HRT to celebrate first anniversary of “The Tide”
Hampton Roads Transit in Virginia will mark the first birthday of The Tide light rail in Norfolk on Friday, August 17, with a celebration at the MacArthur Square station.
DART adds one to board, names general counsel
Dallas businessman James Adams is the newest member of the Board of Directors of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. He was appointed by the Dallas City Council.
Rep. Lucas visits FarmRail, discusses upcoming Oklahoma rail project
On August 13, Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) joined representatives from FarmRail System, RailWorks Corporation and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), along with Sayre, Okla., City Manager Guy Hylton and other local officials to discuss an upcoming rail project on the rail line between Sayre and Clinton, Okla., and the positive impact the project will have on the region.
UP performing $7.4 million in Missouri infrastructure improvements
Union Pacific is enhancing Missouri’s transportation infrastructure by investing $7.4 million in the rail line that runs just west of Jefferson City and Pleasant Hill. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
CTA marks 16 consecutive months of ridership growth
Chicago Transit Authority ridership has continued its upward trend in the first six months of 2012, with June marking the 16th consecutive month of ridership increases.
Sound Transit awarded $400,000 energy efficiency grant
The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded Sound Transit $400,000 towards energy efficiency projects, including new lighting at the Federal Way, Auburn and Kent transit centers. The improvements covered by the grant will save more than an estimated $80,000 a year in utility and operations costs and allow the agency to leverage an additional $175,000 in utility rebates.
L.B. Foster provides 11,000 CXT concrete ties for Tesoro refinery
L.B. Foster Company has been awarded a contract by RailWorks Track Systems, Inc., to supply 11,000 of its CXT Concrete Ties for the construction of an unloading facility at the Tesoro oil products refinery in Anacortes, Wash.
Winchester Electronics Corporation acquires Clements National Company
Winchester Electronics Corporation has acquired Clements National Company, headquartered in Broadview, Ill. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
FRA says meeting PTC deadline unlikely, recommends extension
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a report titled Positive Train Control Implementation Status, Issues, and Impacts to Congress this month reporting on progress of the railroad carriers in implementing PTC systems.
CSX Intermodal Terminals, EMH&T win engineering excellence award
CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc., and EMH&T have won the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Ohio “2012 Engineering Excellence Outstanding Achievement Award” for the design of CSX Intermodal Terminal’s Northwest Ohio intermodal terminal.
Houston METRO targets worker safety during summer’s extreme heat
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas (METRO) and contractor Houston Rapid Transit are blazing light-rail tracks on the North, East and Southeast lines and chilling 9,000 pounds of ice each day to make sure crews stay cool enough to work during the season’s high temperatures. The transit authority says maintaining safety on the new lines (scheduled to open in 2014) calls for expertise and coordination and Safety Coordinator Daniel Motley has plenty to offer. Motley comes to METRO with 30-plus years of experience, most recently in the mid-east as construction safety leader for one of the largest petro-chemical projects ever attempted. Today, he is in the field daily, checking on rail expansion crews and work conditions.
Watco Compliance Service names VP engineering
Carl Hybinette has joined the Watco Compliance Service Team as vice president of engineering. Hybinette will be responsible for the day-to-day compliance and engineering activities at Watco Compliance Services.
CN invests US$35 million in Wisconsin to serve Superior Silica Sands
Canadian National and Superior Silica Sands have entered into a multi-year agreement to move frac sand from a new processing plant now under construction in northern Wisconsin.
Alion awarded $10 Million FRA contract to study human performance in rail operations and maintenance
To enhance safety and improve railroad operations, the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded Alion Science and Technology a contract with a ceiling of $10 million to conduct research that gauges human performance in rail operations and maintenance. The global engineering, R&D, IT and operational solutions company will provide technical expertise to FRA’s Human Factors Research Division, which aims to reduce human factors that cause train, trespasser and grade crossing accidents.
New rail horn technology project continues in Del Mar, Calif.
As part of a pilot program to install wayside horns in the city of Del Mar, Calif., crews are beginning to construction of pedestrian crossing improvements at Coast Blvd.
Reading and Northern Railroad hires Dennis Shaffer
Reading and Northern Railroad hired Dennis Shaffer as vice president of business development, effective August 20, 2012.
FTA green lights LACMTA’s Westside Subway Extension Project
The Federal Transit Administration granted the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority a Record of Decision (ROD) for the $5.6 billion Westside Subway Extension,
Feasibility study to look at proposed rail line in Quebec/Labrador iron ore range
Canadian National says that a customer group of mining companies, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Ltd., New Millennium Iron Corp., Cap-Ex Ventures Ltd., and Alderon Iron Ore Corp.
Westmoreland discusses rail industry in Georgia
U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) joined local officials and representatives from the offices of Senators Chambliss and Isakson, the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, STX Railroad Construction, CSXT and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia to discuss the
SFMTA issues statement regarding use of switchbacks
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board Chairman Tom Nolan and Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin issued a statement on the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury Report, “Better Muni Service Needed, Without Switchbacks.”