IDOT recommends Springfield 10th Street alignment in Tier 1 DEIS for Chicago to St. Louis corridor

The Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement evaluating high-speed rail service improvements along the 280-mile Chicago to St. Louis Corridor was released on Tuesday, June 26. A key question with the improvements was what route to funnel freight and passenger traffic as it traversed through Springfield, Ill. The Illinois Department of Transportation recommended rail traffic be moved to the existing Norfolk Southern corridor running along 10th Street.

VIA Rail unveils plan to continue modernization

VIA Rail Canada, as part of its ongoing modernization, is taking action to better meet customer demand. VIA Rail is introducing significant improvements to its operations, including tracks, stations and trains, better interconnectivity with other carriers, enhanced customer experience and e-services.

UP plans Illinois infrastructure improvements

Union Pacific plans to enhance Illinois’ transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $25 million in the rail line that runs between Fults (about 30 miles south of Dupo) and near Chester. The project is in progress and is scheduled to be completed by mid-October. This work is in addition to the project Union Pacific is doing in 2012 on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s High Speed Rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis.

Port of Long Beach will accept federal grant for “Green Port Gateway”

Southern California’s Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the governing authority for the Port of Long Beach, voted to accept $17 million in funds from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery a federal transportation (TIGER) program to help fund the “Green Port Gateway,” which will improve rail flow and the environment at the Port of Long Beach.

Amtrak names new CIO

Amtrak has named Jason Molfetas as chief information officer to lead the company’s information technology team and develop and implement systems to support customer service initiatives, enhance business operations and improve financial performance.

$20 million federal investment jump-starts expansion of 95th Street CTA Station

The Chicago Transit Authority will be able to move forward on major upgrades to one of the busiest stations in its transit system as a result of an infusion of $20 million in federal funding to the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project. The intermodal project will reduce pedestrian and bus congestion, cut travel times, improve accessibility and create jobs on the South Side of the city.

CSX releases CSR Report

CSX Corporation unveiled its 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report outlining the company’s operations, environmental, social and financial performance.

RailComm adds CROR functionality to DOC System Software

Rail America has been using RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller (DOC) train control system to dispatch multiple subdivisions for their railroads since 2002. The DOC System at Rail America’s American Rail Dispatch Center will soon have the ability to dispatch based on Canadian Railroad Operating Rules (CROR). The new functionality is being designed in conjunction with Rail America personnel.

Barloworld and EMD form joint venture in Africa

Barloworld and Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp., a Caterpillar company, formed a joint venture, Electro-Motive Diesel Africa (Proprietary) Limited. The new joint venture will provide rail and transit customers with locomotive products and services, including access to diesel and emissions technology.