CSX names Diana Sorfleet vice president and chief human resources officer

Diana Sorfleet has joined CSX Corporation as vice president and chief human resources officer, reporting to Lisa Mancini, senior vice president and chief administrative officer.

"We’re very pleased to welcome Diana to the CSX team. Her experience in a safety-focused industry and her commitment to industry-leading human resources practices make her a perfect fit for CSX," Mancini said.

Sorfleet comes to CSX following a long career with Exelon Corporation, where she worked for two decades in the human resources department, most recently as vice president for diversity and development.

 

Sen. Kirk presents plan for Private-Public Partnership in transportation

Sen. Mark Kirk (D-IL) revealed legislation to mobilize $100 billion in private investment to build new roads, railroads and airports.

"Our roads, rail, transit and airports are facing unprecedented funding shortfalls," Senator Kirk said. "We should not further burden working families with higher gas taxes. Instead, we should look to our own economic history to find a solution."

Kirk referenced a National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study commission that said, current highway, bridge, public transit, freight and passenger rail funding needs are approximately $225 billion per year through 2055, while current spending is less than $90 billion per year.

The bill would increase annual funding from $122 million to $750 million for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, a loan program that helps finance major transportation projects, including those with private-public partnerships. It would enable more than $7 billion in loans for projects totaling more than $21 billion yearly.

The plan would add eligibility to high-speed rail projects and development costs under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program and allow projects such as high-speed rail to use future dedicated revenues or user fees in place of collateral to lower credit risk premiums.

 

Schumer wants $2.2 billion for East Side Access Rail Project

Sen., Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on the Federal Railroad Administration to direct $2.2 billion in unused railroad funds forfeited by New Jersey’s for the Access to the Region’s Core tunnel project to cover the remaining costs of the East Side Access tunnel project.

New Jersey was slated to receive funding of $2.2 billion of the $35 billion Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing program to move forward with the ARC tunnel. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pulled the plug on the project, possibly making the East Side Access tunnel project the largest single infrastructure project in the country.

"This project is one of the single-largest transportation initiatives in the country, it is a game changer for New York City and Long Island that will save untold amounts of travel time for millions of commuters and boost the city as the economic engine of the region," said Sen. Schumer.

The East Side Access Project, a joint federal-state effort, is a rail link from the Long Island Rail Road, via the 63rd Street Tunnel, to Grand Central Terminal. The project is on trajectory to run out of funding at the end of 2011. Schumer urged U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood in a letter to break precedent for this project.

"Bringing the East Side Access tunnel project to completion will not only enhance our transportation infrastructure enabling more efficient travel for Long Islanders into both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, but serve as an economic development juggernaut for the entire New York metropolitan region," said Sen. Schumer.

Visit Senator Schumer’s website to read the letter.

UP invests $23.1 million for track improvements in Idaho

Union Pacific will continue improving Idaho’s transportation infrastructure with a $23.1 million investment in the rail line that runs from Weiser to Mountain Home in the west and from Pocatello to Idaho Falls in the east.

The 180-mile project includes removing and installing new rail and more than 206,000 railroad ties along this critical railroad corridor through Idaho. Crews will spread 106,000 tons of ballast to ensure a stable roadbed.

 

Virginia’s HRT sets debut date

Passengers can board The Tide, Virginia’s Hampton Roads Transit light-rail line, an estimated $338 million dollar project, Aug. 19 for a free three-day preview before regular paid service begins Aug. 22.

The Tide had three previously missed opening dates. The latest delay in opening the system was because of issues with getting the safety signal and communications systems ordered, installed and tested.

Between now and August, HRT must still complete light-rail operator certifications; monitor and adjust signaling and timing systems that balance rail operations and traffic flow on city streets and finish construction of the three park-and-ride lots at Ballentine Boulevard, Military Highway and Newtown Road.

According to a report in The Viginia-Pilot, The tide is $106 million over budget but HRT President and CEO Philip Shucet said he still does not plan on spending all of the budgeted $338 million to complete the project. He said he doesn’t anticipate dipping into the $10 million contingency fund and believes he could possibly save more.

The project funds are comprised of $196 million from federal sources, $71 million from the state and $71 million from the city.

 

 

CTA to accelerate security initiatives

Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool plans to double the number of security cameras across the rail system, while also working with police to enhance security for passengers. Under the plan, Chicago police will deploy teams, called Wolfpacks, as well as plainclothes officers to patrol the system.

Cameras will be deployed along platforms and in other non-public secure areas in just six months.

"Using this innovative approach, we will saturate our system with cameras, so that potential criminal activity is recorded no matter where it occurs," said Claypool.

Images captured from CTA security camera footage have been used by police to solve both CTA-related crimes and crimes that occur in the vicinity of CTA buses and rail stations.

After reviewing existing security measures, CTA and CPD also developed a plan to redeploy resources to adjust and upgrade coverage. Transit officers will be assigned to Wolfpack patrols that will be deployed across the system based on daily analysis of crime patterns and trends.

"By quickly expanding our security camera network to include multiple cameras at all stations, we’ll be better equipped to capture images of offenders and assist the police," added Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson. "And by adjusting policing strategies, the public transit unit will provide an even greater deterrent to theft and hooliganism."

Currently, there are nearly 1,500 security cameras installed and operating on rail stations and platforms. Each camera provides a live feed to the CTA control center and the city’s Office of Emergency Management Communications.

In addition to completing installation at stations, security cameras will also be added to CTA rail cars, although this initiative is still in the early stages.

 

Coos Bay rail line annexed to Port of Coos Bay

Oregon’s Coos Bay Rail line was annexed into the Port of Coos Bay’s Port District with legislation signed by Gov. John Kitzhaber. By giving the Port control of the rail line, it gives the Port eligibility to apply for additional grants and loans not otherwise available to them.

The rail line runs from Danebo in West Eugene to Coquille in Coos County.

 

BART Board to discuss late night service

The BART Board of Directors will discuss at its June 23 meeting whether to proceed with a pilot proposal for later service on Friday nights.

BART has been gathering public input on the proposal that would extend service by one hour on Friday nights but would also mean starting service one hour later on Saturday mornings because crucial work for maintenance and safety can only be done when trains are not in service. The board will review the results at the meeting.

 

Trees and trains: NS and GreenTrees launch conservation program

Norfolk Southern signed a $5.6 million, five-year reforestation and carbon sequestration agreement with GreenTrees, LLC, and planted a ceremonial first tree at the Rick Lowery Farm.

Under the program, NS and GreenTrees will plant 6.04 million trees on 10,000 acres in the Mississippi Delta area served by the railroad, significantly offsetting the company’s CO2 emissions while creating a national environmental legacy.

"Norfolk Southern as a company is dependent on carbon-based fuels and other natural resources. We use them, and we transport them for our customers and communities. Fortunately, rail is the safest, cleanest, and most efficient transport mode. Where we are evolving is in our ability to serve as a balancing force in protecting the environment. The GreenTrees initiative is a substantive long-term commitment to doing just that," said NS CEO Wick Moorman.

The plantings will represent 211 trees for every NS employee, 299 trees for every mile of NS track or 1,450 trees for every NS locomotive. Over time, the trees should deliver more than a million carbon offsets.

 

 

AECOM alliance wins US$15-million contract for new rail link in Australia

AECOM Technology Corporation announced that its TrackStar alliance was awarded a US$15 million contract to build transit rail infrastructure in Queensland, Australia.

The Richlands-to-Springfield section of the Darra-to-Springfield Rail program west of Brisbane, which has a construction value of US$488 million, comprises six miles of dual track and two stations at Springfield and Springfield Lakes, including 100- and 200-space park-and-ride facilities.

"The new rail line will help reduce congestion and ease the commutes of travelers on Centenary Highway," said John M. Dionisio, AECOM president and chief executive officer.

AECOM will be providing civil and structural design of all road and rail infrastructure on the project, including alignments, drainage, pavements, utilities, bridges, station buildings and associated urban and landscape design.

 

 

Toronto tunnel boring for subway extension begins

Peter Kent, Canadian minister of the environment; along with Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s minister of transportation; Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto; York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Karen Stintz participated in an event to officially start tunnel boring construction for the estimated $2.6 billion Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project.

"This is an important occasion that marks the beginning of a vital connection to Vaughan, establishing the first of two north-south subway lines, connecting to the overall transit network in southern Ontario," said Fisch. "Extending subway lines north will help reduce congestion and travel times and will benefit those living, working and commuting around the Greater Toronto Area region."

The TYSSE is an 8.6-kilometer extension of the Toronto transit commission’s Yonge University-Spadina subway line from its present terminal at Downsview Station to the Vaughan Metropolitan Center. It will have six new stations, including one at York University. TYSSE project is targeted for completion in late 2015.

Canada’s federal government announced funding of up to C$697 million (US$712 million) for this subway extension with C$622 million (US$636 million) coming from the Building Canada Fund and C$75 million (US$77 million) from Public Transit Capital Trust; the Province of Ontario has provided C$870 million (US$889 million) for the subway extension through the Move Ontario Trust; the city of Toronto is contributing C$526 million (US$537 million) to the project, which is a key piece of the TTC’s transit infrastructure and the Regional Municipality of York is contributing C$352 million (US360 million) to the subway extension as a key part of its vivaNext plan.

The remaining funds for the project will be provided from interest revenue from the Move Ontario Trust.

 

If Minnesota government shuts down, transit will still run

Metro Transit buses, Hiawatha light rail and Northstar commuter rail will continue to operate at the current level of service in the event of a state government shutdown that could begin July 1. Barring an unlikely court decision to the contrary, the transit agency plans to operate all services beyond July 1.

While Metro Transit cannot continue service indefinitely without state funding, it can use customer fares and reserve funds to operate for a period of time. The Metropolitan Council, which oversees Metro Transit, will also continue to operate Metro Mobility, Transit Link dial-a-ride service and other contracted regular-route transit services. The Council also plans to continue construction activities on Central Corridor, unless the court determines otherwise.

The Metropolitan Council, like state agencies, has been working with the Dayton administration on contingency planning in the unfortunate event of a state government shutdown.

In the event of a $110-million reduction in the state’s general fund commitment to transit, described in the House/Senate Transportation bill, the Council will begin the process of holding hearings and implementing fare and service adjustments.

Check the Metro Transit or Metropolitan Council website for further updates.

 

CSXT partners with companies in Ohio for intermodal training

CSXT contracted with two prominent Ohio, Wood county organizations to prepare and train employees at the recently opened intermodal facility outside of North Baltimore.

Owens Community College provided a training curriculum for employees utilizing new state-of-the-art technology and equipment, while Wood County Hospital offered post-employment medical testing and screening.

The Owens Community College training focuses on the operation of the wide span cranes and shuttle carriers, which will be used for the transfer of cargo onto trains and trucks. The five electric cranes stationed at the $175 million hub are each ten stories high and can lift more than 40 tons of cargo.

"The new terminal is a welcome addition to this region and will certainly play a key role in economic development and growth for years to come," said Michael Bankey, Owens vice president of workforce and community services

The Northwest Ohio Terminal is the cornerstone of the National Gateway, a new double-stack freight rail corridor between East coast sea ports and the Midwest. The new facility employs more than 200 full-time employees and will serve as the transfer point for hundreds of thousands of freight containers annually.

 

Rep. Fleischmann joins House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican from Tennessee, has been named to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"As a small businessperson, Congressman Fleischmann knows the importance of making wise investments in infrastructure and reducing burdensome federal regulations for businesses. His experience and background make him a welcome addition to the Committee," said Chairman John Mica.

"While transportation and infrastructure are vitally important to the future of America, and I understand the need to work towards creating a solid, reliable infrastructure system across this great nation, I also understand that our country is spending money it does not have. I am committed to working with the rest of the members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to create a strong, competitive and financially viable infrastructure system," said Rep. Fleishmann.

 

Amtrak celebrates Heartland Flyer 12th anniversary, names new CIO

Communities along the Oklahoma City-Fort Worth route of the state-supported Amtrak Heartland Flyer celebrated the 12th anniversary of daily passenger rail service on Saturday, June 18. Amtrak is offering a special anniversary fare promotion that will be available until June 30.

"This service has exceeded its ridership expectations from the day it started and even in the current economic climate, is on a record-setting pace," said Mike Chandler, who is responsible for the Heartland Flyer service as Amtrak general superintendent of the Southwest division.

Since this Amtrak fiscal year began October 1, 2010, and through May 2011, ridership on the Heartland Flyer has grown by nearly 10 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Total ridership since the Heartland Flyer inauguration on June 14, 1999, now totals 790,713.

In other news, Ronald Sorozan has been appointed as chief information officer and will provide leadership for all Amtrak information technology, effective June 20.

Sorozan has more than 25 years of experience in the technology field including his most recent position as group information officer of operations, engineering and maintenance at Amtrak that provided him in-depth knowledge of Amtrak’s national operational and business functions. In addition, Sorozan has held CIO/VP IT positions with DynCorp International, Holland America Line and other respected organizations. He also brings knowledge of reservation applications, e-ticketing and other related systems of prime interest to Amtrak.

"In his time with Amtrak, Ron has demonstrated his abilities on many major IT initiatives by streamlining several systems and applying a customer satisfaction and staff productivity focus," said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

Sorozan will be responsible for leading all technology matters for Amtrak, including the continuation of the Strategic Asset Management program designed to modernize all business operations, provide timely data warehousing for decision support, life-cycle/retirement of aging infrastructure and applications and managing the large national out-source partnerships.

Invensys wins Romanian contract

Metrorex, the operator of Romania’s Bucharest Metro, has awarded a contract to Invensys Rail technology for the signaling of its Line 4 extension.

Invensys Rail will provide its signalling technology to two new stations of Bucharest Metro’s Line 4, Pajura and Parc Bazilescu, which are in addition to the existing four stations, which have been all equipped with Invensys technology since commissioning in 2000.

Within the scope of the project, which has a duration of 12 months, Automatic Train Protection systems and Automatic Train Operation systems, based on speed codes, as well as a Passenger Information System and Passenger Announcement System, will be installed in the new extension. Invensys will also provide the uninterrupted energy system and the distribution and commutation energy system in the new stations.

Line 4, which travels across the North of the Romanian capital, is the most recent of the four lines of the Bucharest Metro and is four kilometers long. In addition to this recently awarded extension, the construction of one new station and a branch line to connect Line 4 with the city’s airport, have also been planned.

Timken appoints Skelly director of sales for the Americas

The Timken Company named James Skelly to the position of director of sales for the Americas.

In this role, Skelly will be responsible for leading the sales team in North and South America, focusing on sales to original-equipment manufacturers in the off-highway, heavy truck, process industries and health and positioning control markets.

During his 26 years with Timken, Skelly has held positions of increasing responsibility including product manager, operations manager, regional manager for original equipment sales and general manager of business development for the company’s distribution network.

$25 million in federal grants arrives at NJ Transit

The Department of Transportation is transferring nearly $25 million to NJ Transit.

The first $22 million grant was awarded on a competitive basis through the agency’s new initiative, State of Good Repair program, that was announced in 2010. The funding will be used to replace approximately 40 older buses with new, 45-foot compressed natural gas buses. Another $2.5 million is headed to New Jersey from the Department of Transportation’s Transit Investment for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction grant program to install energy efficient heaters to help improve the safety and efficiency of railroads during colder weather.

 

CN’s Alberta shortline rail acquisitions, upgrades total C$400 million

Canadian National has invested almost C$400 million (US$408 million) to buy and rehabilitate four shortline railways serving resource-rich regions of northern Alberta, Canada, by year-end 2011.

"CN has stepped up to the plate in Alberta with sizable rail infrastructure investments," Claude Mongeau, president and CEO of CN said. "Since 2006, we’ve purchased four rail shortlines that are key to economic growth and prosperity in northern Alberta and have spent significant sums to maintain and improve them.

"Reliable, consistent rail service is essential to current and future oil sands and resource developments and our infrastructure investments represent a clear and meaningful commitment to help foster that growth with quality rail transportation for our customers."

Mongeau said CN’s short-line acquisitions and improvements have helped solidify its freight franchise in northern Alberta, characterized by important volumes of coal, sulphur, petroleum coke, steel pipe, grain, wood pulp, lumber and diesel fuel.
CN paid a total of C$76 million (US$7.1 million) in 2006 and 2007 to buy the Mackenzie Northern Railway, Lakeland & Waterways Railway, Savage Alberta Railway, Inc., and the Athabasca Northern Railway.

Between 2006 and 2010, CN spent C$260 million (US$265 million) to upgrade the infrastructure of these lines, including the installation of new rail, ties, ballast, track, other track materials, bridges, sidings and communication technology, and expects to spend another C$45 million (US$46 million) this year on further upgrades.

As part of its purchase agreement, CN targeted the former ANY line to Fort McMurray for the largest portion of the improvements, a C$135 million (US$138 million) rehabilitation program, which remains on-track to be completed by the end of 2011. CN’s purchase and upgrading plan for the ANY was based on long-term traffic volume guarantees negotiated with shippers Suncor Energy Inc., OPTI Canada Inc., and Nexen Inc.

CN plans to build a new Calgary Logistics Park, which will provide transportation solutions to rail customers moving products and commodities into and out of Calgary, a key logistics hub for consumer and industrial goods markets in southern Alberta.

 

US DOT makes $175 million in “livability” grants to increase, improve transportation options

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made up to $175 million available in livability grants to help urban, suburban and rural communities develop transit options to better connect people to where they live, work and play. Local transit agencies will be able to compete for livability dollars from the pool. The competitive grant program will begin accepting applications the week of June 20.

The announcement comes on the second anniversary of the creation of the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Livability grants are aimed at assuring that transportation and housing decisions are made jointly and recognize the unique character of each community.

"Coordinated transportation and housing planning can make the best use of scarce federal dollars and can help create jobs, lower transportation costs and reduce our dependence on oil," said Secretary LaHood. "Communities where people have access to affordable housing and different forms of transportation to get to places that are important to them are communities where people want to live."

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities is a collaborative effort among the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency to help American families gain better access to affordable housing, better transportation options and lower transportation costs. 
 


"In addition to the need for affordable housing, the Obama Administration recognizes the necessity for safe, convenient and affordable transportation," said Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff. "We’re helping to better connect communities and create reliable transit choices so that people can make it home from work in time to sit down to dinner with their families or help their kids with homework. That means a higher quality of life for all Americans and a more efficient and more usable transportation network for moving people and goods."