Alaska Railroad crossing and bridge projects advance
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the North Pole Road/Rail Crossing Reduction project in Alaska.
Twin Cities’ Central Corridor heavy construction coming to end
The final year of heavy construction on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., is wrapping up on cue.
NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line returns to full service Dec. 17
New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) Raritan Valley Line (RVL) will resume full-service starting Monday, Dec. 17, marking another milestone for customers in the transit system’s return to normalcy after Hurricane Sandy.
Canadian government introduces freight service bill, CN, CP respond
On Dec. 11, the Canadian government introduced the Fair Rail Freight Service Act bill, which will give companies that ship goods by rail the right to a service agreement with railways. It will also create an arbitration process to establish an agreement when commercial negotiations are not met.
MBTA Green Line extension project begins
The start of phase one of construction to extend the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Green Line into the cities of Medford and Somerville has begun.
Charlotte streetcar starter line breaks ground
The Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project in North Carolina has begun and the first phase of a planned 10-mile streetcar line that will expand transit options, spur economic development and improve access to jobs, education and medical facilities.
Santa Clara VTA light rail celebrates 25 years of service
Twenty-five years ago on Dec. 11, a nine-mile, twelve-station light-rail transit line opened its car doors and would become the first of nine segments to offer passenger service in Santa Clara County in California.
TCRC- MWED and Canadian Pacific reach tentative contract agreement
Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED), which represents 2,600 maintenance-of-way workers, reached a tentative five-year contract settlement.
BLET members ratify new contract at Montana Rail Link
By a better than three-to-one majority, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Montana Rail Link (MRL) on November 20. The agreement covers approximately 400 members.
UIC Innovation and Railway Research Awards recognizes TTCI’s freight research
The inaugural International Union of Railways (UIC) Innovation and Railway Research Awards were held in Paris, France, on Dec. 11, where Transportation Technology Center, Inc., (TTCI) was recognized for its freight research at its Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST).
L.B. Foster, Union Pacific enter agreement for concrete crossties
L.B. Foster Company has agreed on a multi-year contract extension with Union Pacific for the supply of prestressed concrete railroad ties from its Tucson, Ariz., facility. The previous supply contract was set to expire on December 31, 2012.
Progress Rail mobile welding assets from RibbonWeld LLC
Progress Rail Services Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., has purchased mobile welding assets from RibbonWeld LLC, a rail welding company based in Springfield, Mo.
FRA proposes revisions to PTC rule
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is proposing a revision to the rule concerning positive train control (PTC) in response to a petition from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
Plans advance for Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center
An agreement has been reached for Amtrak to continue to own and operate the new $23-million Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center in Rochester, N.Y., at the existing Amtrak station location on 320 Central Avenue.
San Francisco rail improvement projects completed
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Church and Duboce Track and Street Improvement Project and the Carl Street Rail Replacement Project have been completed.
Washington state Oks funds to improve three crossings
Washington state regulators approved funds to improve the safety of three railroad crossings in Kelso, Longview and Oakesdale, Wash.
IntegriCo composite ties installed in Mexico
IntegriCo Composites, Inc., manufacturer of recycled plastic railroad ties, recently had a railroad company in Mexico install its ties in track.
NRC names 2012 special award recipients
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) released the list of winners of the 2012 Field Employee and Rail Construction Project of the Year Awards.
Calgary opens West LRT, completes 7 Avenue project
In Calgary, AB, Canada, the city’s West LRT line officially opened on Dec. 10.
Three California commuter rail projects get state funds
The California Transportation Commission allocated $108.7 million to three commuter rail projects that will help ease traffic congestion, improve safety and support economic growth.