Canada’s TSB attributes CP derailment to poor drainage
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) published its report on an April 2013 Canadian Pacific accident and found poor drainage and water-damaged track bed led to 17 cars derailing.
Wabtec awarded Alaska Railroad PTC contract
Wabtec Corporation has signed contracts for $16.6 million with Alaska Railroad Corporation to provide Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment and services, including computer-aided dispatch and back office systems. The systems will be installed on the railroad’s 525 miles of controlled track, which are used for both freight and regularly scheduled passenger service.
IntegriCo Composites moving to Louisiana
IntegriCo Composites is making a $20 million capital investment to establish a manufacturing facility near Springhill, La., that will produce transportation infrastructure components including crossties, rail crossings and industrial mats from landfill-bound plastic waste. The company also will relocate its corporate headquarters from Temple, Texas, to Webster Parish, La.
BART increases focus on maintenance, safety priorities for 2014-2015
A peek at Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) priorities for the 2014-2015 budget shows an increased focus on employee safety and keeping aging equipment well-maintained for reliability and passenger safety.
Shallow LRT tunnels, LRT over channel on bridge recommended for Southwest LRT project
According to the Metropolitan Council, the Southwest Light Rail Transit staff in Minneapolis, Minn., has recommended building shallow tunnels for light- rail tracks and a bridge over a channel between two lakes for the Southwest Light Rail Transit Green Line Extension. Planners also recommended keeping Mitchell Station as the westernmost station in Eden Prairie.
MBTA extends late night service
Service on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subways will operate 90 minutes longer on its Red, Orange, Blue and Green Line trains, effective immediately.
Late night service will operate as it does during the day, serving customers at the same stations and stops. The last Red, Orange, Blue and Green Line trains will depart downtown stations at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and approximately 1:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights. Extended late night service will operate approximately every 15-20 minutes, with more frequent service in the core of the system.
“Our customers are always asking for more service and I am happy that we are able to bring extended weekend hours to them beginning on March 28,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott. “From students to entrepreneurs to service employees, late night service will allow a wide cross-section of our vibrant population to better travel home from both work and play.”
To help cover the cost of the additional service, the MBTA has launched a sponsorship program and has partnered with leading businesses from the Greater Boston area. The Boston Globe, Boston Red Sox, Dunkin’ Donuts, Suffolk Construction and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association have signed on as the first sponsors of the late night service pilot program. In total, sponsors are contributing more than $1.5 million in support to help cover the estimated $16 million cost of late night service.
MTA, PANYNJ, MSDC develop $4.9 billion transportation resiliency program
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC) have developed a coordinated transportation resiliency program to help prepare the region for future emergencies, reduce the impact of future storms on vital transportation infrastructure and improve the long-term reliability and resiliency of the public transportation network.
NYSDOT performs second round of inspections to guard against CBR accidents
New York state will make additional efforts to protect residents from potential disasters involving the transport of crude oil.
Trio of Texas mayors give support to Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth high-speed rail plan
Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price have announced their support for a high-speed rail route between Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Houston METRO given green light on remaining FFGA funds
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) now has access to the final appropriation of $187.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the North and Southeast Lines.
Union relations: Deals reached between Chicago Rail Link and SMART; Amtrak and BMWED; LACMTA and ATU
Trainmen and engineers represented by the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART) and employed by Chicago Rail Link have ratified a new six-year agreement, with 95 percent of the affected employees voting in favor of the deal.
TTCI’s Stabler highlights crude by rail safety training program at Senate hearing
Emphasizing the importance of cooperation with local emergency responders and an commitment to preparedness, Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), President Lisa Stabler testified before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and the District of Columbia about the railroad industry’s continuing safety efforts.
PUCO approves upgrades of eight rail crossings throughout Ohio
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved eight highway-rail grade crossing projects in Lucas, Seneca, Stark and Wood counties.
Detroit streetcar benefits from MEDC funds
The Detroit, Mich., Woodward Avenue streetcar project has been awarded a 10-year, $10 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based loan from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
DART accelerates opening date for DFW Airport Station
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will connect North Texas commuter to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW Airport) four months early and under budget with the opening of DFW Airport Station August 18.
Metra Board approves contract for Lombard station work
The Metra Board of Directors in Chicago has approved an $8.1-million contract to construct a pedestrian underpass and related improvements at the Lombard Station along the Union Pacific West Line.
Caltrain to host safety themed AMA discussion
With Caltrain‘s ridership continuing to surge and the Bay Area population growing, Caltrain is hosting a rail safety themed Reddit – Ask Me Anything (AMA) discussion to encourage an open dialogue about safety near railroad tracks.
Metro-North signal upgrades completed ahead of schedule
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Railroad has completed permanent changes to its signal system to ensure automatic speed enforcement at five critical curves and five moveable bridges in New York and Connecticut, more than five months ahead of schedule.
CTC allocates funds for ACE grade separation project
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $334 million in funding to 53 projects, including $48 million to the Alameda Corridor East – Construction Authority (ACE) Puente Avenue Grade Separation Project.
Chadwick named GM of Ann Arbor Railroad
Watco Transportation Services named Ron Chadwick as general manager of the Ann Arbor Railroad (AA). Ron will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the AA, as well as coordinating efforts between all railroad departments and achieving performance goals with optimum safety, economy, efficiency and effectiveness.