California High-Speed Rail Authority hires regional director

California High-Speed Rail Authority named Timothy Buresh to the position of Southern California regional director, overseeing the planning of the high-speed rail alignment from south of Bakersfield to San Diego. In this capacity, Buresh will be the lead representative for the Authority throughout the most populous region of our state.

"This historic project has long needed strong leadership and representation in the southern part of our state. Tim Buresh brings significant executive professional engineering and construction experience to this project. I am pleased that he will guide these key segments of the statewide system to bring the benefits of high-speed rail to the major metropolitan areas in Southern California sooner rather than later," said, Roelof van Ark, chief executive officer of the authority.

Buresh has more than 30 years of executive experience with civil and public works projects, in all aspects of engineering, construction, project development and organizational management. He has overseen large design‐build and design‐bid‐build contracts in California. He further brings experience in large program environmental management including environmental mitigation, permitting, regulatory, outreach and contract skills.

"I see the huge potential this project has to transform our state’s transportation network and the intricacies that lie ahead to implement high-speed rail from the Central Valley through the LA Basin and into San Diego. I believe strongly this project can be and should be accomplished for California’s future," said Tim Buresh.

UP publishes second annual Sustainability and Citizenship Report

Union Pacific published its second annual Sustainability and Citizenship Report highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, employee training and development, customer and community support, shareholder value and the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics.

"Our success is attributed to the hard work and dedication of our employees, communicating with stakeholders and delivering value for customers," said Robert Turner, senior vice president Corporate Relations. "We continuously strive to improve the ways we protect the environment, serve as an employer of choice, provide great customer service and deliver shareholder results."

Highlights of Union Pacific’s 2010 Sustainability and Citizenship Report:

• The company announced a fuel consumption rate reduction goal of one percent annually from 2011 to 2015, as measured on a gross-ton mile basis. Attaining this goal would represent a 23 percent fuel-efficiency improvement since 2000.

• The railroad reduced its greenhouse gas emissions rate from locomotives by three percent on a gross-ton mile basis compared to 2009.

• Union Pacific improved fuel efficiency by three percent, saving more than 27 million gallons of diesel fuel compared to 2009.

• Employees recorded the safest year in company history with a 1.37 reportable injury rate, a six percent improvement over 2009.

• The company conducted more than 7,300 safety outreach and training events, reaching more than 450,000 people.

• Union Pacific donated more than $14 million and supported more than 2,500 nonprofits through a combination of Union Pacific Foundation, matching gifts and corporate contributions.

• The railroad delivered record earnings per share, operating income, net income and operating ratio.

• The company earned an all-time best customer satisfaction score.

 

Metrolink to improve riskiest grade crossing

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board approved funds in the amount of $6 million for improvements to a railroad crossing at Doran Street, in Glendale, which is said to be the riskiest crossing on the Metrolink line.

According to the LA Times, Metrolink says the improvements will include better signals, new crossing gates, enlarging the intersection so vehicles don’t line up on the tracks, a wider turning radius for trucks and safety enhancements related to the nearby propane company.

"Doran has been an issue for a decade," said Richard Katz, who is on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority and Metrolink boards. "We are now moving very quickly to make improvements."

The project will be provided by Measure R funds totaling $6.6 million, $6 million for the project plus a 10 percent contingency.

 

INDOT soliciting public input for state rail plan

The Indiana Department of Transportation is soliciting public participation and involvement in development of an updated Indiana State Rail Plan. Surveys are being sent to railroads, businesses and other groups that depend upon rail transportation. INDOT also wants to hear from rail users and other public stakeholders.

INDOT is hosting three Rail Planning Open Houses between June 1 and June 7 in areas that generate the state’s highest volumes of freight and/or passenger rail traffic. Brief formal presentations will be given at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The remaining time during the open houses will be informal, and citizens are invited to attend at any time to speak with members of INDOT’s Rail Office one-on-one and fill out a paper survey.
Open Houses:
• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 
INDOT’s Vincennes District Office, 3650 South U.S. Highway 41, Vincennes, IN.

• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, June 2, 2011,
INDOT’s Indianapolis Traffic Management Center, 8620 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN.

• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, June 7, 2011,
INDOT’s LaPorte District Office, 315 East Boyd Blvd, LaPorte, IN.

Citizens that have questions regarding the three Rail Planning Open Houses or need special assistance should call (317) 232-4786.

PUCO issues 2010 crossing report

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has released the Ohio Grade Crossing Statistics Report 2010. The annual report details the PUCO’s role in highway-rail grade crossing safety and provides current and historical crossing data.

"Rail crossing safety is a top priority for the PUCO," Chairman Todd Snitchler stated. "In 2010, the PUCO ordered 133 crossing safety upgrades, including the installation of lights and gates, supplemental assistance funding and circuitry upgrades."

As a crossroads state, Ohio is home to a significant amount of rail traffic. Thousands of trains operate on nearly 5,300 miles of track and over 6,000 public crossings, making Ohio the fifth leading state in terms of goods transported by rail.

Since the 1980’s the PUCO has worked to improve safety at Ohio’s public highway-rail grade crossings through education and outreach, crossing inspections, local funding opportunities and the installation of safety improvements at crossings across the state. Over this period of time, the annual number of train-vehicle crashes has decreased from more than 300 two decades ago to 64 in 2010.

The Ohio Grade Crossing Statistics Report 2010 is available online in the railroad section of www.PUCO.ohio.gov.

Alaska Railroad maintains need for herbicides in battle to control weeds

The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) reiterates that an integrated approach is essential to effective vegetation management, including the use of the herbicide glyphosate. According to the railroad, this is an issue of safety. Both the Alaska Railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) require adequate vegetation control to: 1) allow inspectors to see the track to ensure its integrity; and 2) to minimize the risk of trip-slip-fall accidents for railroad crews who must walk along the track.

From 1983 to 2009, the ARRC used manual (labor with hand-held tools) and mechanical (heavy track maintenance equipment) means alone, which caused them to fall behind in the weed control battle.

Last year, the Alaska Railroad was able to use glyphosate along 25 miles of track between Seward and Indian, thanks to a limited herbicide use permit. In April 2009, a strong warning from the FRA had spurred ARRC to again apply for a permit. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation conducted a comprehensive permit process involving extended public comment and hearing. The ADEC is uniquely qualified to sift through opinions and facts to make a sound decision regarding safe and effective vegetation management.

ARRC funded independent, third-party research to answer questions regarding safety of herbicides. The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Alaska University Transportation Center (AUTC) recently provided local data for the ADEC to use in evaluating the safety and migration of the chemical. Details about the study are available at www.AlaskaRailroad.com.

The selected herbicide is AquaMaster, a glyphosate-based herbicide that is EPA-approved for use in and around water, similar to commonly used Roundup. Even so, the ADEC permit specifically calls for an ample buffer around all surface water bodies.

To recap the permit process and resulting actions: Environmental groups challenged the permit issued to Alaska Railroad in April 2010 by requesting a stay be issued by the ADEC Commissioner. The stay was rejected and ARRC applied glyphospate under permit in July 2010.

An administrative law judge (ALJ) rejected several of the environmental groups’ arguments regarding procedural and constitutional issues during appeal process between late 2010 into early 2011. The issues of health and safety were slated for a hearing in April 2011. In late-April 2011, the ADEC Commissioner approved the ALJ’s recommended decision and issued the final administrative decision upholding the permit.

An appeal from environmental groups seeks to overturn the decision on procedural and constitutional grounds.

"The Alaska Railroad must control vegetation for safe rail operations," said Alaska Railroad Chief Engineer Tom Brooks. "Herbicides are another tool in our tool box, along with mechanical and hand cutting, to effectively accomplish sufficient control."

 

DART, East Texas officials seek expanded rail connections

Representatives from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority will work together to explore rail connections between North and East Texas. DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas and Jeff Austin, chairman of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority signed an interlocal cooperation agreement marking the commitment.

The agreement recognizes the importance of coordinated transportation planning and advocacy as the two agencies work to expand rail in the area. Multi-jurisdictional cooperation is often cited by federal officials as a key to securing project funds. The agreement encourages the two agencies to identify "potential issues of mutual interest in the development of plans" for future rail service between the North Central, North East and East regions of Texas.

Information about the rail plans for the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority are available at www.NETRMA.org.

Washington utilities commission approves funds for four crossings

Washington state regulators approved funds to improve safety at three railroad crossings in Mason County, as well as a crossing in Columbia County.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved more than $15,000 to Simpson Timber Co. from the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to upgrade warning devices at three grade crossings in the city of Shelton.

Simpson will replace flashing incandescent lights mounted on the cantilever with long-lasting, energy-efficient flashing LED lights, replace cross-buck signs, upgrade the power-off lights and install an electronic bell, which all improve visibility in bad weather.

The three railroad crossings to be improved are at the intersections of State Route 3 (SR-3) and First St., Railroad Ave. and Eleventh St. and Seventh St.

The upgrades must be completed by June 15. State funding from the GCPF will not exceed $15,446.70 for all three projects.

The UTC also approved funds to improve the safety at a railroad crossing in Columbia County.

Simpson Timber Co. will upgrade the warning signals and cross-buck signs at a grade crossing on Dayton/Airport Rd. in the city of Dayton.

The company will replace incandescent lights with energy-efficient, long-lasting type flashing lights, upgrade the power-off light and install an electronic bell all to improve visibility in bad weather.

The upgrades must be completed by June 15. State GCPF funding is limited to $4,756.90 for the project.

Amtrak completes Sedalia, Mo., improvement

Completion of a decade-long, $1.6 million match project to stabilize and improve a historic Missouri Pacific Railroad station – and make it more accessible for passengers with disabilities – is being celebrated by Amtrak and Sedalia Downtown Development Inc. (SDDI), with Septagon Construction and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Amtrak passengers for the four daily Missouri River Runner trains now can use a platform compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and a just-renovated station waiting room.

The newly remodeled station on the north side of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is better able to accommodate all passengers and features a new entrance and parking lot, with a modern waiting room and new restrooms.

The City of Sedalia and its residents contributed nearly a third of the project funds, funding also came from Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funds administered by MoDOT. Other federal, Amtrak and MoDOT funds have also been provided to transform the building into an intermodal facility with OATS transit.

The Sedalia station has seen significant ridership growth, with a 12 percent increase since last September 11. Since the beginning of the Amtrak fiscal year on October 2010, Missouri River Runner ridership has risen by 15 percent, with a 20 percent jump last month.

RailComm

RailComm has provided a wireless remote control derail system at Amtrak’s Maintenance Facility in Los Angeles, Calif. Two customized local control panels, located within the maintenance building, provide wireless remote control to the derails. The panels include a keypad for advanced security and logging. The user is required to input a unique pass-code (PIN #) to operate the derail machines. All control panel operations are recorded and stored on a wirelessly-linked PC workstation. The data entries contain the name and trade of the operator, the nature of the operation and the date and time. The workstation allows supervisors, managers and other authorized personnel to review the operation logs and manage the system security.

House T&I Committee leaders want to privatize NEC

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) and Rail Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) announced at a Congressional hearing that they are preparing legislation they believe will speed up development of high-speed rail and reduce high taxpayer subsidization of the project. Their proposal would transfer development of the nation’s most congested corridor from Amtrak to private sector competition.

"We plan introduce legislation to separate the Northeast Corridor from Amtrak, transfer it to a separate entity and begin a competitive bidding process that would allow for a public-private partnership to design, build, operate, maintain and finance high-speed service. Our plan would do so in a dramatically shorter time, in closer to 10 rather than 30 years, and at a fraction of the $117 billion cost proposed by Amtrak, while creating new jobs," Mica said.

"We’ve tried it Amtrak’s way without success for nearly 40 years and it’s time to go down a new path and inject private sector competition," Shuster said. "It is time to deregulate America’s passenger rail system and the Northeast Corridor presents the best place to start with private investment and market-based ideas."

The Mica and Shuster proposal is being developed according to the following principles:

Ending the Amtrak monopoly

• Separates the NEC from Amtrak, spinning it off as a separate business unit

• Transfers the title for the NEC to a separate entity

Bringing competition and the private sector to the table

• Requires a competitive bidding process for the NEC

• Establishes performance standards for true high-speed rail with a requirement for service in less than two hours between Washington, D.C. and New York City

• Reduces and potentially eliminates the need for federal subsidies

The time is now

• Moves America forward in less than half the time as Amtrak’s proposal with firm deadlines for action

Creating jobs and worker protections

• Ensures labor protections are kept in place and provides for hiring preference to any potentially displaced Amtrak employees

PTC installation could be trimmed 10,000 miles

The Obama administration suggests scaling back by 10,000 miles a federal mandate that positive train control be installed on some 140,000 miles of freight and passenger track no later than December 31, 2015. The 10,000 miles represents track over which freight railroads say neither passengers nor dangerous HAZMAT will be transported in 2015.

The Association of American Railroads had previously filed a federal lawsuit seeking the 10,000-mile scale back of the PTC mandate and rail CEOs earlier this year visited the White House to plead for administration support.

Railroads contend that the 140,000-mile FRA mandate for PTC installation is based on outdated HAZMAT traffic data and that railroads will not be transporting those HAZMAT cargos over the 10,000 miles sought to be removed from the mandate. The Association of American Railroads says the removal of those 10,000 miles from the mandate will save the industry some $500 million in installation costs.

WMATA Board gains new member, drafts first ever bylaws

Artis Hampshire-Cowan joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors on May 26. She represents Prince George’s County and succeeds Marcell Solomon as an alternate director.

In other news, the Board of Directors is currently on track to adopt its first ever permanent bylaws in June that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Board and clarifies the governing body’s focus on policy, financial direction and WMATA’s relationship with its customers and jurisdictional partners. 



The new bylaws define Board responsibilities as governing through policies and exercising oversight over policy compliance and results. Active healthy debate is encouraged; and once a decision is made, the Board speaks with one voice. The bylaws indicate the Board’s role in ensuring regular reporting to the public.


"The deliberate and thoughtful work of this Board over the last several months demonstrates that we are moving forward as a governing body with a regional perspective and a shared mission to set policies that reinforce safety, reliability and service for Metro’s customers," said Metro Board Chair Catherine Hudgins.

At Thursday’s Governance Committee Meeting, representatives from the Joint MWATA Governance Review Task Force joined the discussion about the progress made on governance matters. 



At the invitation of the Governance Committee, the Task Force provided specific feedback on items in the proposed bylaws, including alternate members, the use of the veto for non-budgetary matters and the inclusion of the second vice chair position. 



This summer, the Board will begin a strategic planning process to develop a long-range business plan that will guide the Authority’s policy decisions.

Patrick-Murray Administration highlights MBTA Blue Line modernization at State Street Station

In keeping with the Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to providing accessible transportation service, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Rich Davey and local officials are celebrating the $68.3 million State Street Station modernization project. The station now has two new fully accessible entrances and provides a seamless connection between the Blue and Orange Line.

To bring the station into ADA compliance, two new elevator-equipped entrances connected to the lobbies of 53 and 60 State Street were constructed. The entrances include new stairs, elevators and station support spaces with underground access and automated fare collection equipment. A new accessible corridor connects the inbound platform of the Blue Line to the outbound platform of the Orange Line, providing access to the newly installed elevator system that connects all levels of the station.

"Modernization to State Street Station represents our continued commitment to provide people of all abilities access to public transportation that is direct and user-friendly," said MBTA General Manager Rich Davey. "Customers now have a seamless connection between the Blue and Orange Line."

Additional work includes the lengthening of platforms to accommodate six-car trains. The work required relocation of all existing street utilities, demolition of abandoned city foundations and the construction of 300 feet of additional station tunnel.

Approximately 12,500 customers travel through State Street station each weekday. Reconstruction and beautification improvements to the streetscape continue with completion slated for November 2011.

SEPTA, LACMTA Boards approve FY12 budgets

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Boards have both approved operating and capital budgets for Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1, 2011

SEPTA
The SEPTA budget does not increase fares and maintains current service levels. The budget vote was taken during the SEPTA Board’s regular monthly meeting on May 26, 2011.

The budgets reflect SEPTA’s ongoing commitment to control costs and increase efficiencies, while improving customer service and modernizing an aging infrastructure. The $1.22 billion operating budget represents an increase of about 3.5 percent over FY 11.

For the second straight year, SEPTA expects to defer dozens of improvement projects that are vital to the short and long-term health of the transit system. The $311 million capital budget represents a 25 percent reduction compared to funding levels of two years ago, leaving just enough to cover expenses such as debt service, new buses and paratransit vehicles, equipment overhauls and mandates such as Regional Rail signal system upgrades.

LACMTA
The LACMTA $4.145 billion operating budget will keep fares at current levels, however, the Board approved lowering the cost of the Metro day pass from $6 down to $5 for a one year test starting August 1 to help attract commuters and others squeezed by rising gas prices.

For the third year in a row, the budget assumes no wage increase for employees. However, LACMTA is negotiating new contracts with its major labor unions representing operators, maintenance employees and clerks.

The FY 12 capital budget is $247 million or 6.3 percent more than the current $3.898 billion budget.

Of the budget, 60 percent will be spent on enhancing the bus and rail system, including tackling deferred maintenance that, in past years, helped plug spiraling operating deficits. LACMTA also will be purchasing hundreds of light rail vehicles.

Another 35 percent of the budget will deliver the rail and highway capital program, which will create more than 500,000 jobs. Trains on the new Expo light rail line to Culver City are being tested, and the second phase of Expo to Santa Monica is about to break ground. Construction of the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line to Azusa is in the construction phase. Within a year, construction should begin for the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line with other rail projects in the immediate queue.

 

Gannett Fleming responds to increased federal oversight of railroad bridges

In order to ensure the safety of more than 100,000 bridges throughout the U.S., the Federal Railroad Administration announced a Final Rule in 2010 under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that will further strengthen the federal oversight of all railroad bridge maintenance programs. Gannett Fleming says it will help clients meet these federal requirements.

Gannett Fleming’s bridge staff has inspected more than 600 railroad bridges across the U.S. since 1965, according to the company, for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Amtrak, Conrail, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation and Penn Central. Many of its bridge professionals are National Bridge Inspection Standards-certified team leaders and inspectors with experience in railroad bridge design and inspection.

Gannett Fleming says it has performed element-level inspections of thousands of bridges throughout the U.S., and has experience in highway and railroad bridge analysis, design and rehabilitation.

The firm developed the National Tunnel Management System for the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration. It also developed the Structure Data Management System.

Rep. Maloney Report: Jobs, local economy get boost from federal rail grant

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Queens, Manhattan) and other officials issued a report outlining the thousands of jobs and other economic benefits that will be created through the new, $295 million federal high-speed rail grant to improve Harold Interlocking, a junction point in Sunnyside Yards through which trains from three major transit systems must pass on their way into and out of New York. The grant will help relieve major delays at the junction that have plagued New York travelers for years and pave the way for high-speed rail from New York to Boston.

The funding is part of $2 billion in high-speed rail grants announced by the federal government last week. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and MTA Chairman Jay Walder applied for the grant in April after the governor of Florida rejected high-speed rail funding. The Harold Interlocking junction is located in Maloney’s Congressional district and the Congresswoman has been a strong supporter of the grant.


Maloney’s report finds that the new grant will:

• Create 9,213 jobs over the five-year life of the project;
• Boost economic activity in the region by $585.9 million;
• Induce tens of thousands of jobs throughout the economy;
• Bring in millions in tax revenue;
• Result in reduced commuting times for LIRR, Amtrak and NJ Transit passengers by eliminating the bottleneck at Harold Interlocking; and

• Pave the way for high-speed rail along the Northeast Corridor, which will create roughly 44,000 jobs and $33 billion in wages annually over the project’s 25-year construction cycle. 



"Florida’s loss is a 9,200-job gain for New York. This project will relieve one of the worst choke points in our entire transit system, pave the way for high-speed rail and boost the economy by more than a half-billion dollars," Maloney said. "New Yorkers know the value of investing in transit and we didn’t think twice about pursuing this funding after Florida foolishly rejected it."



From Washington, D.C.: Progress made toward new transportation bill

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and Senator David Vitter (R-LA), ranking member of the Subcommittee, issued the following joint statement today regarding draft legislation to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century.

Senators Boxer, Inhofe, Baucus and Vitter said: "We are pleased to announce the great progress we have made on a new transportation authorization bill. Throughout the 25 transportation hearings convened by this Committee, including an unprecedented joint appearance by Tom Donohue of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO, we heard that there is tremendous support from businesses, workers and the American people for a transportation bill that leverages our federal dollars while maintaining a responsible fiscal path.

"It is no secret that the four of us represent very different political views but we have found common ground in the belief that building highways, bridges and transportation systems is an important responsibility of the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and the private sector.

"We are working to maximize states’ ability to plan long term and make wise infrastructure investments. Here are some of the highlights of our legislation:

• Fund programs at current levels to maintain and modernize our critical transportation infrastructure;

• Eliminate earmarks;
• Consolidate numerous programs to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative and wasteful programs;
• Consolidate numerous programs into a more focused freight program that will improve the movement of goods;
• Create a new section called America Fast Forward, which strengthens the TIFIA program to stretch federal dollars further than they have been stretched before; and

• Expedite project delivery without sacrificing the environment or the rights of people to be heard.

"We know there is still much work to do, but we believe this is a very important step. In cooperation with the Finance Committee, we are exploring a wide range of options to support and sustain the Highway Trust Fund. Our goal is to attain the optimum achievable authorization length depending on the resources available. It is critical that this be done in a way that does not increase the deficit and can achieve bipartisan support."

Chester Branch Railroad rehab complete

The rehabilitation of the Chester Branch Railroad, a four-mile line in Roxbury Township, N.J., is now complete.

In April 2010, the county was awarded $5.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund this rehabilitation project. The funds were directed to the county through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

The active freight line now serves Roxbury commercial users, but with the rehabilitation, the freeholders said it has the potential to also serve customers in Randolph, in particular the former Westinghouse site, now the BETA Corporate Park.

Freeholder Gene Feyl, first vice chairman of the NJTPA, said rail is once again becoming the more cost-effective and efficient means of transportation.

"If we are to relieve congestion on our highways, mitigate air pollution and move people and goods rapidly, efficiently and economically, the only conclusion must be in the restoration of a robust rail network," Feyl said.

Feyl said since one rail car is approximately equivalent to four tractor trailers, the efficient use of Chester Branch rail line has the potential to reduce truck traffic along major roadways in the county.


The Chester Branch freight line was donated to the county by Jack Holland, owner of Holland Industries, in October 2009 and the Morristown & Erie Railway has a management agreement with the county to continue to operate on the Chester Branch.

Argus Win-Win Award goes to CRANDIC and Archer Daniels Midland partnership

International energy reporting agency Argus has named the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Company and Archer Daniels Midland the winners of its Win-Win Award. This is the second time the Iowa shortline has won the award.

The annual honor is given to railroads, shippers and organizations that develop innovative partnerships leading to improved service, efficiency and other mutually beneficial service improvements. Launched in Argus Rail Business in 1998, the annual award celebrates partnerships between rail carriers and customers resulting in significant cost or service benefits. The latest award recognizes how both parties developed an innovative solution that allows the railroad to handle 35 more carloads from ADM while giving the shipper more control over its railcar maintenance processes.

"The expansion is a Win-Win, not just for ADM and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, but the community, crop producers and the entire state of Iowa," Jeff Woods, the manager of marketing and business development for the railroad, said.

"They [CRANDIC] have proven time and time again their commitment to the highest level of service and have been a steadfast partner in helping us meet the food and biofuel needs of the world," Jim Bobitt, ADM’s director of North American rail operations, said.

As part of the project, the railroad improved two miles of rail line to handle unit trains of more than 100 railcars for the facility. CRANDIC also employed new mother and slug locomotive combinations to add tractive force to the shortline’s switching fleet at the plant, while also reducing emissions. In addition, the use of systems to reduce idling of locomotives has furthered fuel efficiency gains and reduced emissions from the railroad’s switchers serving the plant.