Alton & Southern to expand RailComm system
Alton and Southern Railroad will expand its existing RailComm Yard Control System by adding several new components to the yard.
GO Transit completes switch replacement program
GO Transit in Toronto, ON, Canada, replaced more than 100 switches throughout the Union Station Rail Corridor to move trains more quickly and efficiently in and out of Union Station.
Santa Clara VTA receives state funding to expand BART facilities
California Transportation Commission (CTC) has voted unanimously to allocate $50 million in state funding to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).
Amtrak requests $336 million in emergency funds
Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a U.S. Senate committee the New York region needs to strengthen rail capacity and resiliency in order to create “a better ability to resist damage, recover from an event and return the rail system to service” following major disasters.
Canada’s transit ridership continues growth
According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), public transit ridership for the first six months of 2012 showed remarkable growth across Canada, registering an increase of 3.2 percent during the same period a year earlier.
Honolulu city council authorizes FTA grant for rail project
The Honolulu City Council voted eight to one in favor of authorizing the execution of the $1.55-billion Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Honolulu rail project.
Ottawa recommends Rideau Transit Group for light-rail project
In Ottawa, ON, Canada, city staff has recommended that the international consortium known as the Rideau Transit Group be awarded the contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project.
Canadian Pacific outlines vision for future, weighs interest in DM&E west end
Canadian Pacific has outlined the railroad’s go-forward plan for change with plans to improve service, increase efficiency, lower cost and grow the business.
Amtrak/CSX Hudson Line deal to improve service, move projects forward
A long-term lease agreement between CSX Corporation and Amtrak has been made, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
NCDOT awards safety improvement contract
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $10.9-million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract to Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh, N.C., for a rail safety improvement project.
Phoenix Valley Metro names chief engineer
Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona has hired Rick Brown as chief engineer/director of design and construction.
VIA Rail readies improvements to locomotives, frequencies and infrastructure
VIA Rail Canada has completed a number of projects, including additional frequencies and the introduction of a new service between Ottawa, ON, and Quebec City, QB.
Maryland Transit Authority evaluating remote sensors for CWR
Protran Technology and QinetiQ North America have partnered to provide the Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) with the first real-time network of remote sensors installed on continuous welded rail (CWR) for testing and evaluation.
WMATA studying ways to fight fatigue
On Thursday, Dec. 6, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board Safety and Security Committee will receive an update on fatigue research, including a key finding that recommends a methodical, comprehensive approach to the issue rather than solely considering the number of hours an employee works.
SEPTA names new assistant general manager of EM&C Division
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority promoted Robert Lund Jr., P.E., to assistant general manager of engineering, maintenance and construction.
CP defers Powder River Basin expansion plan
Canadian Pacific will take a fourth quarter pre-tax non-cash charge of approximately CA$180 million (US$181 million) on its option to build into the Powder River Basin (PRB).
Genesee & Wyoming expands role in Utica shale development
Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s (GWI) wholly owned subsidiary, The Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road Company (CUOH), has signed a long-term agreement to serve the $900-million natural gas liquids (NGLs) fractionation hub being constructed in Scio, Ohio,
DART opens Blue and Orange rail extensions
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Dallas, Texas, opened two rail segments on Dec. 3, extending the Blue Line to Rowlett and the Orange Line farther into Irving and closer to DFW International Airport.
CTA Red North Station Interim Improvement work more than 80 percent complete
On Friday, Nov. 30, Chicago Transit Authority Red Line trains resumed serving the Lawrence station, bringing the Red Line Interim Improvement Project to 80 percent complete.
Alabama to relocate rail line with federal funds
The Federal Railroad Administration has provided the city of Sylacauga, Ala., a $1.59-million Rail Line Relocation Grant to relocate East Alabama Railway and Norfolk Southern interchange tracks away from the downtown area.