DART Board elects chair, vice chair

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has elected Robert Strauss, a partner at the Dallas-based law firm of Strasburger & Price, LLP, to chair of its board of directors.

Amtrak begins third phase of Michigan track improvements

The last of three Michigan track improvement phases for the 2013 construction season begins between Jackson and Kalamazoo on October 14. While the project will cause some delays and modified schedules, the result will be upgraded tracks and more reliable service as part of the Accelerated Rail Program being carried out by Amtrak for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

MTA NYCT names Joseph Leader as SVP of Subways

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) has appointed Joseph Leader to senior vice president, Department of Subways, who has served as acting senior vice president since May, 2013.

T.Y. Lin International promotes two to vice president

T.Y. Lin International (TYLI) promoted Vincent Montgomery, PE, and Paula Pienton, SE, PE, to vice president. Since joining TYLI in February 2013, Montgomery has held the position of national director of freight rail. Pienton came to TYLI in 2012 as regional market sector lead for transit and rail for TYLI’s Central Region.

BNSF’s California capital program includes terminal, maintenance projects

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $100 million on maintenance and rail capacity expansion projects in California this year.

Stella-Jones to acquire wood treating facilities in three states

Stella-Jones Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the operating assets of Arizona Pacific Wood Preserving, Inc., Nevada Wood Preserving, Inc., and Pacific Wood Preserving of Oregon, Inc.

NCRR board elects new officers

The North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) Board of Directors has elected Duane Long as board chairman and Franklin Rouse, Jr., as vice chairman.

Long will succeed John Atkins, III, who served as chairman since 2009. Atkins will continue to serve as a member of the board.

Long, who has served on the NCRR Board since 2011, is chairman of Longistics, a full-service provider of global logistics solutions, headquartered in Raleigh. He and his wife started the company in 1984, providing trucking, warehousing and foreign trade zone management operations.

Rouse has served on the NCRR Board since 2011. He is president of Rouse Insurance Agency, Inc., of Leland and is active in a variety of Brunswick County business organizations.

The North Carolina Railroad Company owns and manages the 317-mile rail corridor extending from Morehead City to Charlotte. The railroad carries 60-plus freight trains and 10 passenger trains daily.

 

Dakota Plains provides update on Pioneer Terminal Expansion

Dakota Plains Holdings, Inc., provided an operations update on the Pioneer Terminal Expansion project that commenced in March 2013.

Metro-North resumes full service on New Haven Line

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad resumed full train service on the New Haven Line October 7.

Watco names new GM to two shortlines

Watco Transportation Services has appointed Jeffrey Buck to general manager for the Mississippi Southern and Vicksburg Southern railroads. Buck will be responsible for the daily operations of both railroads; specifically focusing on improving safety, productivity, efficiency and developing team members.

SCVTA names new GM

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) Board of Directors has appointed Nuria Fernandez to general manager, effective early December 2013.

All Aboard Florida secures right-of-way, station agreements

All Aboard Florida, the intercity passenger rail project to connect Miami to Orlando, reached two significant agreements this week for right-of-way access and station development.

Annual crosstie report 2013

Crossties can be made from a variety of materials and all parts of the industry report strong growth in 2013.

The trials of track inspection

Automated track inspection is designed to help railroads tackle potential pitfalls, but what happens when track inspectors run into challenges?

A longview of shortline bridge maintenance

WSOR has developed a long-term structures maintenance program to extend service life where it can, while prioritizing replacement needs.

SFMTA begins construction of Central Subway stations, tracks and operating systems

Construction of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Central Subway‘s stations, tracks and operating systems has begun, extending the Muni Metro T Third Line underground.

SCVTA BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project named “Neatest Thing in 2013”

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project was voted “Best Example of Government Funding” and received an Honor Award for “Neatest Thing in 2013” by the Milpitas Post for its 23rd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards.

Southwest LRT: Shallow tunnels recommended along the preferred route in Minneapolis

Building shallow tunnels for light rail along the preferred route in Minneapolis is the most cost-effective solution and best long-term investment for the region, Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) green line extension planners said.

Detroit streetcar design and construction quality assurance contract awarded

The city of Detroit, Mich., awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff for design review and construction quality assurance services for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar Project.

BNSF’s capital plans call for New Mexico improvements

BNSF plans to invest an estimated $90 million on track and rail capacity improvement projects in New Mexico this year.

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