New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens
As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.
Archaeological work for Honolulu rail project ahead of schedule
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) archaeological inventory survey work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is ahead of schedule and all fieldwork is now slated for completion in early December.
NS Atlanta welding plant named in honor of late engineering executive
Norfolk Southern named its rail welding facility in Atlanta, Ga., after the late Hubert Rose, who retired from Norfolk Southern as senior assistant vice president maintenance-of-way and structures and planning in 1991, after a 43-year career with the company.
Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.
FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery
U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.
Sound Transit, Seattle to explore transit possibilities between downtown Seattle and Ballard
Sound Transit and the city of Seattle, Wash., have agreed to jointly study transit improvements between downtown Seattle and Ballard.
Agreement would put X Train on UP-owned track
Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), and Union Pacific signed a conditional agreement to provide passenger service on Union Pacific-owned right-of-way between Las Vegas, Nev., and Daggett, Calif.
BART unveils vision for future transit to meet growing demand
In response to its increasing capacity needs, San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit is drafting a three-phased plan to address sustainability and customer service objectives, while maintaining a safe and reliable rapid transit system.
New union agreements on CP and Central Railroad of Indiana
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), System Council 11 and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative five-year labor agreement covering approximately 450 employees who maintain and install railway signals and communications systems across Canada.
HDR lead designer for Dallas streetcar project
Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas, selected the Stacy and Witbeck/Carcon Joint Venture team, with HDR as lead designer, for the Dallas Streetcar Oak Cliff Line. This 1.6-mile streetcar line was the recipient of a $26 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and will be the first modern streetcar in Dallas.
Cleveland Track Material awarded several projects on low vibration ties
Cleveland Track Material will deliver five guarded, tangential geometry, double crossovers with 39-41-foot track centers on low vibration concrete tie blocks for the 2nd Avenue and 7 Line Extension projects in New York City.
Harsco CFO resigns, interim CFO named
Harsco Corporation received the resignation of Stephen Schnoor, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Barry Malamud, who currently serves as vice president and corporate controller, has been named as interim CFO and will assume the responsibilities of principal financial officer until a permanent CFO has been selected. Both changes are effective immediately.
AAR: Railroads committed to PTC implementation, despite challenges
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reinforced the railroad industry’s commitment to implementing PTC but recognized significant challenges remain to doing so.
CSX opens new TRANSFLO facility in Westborough
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray joined CSX, Town Manager Jim Malloy of Westborough and businesses to celebrate the opening of CSX’s TRANSFLO facility in Westborough, Mass.
NTSB praises Metrolink’s Commitment to Safety
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognized Southern California’s Metrolink as a national leader in the Positive Train Control (PTC) effort.
CTA awards second contract for Red Line South reconstruction
The Chicago Transit Authority awarded F. H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen and Associates, LLC, a $43.875-million contract for station improvement work related to the Red Line South reconstruction project.
First Nations and Alaskan Tribes show support for Alberta-Alaska rail link
Canada’s First Nations and Alaskan Tribes have expressed support for a new “purpose built” railway that would link Alaska with Yukon, northern British Columbia and northern Alberta to the rest of North America.
Amtrak substation repairs to be completed this week
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are making repairs to an Amtrak-owned electrical substation in Kearny, N.J., which will be completed Friday, Nov.16.
Honolulu receives rail delivery despite project’s hold status
The first 3,000 tons of steel track for Honolulu’s rail system arrived on Oahu last week. The shipment, more than 13,000 tons of steel track and other track-related materials, was blessed at a ceremony held Tuesday at Kalaeloa Harbor.
West leg of Calgary’s LRT to open Dec. 10, 2012
Calgary Transit’s West light-rail transit line in Calgary, AB, Canada, will open for service on Dec. 10, 2012, meeting the original start of service that was promised in 2009.