Senate railroad antitrust bill introduced; AAR says industry self-sufficiency threatened
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act on Thursday, March 21.
Pennsylvania, Amtrak reach agreement to save service
The state of Pennsylvania and Amtrak have reached an agreement on a new funding plan that will maintain rail passenger service between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pa.
MTA to reopen Smith-9th Streets FG Station in late April
After a two-year rehabilitation project, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Smith-9th Streets Station, serving the F and G lines, will reopen on April 22.
Acrow Bridge and Structal-Bridges sign joint marketing and sales agreement
Acrow Bridge, an international bridge engineering and supply company, signed an agreement with Canadian steel bridge manufacturer, Structal-Bridges. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly market their solutions in temporary and permanent modular steel bridging.
UP building second track in southeast Missouri
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $21 million to construct a more-than-nine-mile second mainline track in the Bell City area, in southeast Missouri.
CN relocates Chicago forest products reload center to Port of Chicago
Canadian National (CN) has relocated its forest products transload operation to North America Stevedoring Company, LLC’s operation at the Port of Chicago to improve supply chain efficiencies for lumber customers.
NYCT maintenance program planned for Upper East Side
Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Upper East Side of Manhattan on the 4, 5 and 6 lines, starting March 25.
Schuster names new head of House T&I Committee communications team
U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) appointed Jim Billimoria to lead the committee’s communications and public relations efforts in the 113th Congress.
NRC Conference heats up south beach
The 2013 National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Annual Conference in Florida can be marked as another success.
Questions and Answers: 45G tax credit
The current extension expires at the end of 2013; industry action is needed to help secure its future.
Ballast maintenance for the best roadbed
For proper support and drainage along the railroads both big and small, a good ballast maintenance program is key.
Oregon lawmakers approve Columbia River Crossing funding
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill that provides $450 million in funding for the Columbia River Crossing project, which partners the Oregon and Washington state departments of transportation in a proposal to replace the I-5 bridge, extend light-rail to Vancouver, Wash., improve interchanges and enhance pedestrian and bicycle pathways.
Broward County approves operational funds for streetcar project
In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “The Wave” modern streetcar has been given unanimous approval by the Broward County Commission and is expected to open by 2016. The county’s portion, which funds operating and maintenance costs, is $2.5 million annually.
Amtrak reaches new agreement with UTU
After more than two years of negotiations, the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation (UTU-SMART) general committees representing some 2,300 Amtrak members have reached a deal on a new contract.
BLET readies for 150th anniversary
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will enter its 150th year on May 8, 2013. BLET notes that it is the oldest transportation labor organization in North America.
Invensys awarded subcontract for NYCT signals
Invensys Rail will serve as a subcontractor to Five Star Electric Corp. in a $167-million project that will replace two New York City Transit rail interlockings located at 71st – Continental Ave. and Van Wyck Blvd. on the Queens line.
Rail shows largest improvement in ASCE infrastructure report card
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its “2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” on Tuesday, March 19. The report is an assessment of 16 infrastructure categories in the United States that takes place every four years.
Northeast transit agencies receive second round of Sandy relief funds
The second allocation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) storm-related aid through the FY 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act has been released.
WMATA ramped up rebuilding effort in 2012
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) massive rebuilding and modernization efforts accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2012, with $230 million invested in projects to make the system safer and more reliable.
CHSRA approves MOU for Bay area rail improvements
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) to enhance the rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.