CN receives Toyota Canada’s Carrier of the Year Award
CN received Toyota Canada’s Carrier of the Year Award for 2011.
Armtec secures more than $30 million in rail projects in the Toronto area
Armtec Infrastructure Inc. has secured a number of rail infrastructure projects, valued at more than CA$30 million (US$29 million), within the Greater Toronto Area. These projects were anticipated as part of the previously announced CA$50 million (US$48.6 million) in new contracts that are expected to be booked during the fourth quarter.
Evraz to upgrade Pueblo, Colo. operation
EVRAZ plans to upgrade its Pueblo, Colo., rail facility. The upgrades are primarily focused on product quality and operational improvements and are also intended to expand head hardened rail manufacturing capacity.
Toronto airport rail link priced at $129 million, construction to begin in spring
Aecon Group Inc.’s joint venture with Dufferin Construction Company, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc., has reached commercial and financial close for the Air Rail Link “spur line” and passenger station at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The project is valued at CA$128.6 million (US$125 million).
Viterra signs service agreements with CN, CP
Viterra Inc. signed new service improvement agreements with both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.
Under the CN agreement, Viterra and CN will work together to review supply chain key performance indicators, cooperate on planning and forecasting and address supply chain issues in a timely manner. The agreement is based on the belief that the actions of all supply chain participants affect the performance of the entire chain.
Caltrans and Metrolink launch program displaying train travel times to tempt highway users
Southern California’s Caltrans and Metrolink have jointly developed a pilot project to show commuters that trains are a viable alternative to freeway traffic. Both train and freeway travel times are now displayed on electronic highway message signs near the Fullerton and Anaheim train stations.
UP not responsible for drugs smuggled on trains
Union Pacific will not be held liable for drugs hidden in its trains and carried across the border with Mexico nor will the railroad be responsible for paying multi-million dollar fines. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon ruled that U.S. border officials went beyond the authority granted U.S. Customs and Border Protection by Congress and signed an injunction prohibiting the Department of Homeland Security from seizing UP-owned equipment used in drug smuggling while in Mexican jurisdiction.
KCS’ Starling details infrastructure and equipment investment
Kansas City Southern President and CEO David Starling reviews 2011 and plans the next year’s progress for KCS.
CN and United Steelworkers reach tentative agreement for maintenance-of-way employees
Canadian National and the United Steelworkers Local 2004 have reached a tentative agreement to renew the labor contract for approximately 2,800 maintenance-of-way employees in Canada. The current agreement is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2011.
Despite the ax, Kresge remains committed to Detroit’s light rail project
Rip Rapson, the president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, issued a statement formally responding to the announcement that a long-planned light-rail project in Detroit would be abandoned in favor of a regional bus rapid transit system. The foundation is part of the private funding group that initiated the rail project. Members of that group, M1 Rail, together pledged almost $100 million. Kresge’s commitment is $35 million.
LIRR Train Time™ pilot launched
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road launched a pilot of LIRR Train TimeTM, a digital service that provides real-time train arrival status to customers using mobile devices or desktop computers. Starting December 19, LIRR customers using the Port Washington Branch will be able to use the service by going to http://mta.info/lirr/TrainTime.
RailAmerica chief commercial officer to retire
Charlie Patterson, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of RailAmerica Inc. plans to retire, effective December 31, 2011.
Safe Railroad Contractor of the Year Awards announced
The results of the 2011 NRC/RT&S/Commercial Insurance Associates Safe Railroad Contractor of the Year Awards are in. Enthusiastic participation in the contest continued this year, with 45 total railroad contracting companies preparing entries.
BART names new board president and vice president
Retired Oakland Fire Department Battalion Fire Chief John McPartland is the new Bay Area Rapid Transit Board president, an opportunity he says he’s fired up about as he aims to tackle challenges ranging from earthquake safety to extensions of BART service.
FASTRACK coming to NYCT
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to introduce FASTRACK, a new way of working on the rails. Beginning Monday, January 9, the 4, 5 and 6 lines will be shut down from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., suspending all Lexington Avenue Line service between Grand Central-42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue in both directions for four consecutive weeknights.
CP adds two to board of directors
Canadian Pacific appointed Tony Ingram and Edmond Harris, both seasoned railroad executives, to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately.
Sound Transit adopts 2012 budget, elects board chair and narrows focus on expansion
The Seattle-area Sound Transit Board of Directors adopted a 2012 budget that includes more than $700 million for new construction, as Sound Transit continues building the mass transit expansions voters approved in 2008.
NS moves forward with TIGER grant, plans to expand Harrisburg intermodal operations
This is an update to a story first reported on December 15, 2011, Click here.
Norfolk Southern is moving forward with plans to expand operations at its Rutherford Intermodal Facility near Harrisburg, Pa., after the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $15 million TIGER III grant to the project.
Rail-related projects receive $279 million in TIGER funds
United States Department of Transportation awarded $511 million in TIGER III discretionary grants to 46 capital construction projects in 33 states, of which $279 million of funding will go to rail-related projects.
West Virginia Ports Authority awarded $12 million for Heartland Corridor terminal
The West Virginia Ports Authority has been awarded $12 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct a long-planned intermodal terminal along Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor near Prichard, W.Va.