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.
WMATA takes control of Silver Line Phase 1
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority transferred care and control of the first phase of the Silver Line to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on May 27.
WMATA has up to 90 days for testing and training prior to opening the line for passenger service this summer. The opening date will be set by the WMATA Board of Directors in the near future.
When it opens this summer, Silver Line service will run from Wiehle-Reston East station to Largo Town Center, with trains every six minutes during rush hour and every 12 to 20 minutes at other times. Five new stations will be added to the system: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East.
Work also has begun on Phase 2 of the project, which will connect the system with Herndon, Washington Dulles International Airport and points in Loudoun County, Va.
Edmonton LRT project gets funding guarantee from Canadian government
The Canadian government has guaranteed up to CA$150 million (US$138 million) for the Valley Line Stage 1 Light Rail Transit expansion project in Edmonton, AB, under the New Building Canada Fund-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component, bringing the total federal contribution to the project up to CA$400 million (US$386 million).
NYCT says Central Park West FASTRACK a success
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK maintenance program came to the A, C, B and D Central Park West line in Manhattan last week. Hundreds of NYCT employees performed a range of cleaning and maintenance tasks of station and tunnel infrastructure, signal equipment and track and third rail components.
CSX mainline opens in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
CSX said it has reached a major milestone in the construction of its $100-million intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QB, Canada with the official opening of its mainline leading directly to the Perron Industrial and Maritime Park.
British Columbia’s Ashcroft Terminal expansion complete
Ashcroft Terminal, an inland transloading facility in British Columbia that is a member of the Canadian government’s Asian Pacific Corridor, completed an expansion project designed to improve the flow of goods by rail and give local industry a competitive edge in international trade.
Houston METRO moving forward with Hughes Street Overpass to complete Green Line
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) is taking the Green Line over Hughes Street to connect the line to the Magnolia Transit Center following a favorable vote for an overpass.
NCDOT awards $16 million for state rail improvement projects
The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded more than $16 million to 40 projects across the state through the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement program.
CN’s Mongeau underscores railroad’s unwavering commitment to safety
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, in a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, said that dangerous goods are an integral part of everyday life and that CN has an unwavering commitment to moving all traffic safely.
Stella-Jones completes acquisition of Boatright’s wood treating facilities
Stella-Jones Inc. has completed the acquisition of the wood treating facilities of Boatright Railroad Products, Inc., located in Montevallo and Clanton, Ala. These facilities manufacture, sell and distribute creosote and borate-treated crossties, as well as switch ties, tie plugs and bridge timbers to railroads and railroad contractors. Sales for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, reached $73.5 million.
Minneapolis Interchange/Target Field Station open for business
The Metro Transit Interchange/Target Field Station multi-modal transportation hub in Minneapolis, which opened May 17, 2014, links light-rail transit, regional rail and bus service and contains a civic space for retailers, an amphitheater and green space.
House committee approves bill with reduced 2015 transportation budget
The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill on May 21 with a vote of 28-21.
RailWorks-Archer Western JV celebrate role in SunRail success
SunRail passenger rail service began May 1 in Central Florida along a 32-mile route comprised of 12 stations between DeBary and south Orlando. The new service marks completion of the first phase of the $1-billion Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit (CFCRT) project.
SEPTA warns public of dangers of ‘Distracted Commuting’
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) warns, it can happen in an instant; just checking e-mail, sending one text or turning up the music can take a driver’s attention from their surroundings and put them in a potentially dangerous situation, especially when at a bus stop, train station or transportation center.
LACMTA receives FTA grant, TIFIA loan for Purple Line extension
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) was granted $1.25-billion dollars in federal funds, as well as approved for a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Loan to help pay for the Purple Line Extension Project.
Old grant funds transferred to Cincinnati streetcar
Cincinnati’s streetcar project is the unexpected recipient of an extra $268,000 via a rail-related grant Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) received.
FCC, railroads reach agreement on PTC towers
An agreement has been reached between the seven Class 1 freight railroads and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the installation of positive train control (PTC) antennas, but the Association of American Railroads (AAR) says the delay in developing the process has severely impeded PTC implementation and a fully operable system by the 2015 deadline is not possible.
UP to invest in Missouri’s infrastructure
Union Pacific will strengthen Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $9 million in the rail line between Sedalia and Pleasant Hill, Mo. The project began May 15 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
PATCO set to begin Ben Franklin Bridge Track Rehabilitation Project next week
Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) is ready to start a two-year, $103-million track rehabilitation project on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which connects the New Jersey and Philadelphia portions of the system.