VIA Rail releases 2012 Annual Report

VIA Rail Canada has released its 2012 Annual Report to the public. The company’s continued commitment to the efficient use of public funds helped bring down the operating deficit for the third year in a row.

X Train elects chairman and director of the board

Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train) elected John McPherson to chairman of the board and George Rebensdorf to director. Former Chairman Gil Lamphere remains on the board as director.

Sound Transit begins final design for East Link light rail

Sound Transit is kicking off the final design process for the East Link light rail extension’s Downtown Bellevue segment with an open house to be held May 16 at Bellevue City Hall.

WMATA to perform rebuilding work

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems and more along its system.

Bowen Civil Engineering now part of Hanson Professional Services

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Bowen Civil Engineering Inc. (BCE) is now part of Hanson Professional Services Inc., adding expanded civil and transportation engineering, design services and 12 engineering professionals to Hanson’s national consulting practice.

USDOT makes $21.9 million available to strengthen transit safety oversight

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making $21.9 million available to help strengthen public transportation safety for millions of riders and transit workers nationwide.

MTA 7 Subway extension project wins Construction Project of the Year

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $1.1 billion “Running Tunnels and Underground Structures” contract, the first portion of the $2.1-billion 7 Subway Line Extension Project, will be awarded the 2013 Construction Project of the Year by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

NS names six to senior management

Norfolk Southern has promoted six in upper management with effective dates of June 1 and July 1.

SYSTRA names new executive vice president of engineering

SYSTRA has promoted Joseph Sais, PE, to executive vice president, engineering. In this capacity, Sais will oversee the firm’s U.S.-based infrastructure, traction power, systems, and construction management and program management sectors.

LACMTA receives more than $390 million from CTC and Caltrans for improvements

Los Angles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) was awarded more than $390 million from the California Transportation Commission and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to support construction of new rail, upgrade existing transit service, buy much-needed rail cars,

LA City Council approves BNSF SCIG project

BNSF says that the Los Angeles City Council vote to approve its Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project a significant vote for jobs and a greener economy.

CHSRA awards Balfour Beatty $120-million management contract

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has awarded a two-year, $120-million contract extension to Parsons Brinckerhoff, Balfour Beatty’s professional services division, for program management services on the California High-Speed Rail project.

CP’s Hunter Harrison inducted into hall of fame

Canadian Pacific (CP) Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has been inducted into the Maritime Association of Port of New York & New Jersey’s International Maritime Hall of Fame.

Altus acquires Rocla Concrete Tie

Altus Capital Partners, an investment firm focused on middle-market manufacturing companies in the U.S., has acquired Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., manufacturer of pre-stressed concrete railroad ties.

CP increases 2013 capital investment

Canadian Pacific (CP) will move forward certain capital spending projects originally targeted for 2014 into this year, funded by a higher than anticipated 2013 cash-flow projection. CP will be investing an additional CA$75 (US$74.8) to CA$100 (US$99.7) million into its 2013 capital investment program.

Joseph Leader to head NYCT’s Department of Subways

Veteran transit manager Joseph Leader has been named New York City Transit’s (NYCT) acting senior vice president, Department of Subways, filling the position most recently held by Carmen Bianco, who is currently serving as acting president of NYCT.

UP earns logistics award

Union Pacific (UP) earned Nissan Motor Company’s 2012 Logistics Carrier Conference Logistics Success Story Award, which identifies carriers and providers that went above and beyond normal expectations in the past year.

BLET celebrates 150th anniversary

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 8; the union was founded on May 8, 1863.

Watco names new COO

Watco Mechanical Services (WMS) named Mark Peterson-Overton as chief operating officer. He will be responsible for managing all hands-on operational aspects of Watco Mechanical Services on a daily basis.

Gross & Janes enters into crosstie agreement with Boatright

Gross & Janes Co. has entered into an agreement to manage and operate two green crosstie processing facilities owned by Boatright Railroad Products in Montevallo and Clanton, Ala.

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