CSX kicks off maintenance jamboree
CSX this week will begin an eight-day maintenance marathon designed to complete work that would normally take 18 weeks.
UP invests nearly $9 million in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure
Union Pacific will strengthen Oregon’s transportation infrastructure by investing $8.9 million to install new rail on track between North Powder and La Grande. The project is under way now and is scheduled to be completed this month.
FWWR taps CTC for grade-crossing warning systems, base radios
The Fort Worth & Western Railroad (FWWR) has entered into a five-year agreement with CTC Inc. (CTC), to maintain the railroad’s grade-crossing warning systems and base radios.
DuBois to chair LACMTA Board of Directors
City of Lakewood Councilmember Diane DuBois has taken over as chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors, effective July 1. She replaces outgoing Board Chairman Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich.
NCDOT begins grade separations along its Piedmont Corridor
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has begun construction on rail safety improvement projects along the North Carolina Railroad’s Piedmont Corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte.
Congressmen Harris and Massie visit NRC member companies
Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, visited the Rhinehart Railroad Construction offices in Fallston, Md., on May 31, 2013. The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) organized the event.
Senate Appropriations Committee approves $250 million for HART
The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved $250 million in funding for Honolulu Authority For Rapid Transportation (HART), matching in full President Obama’s 2014 budget request and the 2012 Full Funding Grant Agreement.
BART employees strike
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) workers walked off the job early July 1 after negotiations for a new contract were not met.
CTA to launch new fare payment system
Some Chicago Transit Authority customers will begin using the new Ventra fare payment system, a single fare card for transit throughout the Chicago region, in August 2013, with a full public in September.
MTA senior advisor dies at 54
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Senior Advisor to the Chairman Susan Kupferman passed away the morning of June 26.
LACMTA approves $1.27 billion construction contract for Crenshaw/LAX Light-Rail
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors has approved a $1.272-billion contract to Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors to build the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project
New Jersey marks safety month with “E-Cubed” success
In honor of National Safety Month, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) have collaborated to promote safety and reduce accidental deaths along the state’s railroad tracks.
Senate approves Anthony Foxx as next secretary of transportation
The Senate has confirmed Anthony Foxx, the mayor of Charlotte, N.C., as the next U.S. Transportation secretary by a 100-0 vote. Foxx will replace current secretary Ray LaHood.
DeQueen & Eastern employees re-select UTU-SMART
Train and engine workers employed by DeQueen & Eastern Railroad (D&ER) voted June 20 to elect United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART) as their collective bargaining representative.
SYSTRA names new VP, sector manager, planning and operations analysis
SYSTRA has hired Wes Coates as vice president, sector manager, planning & operations analysis.
Hamberger: Freight railroad investments provide foundation for intercity and commuter rail
Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward Hamberger on June 27 told the House Transportation subcommittee on railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials that the billions of private freight railroad investments spent annually on infrastructure and maintenance today provides
UP named 2013 Best Diversity Company
Union Pacific has been named a 2013 Best Diversity Company by the readers of Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology for the fifth consecutive year.
TriMet’s WES ridership rises, while overall system ridership decreases
TriMet‘s system provided more than 25 million rides during the spring 2013 quarter. Compared to a year ago, overall ridership declined for March, April and May.
AAR: Freight rail private investments help build America’s strong transportation system
Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward Hamberger on June 26 told a House Transportation Committee special panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation that billions in annual privately-funded rail infrastructure investments have made America’s rail network vital to U.S. competitiveness in the global supply chain.
Crosstex reactivates Black Run rail terminal
The partnership of Crosstex Energy, L.P. and Crosstex Energy, Inc., reactivated its Black Run rail loading terminal located in Frazeysburg, Ohio, on the Ohio Central Railroad (OHCR).
The Black Run facility is a 20-car rail rack with tracking gangways designed to top load multiple products, including light oil condensate and various grades of crude oil, at a rate of 24,000 barrels per day.
“The reactivation of our Black Run rail facility enables us to offer producer customers in the Utica Shale an immediate midstream solution to export their products to out-of-region markets to maximize value for our customers. We are pleased to be at the forefront of moving product by rail in an area where there is a lack of transloading capabilities,” said Barry Davis, Crosstex president and chief executive officer. “Our Ohio River Valley assets continue to provide Crosstex with an exceptional growth opportunity as more wells come on line in the Utica Shale.”
The OHCR is a 70-mile shortline that interchanges with the Columbus and Ohio River Railroad, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Ohio Southern Railroad and Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway. The Black Run terminal, which is adjacent to the partnership’s oil gathering pipeline, will leverage the partnership’s existing tankage and piping, as well as the capabilities of its extensive truck fleet in the Ohio River Valley.