Watco names GMs to two shortlines
Watco Transportation Services named Jimmy Patterson general manager for the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (KO). The former manager, Brad Hayes, will be managing the company’s Tampa, Colo., terminal location.
Massachusetts awards South Coast Rail community grants
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) awarded 17 technical assistance grants to implement smart growth principles of the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan.
Agreements between Amtrak, 19 states push rail improvements forward
Amtrak and 19 state transportation departments and other entities have negotiated contracts to increase state control and funding of 28 current passenger rail routes.
Crosstie replacement begins along COASTER route
North County Transit District (NCTD) in San Diego, Calif., began a $2 million crosstie replacement project on the coastal rail corridor used for passenger rail service October 7. The project is expected to be completed by November 24.
CTC allocates $167 million to California rail projects
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $359 million to 36 projects. The CTC says the funds represent an investment that will create jobs bolstering the state’s economy, reduce traffic congestion, repair highways and bridges and improve rail service.
Confederation Line tunnel construction begins
Tunnel construction for the Confederation Line Light Rail Transit system in Ottawa, ON, Canada, has begun.
CHSRA begins bid process for second phase of construction
After signing the construction contract for the first 29 miles of high-speed rail from Madera to Fresno, Calif., the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) called for contractors to submit their qualifications to bid on the next 60-mile phase of construction from Fresno south to the Tulare-Kern County line near Bakersfield.
Metro-North completes drainage improvements, names SVP operations
Improvements to the open stream channel and removal of years of sediment have tamed the Sing Sing Creek, which flows under the Metro-North Railroad tracks in Ossining, N.Y., and empties into the Hudson River.
FEC rail facility at Port Everglades begins to take shape
Construction is moving swiftly as Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) moves forward on a $53 million, 42.5-acre intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) at Port Everglades that will be used to transfer domestic and international shipping containers between ship and rail beginning in mid 2014.
Government shutdown temporarily halts Hampton Roads transit studies
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has temporarily suspended work on two transit studies and is reviewing its operations for other potentially impacted services as a result of the shutdown by the federal government.
X Train, city of Fullerton extend MOU
Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), entered into an agreement with the city of Fullerton, Calif., to extend its previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Indiana forms panel to plan next step for transportation infrastructure
Indiana assembled a Blue Ribbon Panel to plan the next generation of transportation infrastructure in the state. Gov. Mike Pence made this announcement at the 2013 Indiana Logistics Summit recently.
Holland makes organizational changes
Holland LP has made four personnel changes within the organization. The growth needed in order to reach its company goals requires a strong focus and an integrated approach, the company says.
IHSR reaches final phase for 2013 improvements
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific are performing the last of three phases of 2013 upgrades to Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future 110 mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains.
UP receives outstanding partnership award
Union Pacific received an appreciation award for its responsiveness and outstanding partnership with ConAgra Mills.
CTA awards $240 million contract for the Red Line 95th Street Terminal project
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) hired Walsh/II in One JV as its construction manager/general contractor to oversee the $240-million Red Line 95th Street Terminal project.
DART Board elects chair, vice chair
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has elected Robert Strauss, a partner at the Dallas-based law firm of Strasburger & Price, LLP, to chair of its board of directors.
Amtrak begins third phase of Michigan track improvements
The last of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season begins between Jackson and Kalamazoo on October 14. While the project will cause some delays and modified schedules, the result will be upgraded tracks and more reliable service as part of the Accelerated Rail Program being carried out by Amtrak for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
MTA NYCT names Joseph Leader as SVP of Subways
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) has appointed Joseph Leader to senior vice president, Department of Subways, who has served as acting senior vice president since May, 2013.
T.Y. Lin International promotes two to vice president
T.Y. Lin International (TYLI) promoted Vincent Montgomery, PE, and Paula Pienton, SE, PE, to vice president. Since joining TYLI in February 2013, Montgomery has held the position of national director of freight rail. Pienton came to TYLI in 2012 as regional market sector lead for transit and rail for TYLI’s Central Region.