KCS changes operations department organization
Kansas City Southern (KCS) made several organizational changes within the operations department.
Watco makes management appointments to WSOR; Grand Elk Railroad
Watco Transportation Services appointed Larry McCloud to general manager for the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR). He will be responsible for the daily operations, specifically focusing on improving safety, productivity and efficiency.
NRC names Safety Committee chair
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC), appointed Christian Jostlein, safety manager at Holland LP, as the new chairman of the NRC Safety Committee. Jostlein replaces outgoing Chair Tammy Mathews, corporate safety, health & environmental director at RailWorks Corporation, after her successful term as chair expired.
Construction for Detroit streetcar begins
Construction crews took to Woodward Avenue in Detroit July 28 to start construction activities on the city’s new 3.3-mile modern streetcar line, M-1 RAIL.
MTA plans to invest in additional safety measures
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to implement a series of new and enhanced safety initiatives to better ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
New mayor pulls support for San Antonio streetcar project
The city of San Antonio, Texas and Bexar County have withdrawn support of the proposed $280-million VIA Modern Streetcar Project, instead asking VIA to develop a new transportation proposal that could be taken to area voters.
UP performing $8 million worth of work in Kansas
Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $8 million in the rail line between Herington and Whitewater. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began July 16 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
Denver Union Station reopens as transit hub
Denver’s historic Union Station officially reopened to the public on July 26, 2014, after being closed for extensive renovations on December 2, 2012.
WMATA officially opens Silver Line for service
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) rail system grew 10 percent with five new stations and new direct rail service between the Washington D.C. region’s two largest employment centers, all as a result of the opening of the Silver Line’s first phase.
WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles joined federal, state and local officials for the grand opening ceremony July 25 at Wiehle-Reston East Station.
SNC-Lavalin names Rivard EVP infrastructure engineering
SNC-Lavalin Group appointed Marc Rivard to the role of executive vice president infrastructure engineering, within the company’s Infrastructure Group. SNC-Lavalin’s Infrastructure Group addresses the full life cycle of infrastructure and includes its infrastructure concession investment, engineering, construction and operations and maintenance businesses.
Report outlines short-term fixes to better Walk Bridge
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) released a report outlining recommendations for short-term fixes to improve the reliability of the New Haven Line’s Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk, Conn.
Tucson Sun Link streetcar opens for service
The Tucson Sun Link streetcar line in Arizona opened to the public on July 25. Service will be supported by six streetcars seven days a week.
North Carolina, Ohio crossings to see upgrades
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved four highway-rail grade crossing projects in Marion, Holmes, Shelby and Huron counties.
LACMTA Board approves contract for Purple Line subway extension
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors voted nine to three to approve a $1.6-billion contract with Skanska, Traylor and Shea, a Joint Venture (STS), to construct the 3.9-mile first phase of the Purple Line Extension subway. The first phase, with a total budget of $2.7 billion, is currently forecast to open in 2023.
Sound Transit identifies Bellevue site as preferred alternative for new light-rail operations base
The Sound Transit Board of Directors have identified a site in Bellevue’s Bel-Red corridor between Bellevue and Redmond, Wash., as the preferred alternative for a new Link light-rail operations and maintenance base. The new facility is needed to store, service and deploy the expanding light-rail train fleet as the system expands from 16 to 50 miles by 2023.
Port Metro Vancouver marks completion of grade separation project
In Vancouver, BC, Canada, Port Metro Vancouver and the government of Canada in have marked substantial completion of the Powell Street Grade Separation project.
Watco names Dan Smith EVP/COO
Watco Companies named Dan Smith Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP, COO). In this position, Dan will be responsible for overseeing the operational performance, organizational development and process improvements of Watco’s Operating Divisions.
CHSRA, city of Gilroy enter into funding agreement for possible station
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Gilroy have entered into a station-area funding agreement that will allow the city and CHSRA to initiate the planning process for a potential high-speed rail station in the downtown area of the city.
Elecnor preselected for SCVTA double track project
Elecnor has been pre-selected by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) in California as contractor on double tracking the Mountain View single-track segment.
