FEC begins laying tracks for Port Everglades yard
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) is installing crane pads for the new Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at Port Everglades, which is slated to open in the summer of 2014.
Site clearing work begins on Caltrain’s San Mateo Bridges Replacement Project
In the San Francisco area, a vegetation removal crew has started initial site clearing work along four Caltrain crossings as part of its San Mateo Bridge Replacement Project.
Second rail-focused UTC opens in Texas
The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, officially opening the new University Transportation Center (UTC) for Railway Safety, which was made possible through a two-year, $3-million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Sound Transit to host open house on Tacoma Trestle project
Sound Transit will conduct an open house on February 13 to provide the public an early opportunity to learn about the proposed concepts for replacing the aging Tacoma Trestle, a timber bridge east of Freighthouse Square, which was originally constructed more than 100 years ago and will be replaced with a modern, concrete, double-track structure.
Five California firms awarded contracts for HSR project
California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved right-of-way engineering and surveying contracts with five California firms.
Tutor Perini awarded two MTA East Side Access contracts
Tutor Perini Corporation has been awarded two contracts by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for portions of the East Side Access (ESA) project, collectively valued at approximately $844 million.
Wabtec to acquire Fandstan Electric Group
Wabtec Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fandstan Electric Group Ltd., a rail and industrial equipment manufacturer, for about $215 million. Wabtec expects the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2014, subject to closing conditions and competition authority clearance.
Ontario awards funds for GO station improvements
The province of Ontario, Canada, is making CA$5 million (US$ 4.5 million) in upgrades to the Etobicoke North GO Station, which will include extending the platform to accommodate 12-car trains; installing a raised mini platform that connects to on-board train ramps for increased accessibility; adding heated shelters and more lighting and creating 10 more accessible parking spaces.
Transport Canada proposes new grade crossing regulations
Transport Canada has proposed grade crossings regulations that would establish new safety standards for federally-regulated grade crossings.
KCS praises MOW team for handling of Winter Storm Nika
Kansas City Southern (KCS) was prepared for a hard hit by Winter Storm Nika, which blanketed Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma with several inches of snow, while southern portions of the network experienced some snow, ice and unusually cold temperatures.
PATH lays out plan for PTC work
Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) says it is on track to meet the federal government’s December 2015 deadline for implementing positive train control (PTC) with work to begin on February 14.
UP plans $3.9 billion capital program; Fritz named president and COO
Union Pacific‘s Board of Directors approved its 2014 capital spending plan of approximately $3.9 billion, up about $300 million versus 2013, driven primarily by the acquisition of 200 locomotives compared to 100 locomotives purchased in 2013 and somewhat higher capacity investments.
CSX to build new rail yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Kentucky
CSX plans to build a new rail inspection yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Ken., which will support hundreds of local construction and trade jobs while being built and will initially provide more than 50 on-site jobs servicing the growing freight rail corridor that stretches from the Southeast to the Midwest.
NYCT completes $54 million in station work
New York City Transit (NYCT) has completed a $31-million rehabilitation of Upper Manhattan’s Dyckman St. 1 Interborough Rapid Transit Station (IRT) after two years of work, including a new elevator linking the mezzanine level and the southbound platform.
Four teams competing for Dulles rail yard and maintenance facility
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has selected four teams to bid on a contract to design and build Package B of Phase 2 of the Silver Line project. Package B consists of the design and construction of a rail yard and maintenance facility to be built at Dulles International Airport.
WSDOT accepting bids to operate rail line in Grant and Adams Counties
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is looking for a freight rail operator to provide rail services to businesses in Grant and Adams Counties and is now accepting bids through March 19.
TriMet and union still spar, while CN and TCRC-CTY reach new agreement
In Portland, Ore., TriMet is requesting a mediator from the state’s Employment Relations Board (ERB) after the agency and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) failed to reach an agreement on wages and benefits.
Tunnel work for Ottawa Confederation Line reaches ten percent milestone
Mining of the 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) tunnel for the Confederation Line Light Rail Transit project in Ottawa, ON, Canada, is proceeding on time and on budget with 10 percent of the tunnel excavation now complete.
Sen. Heitkamp secures commitment from FRA for Casselton track inspection program
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) secured a commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to deploy a new track inspection program to Casselton, the site where a recent derailment occurred and where four derailments have taken place in nine years.
Houston METRO tests Green and Purple Line tracks
Houston Metro‘s new East End (Green) Line tracks have been undergoing tests by dragging a light-rail vehicle up and down the track with a diesel-powered-shuttle, and crews have been performing live-wiring testing. The test covers 2.3 miles of the 3.3-mile tracks.