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.

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.

ACE to approve San Gabriel trench contract

The Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority Board of Directors is expected to award a $172.6 million contract on July 23 to construct a 1.4-mile railroad trench for Union Pacific freight and Amtrak passenger trains with street bridges built at four crossings, in San Gabriel, Calif.

Springfield, Mass., Union Station to receive $21 million for renovation

Nearly $21 million in federal funding has been formally approved for the Springfield, Mass., Union Station and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, according to a statement from Rep. Richard Neal’s office . Approximately $17 million will be used in the planned renovation of the historic landmark in the city’s northern blocks region and an additional $3.9 million will be directed to the PVTA for the maintenance of the local public transportation system.

Watco names VP of Transportation Safety

Watco Transportation Services promoted Michael Gibson to vice president of transportation safety. Gibson will begin his duties in the position on August 1 and will also serve as interim Gulf Regional vice president of operations until that position is filled.

Arbitrator appointed for CP labor disputes

William Kaplan has been appointed arbitrator in the disputes between Canadian Pacific Railway and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, representing bargaining units of approximately 220 rail traffic controllers and 4, 200 locomotive engineers, conductors, trainspersons and yardmen.

Sen. Schumer urges FRA to unlock funding for international rail station

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) urged the Federal Railroad Administration to work with western New York stakeholders and City of Niagara Falls officials to finalize the last procedural steps to unlock an approved $16,500,000 in Department of Transportation funding for the Niagara Falls Intermodal Transportation Center.

OmniTRAX managing director and EVP retires

Mike Ogborn will retire from OmniTRAX, Inc., as its managing director and executive vice president. Ogborn began his career with OmniTRAX representing it before the Interstate Commerce Commission and other venues in the mid-1980’s and then spent the next 20 years working within the company in various capacities. After retirement, he will continue to serve the company as a member of the OmniTRAX Advisory Board and will provide consulting services to it.

Dulles Rail aerial guideway complete

The Bechtel Corporation-led team building Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor extension project completed construction of the aerial guideway that will carry Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority trains and passengers over major highways and through

CHSRA releases revised Environmental Impact Report for Fresno to Bakersfield section

The California High-Speed Rail Authority released a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 114-mile Fresno to Bakersfield Project section. This document provides alternatives for public consideration and comment; no decisions have yet been made on these proposals. In its continued efforts to receive public participation in its process, the CHSRA has lengthened the public comment period to 60 days, which is 15 days more than what is required by law.