MTA awards Skanska $87 million Second Avenue Subway contract
Skanska USA’s civil construction business unit signed a contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Second Avenue Subway Systems project in New York City.
Southern California to put $1 billion into existing rail infrastructure
The Regional Council of the Southern California Association of Governments approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the California High Speed Rail Authority, other Southern California Transportation Agencies, San Diego Association of Governments and Metrolink to upgrade existing regional rail systems.
HART receives approval for advanced construction of rail route
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation received permission from the Federal Transit Administration to move forward with the next phase of construction of Oahu’s rail system.
Amtrak to increase western Michigan, northern Indiana speeds
Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have received federal approval to increase maximum speeds of Amtrak trains in western Michigan and northern Indiana to 110 mph following successful installation and testing of a positive train control safety system on Amtrak-owned track between Kalamazoo, Mich., and Porter, Ind.
Osage River bridge construction to begin this spring
Missouri transportation officials approved a project that will remove the last single-track bottleneck on the Union Pacific line between Jefferson City and St. Louis, Mo. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract for a new railroad bridge over the Osage River to OCCI, Inc., a construction company based in Fulton, Mo. When completed, the new bridge will significantly improve freight and passenger rail service.
Sen. Durbin commends Amtrak, Metra for actions to lower pollution
A collaborative effort among Amtrak, Metra and state and federal agencies to reduce diesel soot emissions and improve air quality in and around Union Station in Chicago has already produced positive results, but further progress requires the full cooperation of adjacent property owners, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) stated.
CN opens intermodal terminal in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Canadian National opened its newest intermodal terminal at Chippewa Falls, Wis. The terminal, located 100 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul, offers Wisconsin and Minnesota customers new supply chain options to ship and receive goods in containers.
RailComm expands remote control yard system at BNSF Memphis
RailComm has expanded its existing yard system at BNSF’s mechanical facility in Memphis, Tenn. RailComm’s Domain Operations Controller (DOC®) System is used to remotely control derails.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. hires Ann Reese
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. appointed Ann Reese to its board of directors, effective February 2, 2012. Reese will serve on GWI’s Audit Committee.
Amtrak requests less federal operating support
Amtrak is requesting $450 million in federal operating support for fiscal year 2013, a lower amount than the $466 million appropriated by Congress for FY 2012. The ability to seek reduced federal operating funding results from ongoing efforts by Amtrak to improve its financial performance, including increased efficiency, cost controls and debt reduction as well as better service, record ridership and anticipated increases in revenue.
CP expands its oil by rail operation to Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
Canadian Pacific, by leveraging its north mainline infrastructure, is now shipping crude oil by rail from a new transload facility near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. This new facility is a key enhancement to CP’s growing energy portfolio. It accommodates the initial transload and transportation needs of NuStar Energy LP, with a further planned expansion in 2012.
Wood Energy Group names Natalie Macey vice president sales and marketing
The Wood Energy Group, Inc., a division of Banyan Rail Services Inc., hired Natalie Ann Macey as vice president sales and marketing.
RailAmerica to acquire Michigan shortline, percentage of another
RailAmerica has signed an agreement to acquire Marquette Rail LLC for $40 million, subject to final adjustments for working capital. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and Surface Transportation Board approval.
Broward County and FEC Railway reach agreement to build Port Everglades rail facility
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners in Florida approved a 30-year lease and operating agreement with the Florida East Coast Railway, L.L.C., to develop an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at Port Everglades, which will allow freight to move more efficiently between south Florida and the southeast United States via rail. The facility will become operational at the beginning of 2014.
Construction of Atlanta Streetcar line kicks off
Construction has begun on a new 2.6-mile streetcar line in Georgia that will run through the heart of Atlanta’s business, tourism and convention corridor and bring jobs and new development to the city.
Axion to supply crossties to second Class 1 railroad
Axion International has received a purchase order for its first installation of ties from another Class 1 railroad. This represents the second of the nation’s Class 1 rail lines that Axion is doing business with, following a multi-year contract announced earlier in 2011.
House T&I Committee unveils Transportation Bill
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act. The initiative is a five-year, $260 billion infrastructure bill that reforms transportation programs and promotes increased domestic energy production to create American jobs.
AAR: Upping truck limits in Transportation bill does not offer a fix
The Association of American Railroads said the bill designed to fix the nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure will actually accelerate road and bridge damage and trigger an increase in taxpayer subsidies to the trucking industry, allowing for 20 percent heavier trucks and triple trailers.
Durbin: Increase rail investment under new Transportation Bill
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to increase funding for job creating Illinois rail and multimodal priorities, including rail line relocation grants, Amtrak and the TIGER grant program, in its bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Act. Durbin also urged the Committee to reject the proposals in the House Transportation bill that would eliminate or dramatically reduce funding for programs that are essential to creating jobs in downstate Illinois communities.
Birmingham Terminal Railway begins operations
The Birmingham Terminal Railway (BHRR) began operations at 12:01 a.m. Central time, Wednesday, Feb. 1. The railway was created by acquiring the assets of the Birmingham Southern Railway (BS).