The Federal Railroad Administration’s Draft State Rail Plan Guidance, which was announced in the Federal Register on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, provides an explanation of the proposed process to be followed in developing state rail plans.
As part of a continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion, Kansas City Southern recently expanded the scope of its U.S. Supplier Diversity Program Initiative (SDPI) for suppliers, contractors and professional service providers to include small businesses, as well as disadvantaged, minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses.
Train and engine, mechanical and maintenance-of-way employees on Columbia and Cowlitz Railway in Washington state, all represented by the United Transportation Union, have ratified their first agreement since joining the union in October 2011.
Phoenix, Ariz., Mayor Greg Stanton, City Council members and community members launched planPHX, an interactive way for Phoenix residents to decide how the city grows and changes during the next 10 years through their involvement in the update of the city’s general plan, such as planning for neighborhoods along the light-rail line.
Clackamas County commissioners in Oregon approved a re-negotiated agreement to lower the county’s contribution to TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie light-rail project to $19.9 million from $25 million and approved the sale of bonds to pay the obligation.
U.S. Department of Transportation formed the Freight Policy Council, which it says will focus on improving the condition and performance of the national freight network to better ensure the ability of the United States to compete in today’s global economy. The council will develop a national intermodal plan for improving the efficiency of freight movement and will work with states to encourage development of a forward-looking state freight strategy.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing Cleveland Commercial Railroad to install mast-mounted and cantilevered flashing lights and gates at the E. 156th Street grade crossing in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County.
International Rail Partners LLC was recently formed to pursue the acquisition and operation of freight railroads outside of the United States, as well as other rail-related support businesses worldwide. In addition to its corporate headquarters located in Boca Raton, Fla., the company also has an office in San Francisco, Calif.
On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer toured the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project, the largest transportation infrastructure project in Santa Clara County, Calif. Senator Boxer, along with other advocates and supporters in Washington, helped secure a $900 million federal grant for the Berryessa Extension Project earlier this year.
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing has awarded Seattle-area’s Sound Transit its Pareto Award of Excellence in Public Procurement for outstanding achievements in procurement.
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $154 million on maintenance and capacity improvements in both Iowa and Illinois this year.
In anticipation of the start of next year’s Red Line South project, the Chicago Transit Authority held meetings with various community and neighborhood groups including local chambers of commerce, block clubs, faith-based groups and other organizations to answer their questions, listen to their concerns and suggestions.
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority in Southern California has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Azusa to Montclair.
As part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Project, on Saturday, August 25, the 130th & Torrence grade separation project general contractor, Walsh Construction, will use four Self-Propelled Mobile Transporters to relocate the fully-assembled,4.3-million-pound, 394-foot-long truss bridge to its final position on the new piers.
Chicago-area’s Metra broke ground on the reconstruction of the Fox River Grove Station on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. The $3.5-million project calls for the complete reconstruction of the station, which dates from 1959.
Kansas City Southern appointed Carlos Velez to vice president business solutions and marketing. In this position, he leads the business development, customer solutions, market research and sales force performance functions and reports to KCS executive vice president sales and marketing Patrick Ottensmeyer.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority appointed Elizabeth Bradford to director of marketing in the authority’s Division of Public and Government Affairs.
Paul Skoutelas, a seven-year employee of Parsons Brinckerhoff, has been appointed director of the firm’s Transit & Rail Technical Excellence Center.
Project 16 of the West Vancouver Freight Access (WVFA) Project, a new rail entrance at the Port of Vancouver USA in Washington state, will begin work by the end of August and is scheduled to be completed by February 28, 2013.
L.B. Foster Company appointed John Kasel to senior vice president, Rail Business. In this new role, Kasel will be responsible for the performance and success of the company’s rail-related businesses, which will be combined under his leadership.