Support of public transportation investment increases
A new survey released indicates that there is growing support for expanding public transportation.
CSX begins construction on Quebec intermodal facility
CSX and its transportation and intermodal terminals subsidiaries broke ground on a new intermodal terminal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QB, Canada, on June 3; the terminal is expected to open in 2015.
Siemens installs energy storage unit on TriMet LRT
Siemens is currently installing the its Sitras SES Energy Storage Unit with supercapacitor technology in the U.S. on the new TriMet Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Line.
SEPTA to perform switch and track crossing renewal project
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has scheduled a switch and track crossing renewal project for the intersection of 49th Street and Woodland Avenue from June 9-22.
CBR and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay sign 10-year deal
Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR) and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay have signed a 10-year agreement, effective May 31, authorizing CBR to be the operator the 134-mile line.
Connecticut releases more than $8 million for freight rail infrastructure
The state of Connecticut has allocated more than $8 million in Rail Freight Infrastructure Program funding, which will be released to four regional railroad company projects in an effort to improve and modernize Connecticut’s rail freight system.
NYCT brings FASTRACK back to Queens
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit brings FASTRACK back to Queens on the E, F, M and R Line.
ARR: Class 1s could lose revenue if NITL proposal is adopted
America’s privately owned Class 1 freight railroads could lose revenue up to 80 percent of their entire annual capital budgets if a forced competition scheme proposed by the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) was adopted, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said in comments filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
UP releases 2012 Sustainability and Citizenship Report
Union Pacific published its 2012 Sustainability and Citizenship Report, underscoring the company’s innovations in the areas of environmental stewardship, safe operations, employee well-being, community development and customer value, as well as its commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics.
Sound Transit reviews six bids for Northgate Link light rail extension
Sound Transit opened six bids for the contract to mine 3.4 miles of twin light-rail tunnels between Husky Stadium at the University of Washington and the Northgate Mall area in Seattle, Wash.
NS launches Train Your Brian safety program in East Tennessee
Billboards showing two feet poking out from a white sheet in a morgue have the tagline, “I raced a train and all I got was this lousy toe tag.” Another billboard shows a cast on a person’s leg with the caption, “I raced a train and all I got was this lousy full-body cast.”
TTC begins reconstruction tracks on Kingston Road
The Toronto Transit Commission and the city of Toronto will be reconstructing the streetcar tracks on Kingston Road between Queen Street East and Victoria Park Avenue.
LS&I employees approve five year deal
United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART)-represented train and engine workers employed by Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Company have ratified a new five-year agreement by an overwhelming 89 percent majority.
The agreement provides for wage increases equal to the 2011 national UTU agreement, including percentage increases to crew consist payments, full back-pay and increases in training pay.
The agreement also provides improved bereavement leave, establishes a Rule-G bypass agreement and establishes a health and welfare benefit package that replicates the National Health and Welfare package, including the Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan.
Lake Superior & Ishpeming’s primary business is the transportation of iron ore over a 16-mile shortline from the Empire-Tilden Mine, operated by Cliffs Natural Resources, south of Ishpeming, to Lake Superior for transport.
The Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railway was organized in 1893 as a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company (now Cliffs Natural Resources), the iron ore mining company. From its beginning, the railroad’s primary business was the transport of iron ore from the Marquette Iron Range, west of Marquette, to docks on Lake Superior, from which the ore could be shipped to steel mills on the lower Great Lakes.
Members of National Freight Advisory Committee selected
The National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) has named its list of members, a diverse group of professionals that will provide advice and recommendations aimed at improving the national freight transportation system.
MARC trains set ridership record in April
The Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) MARC Train service set a new record for ridership in April 2013.
UP begins community safety grant program
Union Pacific started a grant program for community railroad safety initiatives. Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be provided to support initiatives that enhance railroad safety in Union Pacific communities.
Watco names GM of Baton Rouge Southern
Watco Transportation Services has named Brit Sonnier as general manager for the Baton Rouge Southern Railroad (BRS).
USDOT awards $7 million TIGER grant to Oregon
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded more than $7 million to the state of Oregon through a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to support a $9.4-million project.
CN accelerates Whitehall Subdivision upgrades
Canadian National (CN) is accelerating work on the $33-million upgrading of its Whitehall Subdivision in Wisconsin to increase car-loading capacity and train velocity for the growing frac sand supply chains
Szabo pushes for integrated rail systems
In a letter to the United Transportation Union, Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo pushed for more integrated rail systems. In the message, he said:
“We know well the population growth, mobility and environmental challenges revealing a clear need to invest in passenger rail and of passenger rail’s skyrocketing ridership, be it intercity, commuter, light or heavy.