediation Board on August 7.
STB approves second phase of California HSR route; ARCADIS awarded PCM contract
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) granted authorization to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to construct a 114-mile segment of the planned 800-mile route between Fresno and Bakersfield, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.
Another OC Bridges grade crossing moves to the completed column
The $64-million Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project in Irving, Calif., part of Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) OC Bridges program, is now open.
Batory elected to X Train Board of Directors
The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), Board of Directors elected Ronald Batory as a director.
CTA considering two Red Line extension options
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has narrowed down the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) Project to two preliminary options.
UP plans Iowa trackwork; celebrates best-ever derailment safety performance
Union Pacific will strengthen Iowa’s transportation infrastructure by investing $6 million in the rail line between Burt and Goldfield, Iowa. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 25 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-October.
Officials visit Ottawa’s Confederation Line tunnel to view progress
On August 11, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Royal Galipeau, member of Parliament (Ottawa–Orléans) and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson toured the Confederation Line light-rail transit tunnel to see progress that has been made since mining began in October 2013.
MWAA names new chief of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected Charles Stark as the new executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, overseeing construction of the 11.4-mile Phase 2 extension of the Silver Line from Reston, Va., through Washington Dulles International Airport to Ashburn in Loudoun County, Va.
Etherton to serve as interim AREMA chief
Larry Etherton, PE, retired director engineering, Norfolk Southern and former president of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA), has assumed the role of interim executive director and chief executive officer of AREMA.
Darr to lead ASLRRA
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has selected Linda Bauer Darr as president, succeeding Richard Timmons, who is retiring at the end of 2014.
Santa Clara VTA awards project contracts, considers sales tax measure
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Board of Directors awarded an $86.8-million contract to McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., for the design and construction of the parking structures for VTA’s future Berryessa and Milpitas Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension stations.
KCS names VP intermodal; AVP mechanical operations
Kansas City Southern named Erik Hansen vice president intermodal and Daniel Bozung assistant vice president mechanical operations.
CTA awarded federal Core Capacity funds for red, purple line modernization
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) a $35-million Core Capacity grant to lay the groundwork to improve service and capacity on a heavily-traveled segment of its aging North Red Line and Purple Line rail transit system.
Caltrain Board approves capital budget
Caltrain’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a $43.6-million capital budget, which will provide funding for bridge repair work in San Mateo, new safety improvements on the rail system and station modifications to allow for longer trains.