FEC’s new ICTF grand opening July 14
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) will open its new Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) adjacent to Port Everglades in the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area, with a grand opening ceremony on July 14, 2014.
Freight railroads promote safe behavior around grade crossings
North America’s freight railroads hosted events on June 3 in multiple cities across the country in observance of the sixth-annual International Level Crossing Day (ILCAD) aimed at raising public awareness about safe behavior around railroad grade crossings.
Rep. Barr tours R.J. Corman yard; speaks to contractors’ role in national rail network
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-06) joined representatives from R.J. Corman Railroad Group and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of R.J. Corman Railroad Group’s rail yard in Lexington, Ky.
NS, Operation Lifesaver team up on Georgia safety train
The Peach State Whistle-Stop Safety Train this week starts a 327-mile tour from the heart of South Georgia to the city of Dalton, calling attention to safety and trespasser awareness.
BLET members at SEPTA authorize strike
A 98.84 percent majority of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members working for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have voted to authorize a strike when a mandatory 30-day cooling off period under the Railway Labor Act comes to an end in less than two weeks.
HDR hires transit sector director
HDR, Inc., has hired Tom Waldron as transit market sector director, based in HDR’s New York City office. His responsibilities include setting HDR’s vision and initiatives for continued growth and expansion in transit across North America and globally.
Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern completes acquisition of DM&E west end
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) newly-established subsidiary, Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, Inc., has completed the acquisition of the west end of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) rail line from Canadian Pacific for approximately $210 million plus approximately $7.5 million for the purchase of certain inventory, equipment and vehicles.
Denver’s RTD outlines commitment to safety for public, employees and contractors
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver always keeps safety as a first priority. With the summer construction season swinging into high gear, RTD has outlined its policy and procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.
Parsons selected as program management of Arlington Streetcar project
Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia have selected Parsons Transportation Group to help manage Arlington’s streetcar program, which includes the Columbia Pike streetcar segment that the two counties are jointly building.
Indiana kicks off $71-million rail upgrade
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joined representatives from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and Norfolk Southern on May 29 to kick off the $71.4-million Indiana Gateway project to improve rail lines between Porter, Ind., and the Illinois state line.
FRA Administrator Szabo tours Siemens Louisville Rail Plant
Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo visited Siemens’ automation plant in Louisville, Ken., which is one of several companies across the country that are making key components for Positive Train Control (PTC) systems.
FASTRACK returns to Manhattan June 2
On June 2, Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program will return to Manhattan stations along the N, Q and R lines. For four consecutive weeknights the N, Q and R trains will not stop at stations in Manhattan.
Sen. Graham visits Harsco Rail
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a member of the Appropriations Committee, Armed Services Committee, Budget Committee and Judiciary Committee, joined representatives from Harsco Rail and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) May 28 for a tour of Harsco Rail’s manufacturing facility and headquarters in Columbia, S.C.
More Sandy relief funds for NJ Transit, PATH
The Department of Transportation has awarded a combined $235 million in federal grants to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy inflicted on New Jersey Transit and Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail systems in late October 2012.
UP completes New Mexico rail facility
Union Pacific celebrated the grand opening of its New Mexico rail facility May 28, which officially opened April 1. The 2,200-acre site will create value for UP customers and produce greater logistics efficiencies along Union Pacific’s critical Sunset Route, the rail line running 760 miles from El Paso, Texas, to Los Angeles, Calif.
OmniTRAX affiliate acquires Sand Springs Railway Company
Sand Springs Railway Company is being acquired by Sand Springs Holdings, LLC, a managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc. The Sand Springs Railway, which runs freight service between Sand Springs and Tulsa, Okla., on 32 miles of track, will commence operations no later than July 31, 2014.
Target Field Station multimodal hub opens in Minnesota
In Minneapolis, Minn., Hennepin County recently opened a new multimodal transportation hub named Target Field Station, which connects the Metro Transit Blue and Green lines and Northstar Commuter Rail.
Toronto mayoral candidate has a new transit plan for the city
John Tory, a candidate for mayor of Toronto, ON, Canada, unveiled his One Toronto Transit Plan that he says will help relieve transit and traffic congestion in Toronto within seven years.
NS’ Squires taking on additional duties
Norfolk Southern‘s President James Squires will assume additional responsibilities in the marketing and operations divisions in line with the company’s normal succession planning process.
SEPTA to perform track renewal along trolley line
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will conduct a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 11 trolley line from June 1-August 30, 2014.