KCS’ U.S. engineering team hits safety stride, prepares for continued performance
In 2012, Kansas City Sourthern’s U.S. engineering department achieved a record low injury frequency ratio.
FEC’s Stevens retiring, Chinnici named SVP engineering and purchasing
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) appointed Francis Chinnici as senior vice president, engineering and purchasing. Robert Stevens, vice president and chief engineering officer, will retire, effective Feb. 28.
Koppers, NS sign three-year contract for rail joints
Koppers Inc. and Norfolk Southern have agreed to a three-year contract for bonded rail joint assemblies.
AREMA accepting applications for its scholarship program and design competition
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Educational Foundation is accepting applications for the 2013 Scholarship Program. The deadline is March 8, 2013.
Detroit’s M-1 Rail receives $25 million in federal funding
The Detroit, Mich., M-1 Rail project can move forward immediately using the $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant previously awarded for transit in the city.
Port Everglades breaks ground on intermodal hub
Port Everglades broke ground on a $73-million combined on-port international and domestic cargo rail facility near Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
CN to build Chicago area intermodal ramp
Canadian National plans to construct an intermodal ramp at its freight yard in Joliet, Ill., to offer import/export customers key access to numerous Chicagoland distribution centers.
National Safety Council recognizes WMATA’s Sarles with award
Richard Sarles, general manager and CEO of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority was selected for the 2013 CEOs Who “Get It.” The list is an annual recognition of business leaders who demonstrate world-class safety and is compiled by the National Safety Council (NCS).
LIRR begins public outreach on Double Track project
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road opened the first of two Double Track Information Centers along the Ronkonkoma Branch so customers and the public at large can learn about the LIRR’s proposal for a second track on existing LIRR property
NCDOT awards grade separation contract, closes two crossings for panel installation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) awarded a $7.6-million contract to Blythe Construction Inc. of Charlotte for a project, which will improve safety at the North Carolina Railroad crossing on Klumac Road in Salisbury.
Port of Los Angeles begins construction on West Basin Railyard
Construction has begun on a staging and storage rail yard that will serve as a critical link between the Port of Los Angeles and the Alameda Corridor.
Denham named rail subcommittee chair
Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was named chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee for the 113th Congress.
RTA Board approves billion-dollar budget for Chicago area transportation
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors adopted the 2013 budget and two-year financial plan at a special RTA Board meeting on Jan. 16.
CN, INRD to build Indianapolis intermodal terminal
Canadian National and the Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) have entered into an agreement on the construction of an intermodal terminal in Indianapolis, Ind., and a plan to offer Indiana importers and exporters an all-rail option for containerized products moving to/from Asia.
OSHA, BNSF sign accord regarding whistleblower policies
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed an accord with BNSF, announcing the railroad’s voluntary revision of several personnel policies that OSHA alleged violated the whistleblower provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) and dissuaded workers from reporting on-the-job injuries.
Six grade crossing projects in Washington, Ohio move forward
Washington state regulators have approved funds to improve the safety of three grade crossings; one in Whitman County and two in Pend Oreille County.
Watco names two to safety roles
Watco Transportation Services named Josh McCormack regional safety manager for the East Region. He will assist the East Region railroads, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR), as well as East Region switching sites by ensuring the highest standards of training and compliance are met.
MassDOT’s transportation plan includes $3.8 billion in rail projects
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey set a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the commonwealth.
CP opens Regina intermodal facility at GTH
Canadian Pacific opened its new Intermodal Facility at Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub (GTH) in Regina, SK, Canada.
KCS participates in Officer on a Train event
Kansas City Southern partnered with the Alice Police Department to conduct an “Officer on a Train” event on Jan. 15 to promote public safety at railroad grade crossings in Alice, Texas.