Dr. Zarembski hired at the University of Delaware
Dr. Allan M. Zarembski accepted a position as research professor and director of the Railroad Engineering and Safety Program, Department of Civil Engineering, at the University of Delaware.
Secretary LaHood highlights expanded TIFIA program
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that up to $17 billion in loans for critical infrastructure projects across the country would be available as a result of the recently enacted surface transportation bill.
BART outlines roadmap to boost small business
Bay Area Rapid Transit in the San Francisco Bay area is looking to give small businesses a boost by increasing contracting opportunities within the transit district. At a recent board of directors meeting, BART’s Office of Civil Rights outlined a comprehensive strategy to change the agency’s processes in awarding contracts to small businesses, especially socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and those who employ disabled veterans. The plan was met with enthusiasm from the community during the meeting with one observer calling it a model for the Bay Area and even the nation.
APTA names SEPTA outstanding public transit system for 2012
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority was honored by the American Public Transportation Association with the 2012 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award for efforts to enhance service, efficiencies and overall effectiveness.
Union Pacific elects John Koraleski to Board of Directors
Union Pacific Corporation elected John Koraleski to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Koraleski serves as president and chief executive officer of Union Pacific Corporation, as well as president and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad Company. All Union Pacific Corporation board members serve concurrently on the railroad’s board of directors.
MTA completes tunnel boring on megaprojects
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that on Monday, Molina, the tunnel boring machine digging the last of the four East Side Access tunnels in Queens, came to a halt six feet underneath the Long Island Rail Road mainline in Long Island City, completing its run. The milestone marks the end of tunnel boring for the East Side Access project and all MTA megaprojects.
Sen. Durbin, CSX’s Ward discuss rail safety
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the CEO of CSX Michael Ward to discuss improving rail safety. Durbin asked the Association of American Railroads to conduct a comprehensive review of railroad industry plans and practices to ensure trains can move safely and efficiently throughout the country during extreme weather events. Durbin also requested that the findings of this review be made available to the public.
Phoenix LRT route gets OK from local government
Phoenix Arizona’s Valley Metro received regional approval from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) on the route and transit mode for the Phoenix West extension. Light rail will be extended 11 miles from downtown Phoenix, through the State Capitol area, to approximately 79th Avenue and the I-10 West freeway. This is Valley Metro’s first freeway corridor project, providing the growing West Valley with a higher-capacity and more efficient transit option by 2023.
TriMet receives delivery of girders for LRT project, hits ridership record
TriMet in Portland, Ore., received a delivery of 64 steel girders for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project. The girders will support the Project’s Harbor Structure decking that will carry the light rail over and under several roadways in South Waterfront.
Metrolinx to build new station in Acton for GO trains
Metrolinx in Toronto, ON, Canada, is moving forward on its plans for a new Acton GO Station.
Amtrak unveils Washington Union Station plan
Amtrak has released a Master Plan to revitalize the terminal at Washington Union Station.
RTD Board approves I-225 LRT proposal
The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District Board of Directors formally approved a proposal by Kiewit Infrastructure Co. to complete the I-225 Light Rail Line to Peoria by November 2015. The line would open in mid-2016 after about six months of testing. With a vote of 14-0 and one member absent, the RTD Board’s decision paves the way for the agency to complete another FasTracks rail line. On July 3, RTD staff recommended the proposal to the board after finding that it offered the best value with a financially sound solution that allows RTD to take advantage of the current market. The Kiewit team includes Mass. Electric Construction Co., AECOM and RBC Capital Markets.
SunRail readies to receive 13 miles of cwr
The Florida Department of Transportation is scheduled to receive nearly 13 miles of rail beginning Monday, July 30 through Wednesday, August 1 for commuter SunRail trains to run on.
L.B. Foster receives company’s largest order ever for rail products
L.B. Foster Company has been awarded the company’s largest rail products contract, valued at approximately $60 million, by contractor Kiewit/Kobayashi, a Joint Venture, for the county-wide construction of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) passenger transit system. L.B. Foster rail, concrete ties, direct fixation fasteners, third rail with accessories and special trackwork will be installed throughout the Honolulu Rail Transit Project’s new elevated railway system and maintenance yard.
Baker to study D.C.-area rail bridge
Michael Baker Jr., Inc., a unit of Michael Baker Corporation, has been awarded a $1.57 million contract by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation for a comprehensive study of Long Bridge over the Potomac River to assess existing conditions and options for rehabilitation or replacing the bridge crossing in the future. The heavily-used bridge carries traffic for three railroads, CSX (the bridge owner), Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express and is the sole railroad bridge between the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Harsco names James F. Earl to Board of Directors
Harsco Corporation elected James F. Earl to the Harsco Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Evergreen Line contract awarded
A $2-million Trans Link Evergreen Line contract for work to prepare for the relocation of railway tracks in Coquitlam and Port Moody, B.C., Canada, has been awarded to BEL Contracting.
Expanded Intermodal Design Seminar now available at AREMA Conference
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association revised and expanded the Intermodal Design Seminar to be given in association with the Annual AREMA Conference in Chicago, Ill., in September 2012. This seminar has been redesigned by railroad personnel and industry consultants into two complementary sections: planning and engineering.
Stella-Jones stops acquisition of Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd.
Stella-Jones Inc. will not proceed with the acquisition of certain pole treating assets of Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd., a provider of treated wood poles located in British Columbia.
Kansas DOT awards Unitrac a $3.4 million contract
Unitrac Railroad Materials, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Healey Railroad Corporation and a specialty trackwork manufacturer and distributor of new and relay rail, has received a $3.4 million award for a Kansas Department of Transportation project. The contract involves furnishing rail and other track components for the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad.