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.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. enters agreement to acquire RailAmerica
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and RailAmerica, Inc. have entered into an agreement under which GWI will acquire RailAmerica for an all cash purchase price of $27.50 per share. GWI’s acquisition of RailAmerica will combine the two largest shortline and regional rail operators in North America.
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.
ASLRRA: Majority of Congress supports shortline tax credit
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association reached a major milestone by securing the 51st Senate co-sponsor of legislation to extend the Short Line Rehabilitation Tax Credit (45G). The legislation has now been sponsored by a majority of both houses of Congress.
Building demolition begins for future Berryessa BART Station
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority contractor Skanska Shimmick Herzog (SSH), a Joint Venture, will perform demolition of industrial buildings to prepare for construction of the future Berryessa Bay Area Rapid Transit Station campus July 19 through the end of August.
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.
Sound Transit’s Link light rail hits three-year mark
Seattle’s Sound Transit Link light rail turns three years old, amid continued steady ridership growth since opening day. Link has carried an estimated 21.6 million riders since it opened July 18, 2009.
CTA preps for track renewal project with job fair, land lease
The Chicago Transit Authority Board has approved a temporary lease for property that will be used as a staging area for construction related to the Red Line South Track Renewal Project.
PUCO approves upgrade of rail crossings in Logan and Scioto counties
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern to install flashing lights and gates at two grade crossings.
InnoTrans discounts registration to North American attendees
Hundreds of U.S. and Canadian buyers will make their way to InnoTrans this year at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds in Berlin, Germany. Show dates are September 18-21, 2012.
CTA plans $205 million maintenance and repair facility modernization
The Chicago Transit Authority unveiled a $205 million initiative that will rehabilitate and modernize the agency’s bus and rail maintenance facilities, which will benefit commuters and the local economy with the creation of more than new 500 jobs.
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.