BART outlines roadmap to boost small business

Bay Area Rapid Transit in the San Francisco Bay area is looking to give small businesses a boost by increasing contracting opportunities within the transit district. At a recent board of directors meeting, BART’s Office of Civil Rights outlined a comprehensive strategy to change the agency’s processes in awarding contracts to small businesses, especially socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and those who employ disabled veterans. The plan was met with enthusiasm from the community during the meeting with one observer calling it a model for the Bay Area and even the nation.

Union Pacific elects John Koraleski to Board of Directors

Union Pacific Corporation elected John Koraleski to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Koraleski serves as president and chief executive officer of Union Pacific Corporation, as well as president and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad Company. All Union Pacific Corporation board members serve concurrently on the railroad’s board of directors.

MTA completes tunnel boring on megaprojects

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that on Monday, Molina, the tunnel boring machine digging the last of the four East Side Access tunnels in Queens, came to a halt six feet underneath the Long Island Rail Road mainline in Long Island City, completing its run. The milestone marks the end of tunnel boring for the East Side Access project and all MTA megaprojects.

Sen. Durbin, CSX’s Ward discuss rail safety

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the CEO of CSX Michael Ward to discuss improving rail safety. Durbin asked the Association of American Railroads to conduct a comprehensive review of railroad industry plans and practices to ensure trains can move safely and efficiently throughout the country during extreme weather events. Durbin also requested that the findings of this review be made available to the public.

Phoenix LRT route gets OK from local government

Phoenix Arizona’s Valley Metro received regional approval from the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) on the route and transit mode for the Phoenix West extension. Light rail will be extended 11 miles from downtown Phoenix, through the State Capitol area, to approximately 79th Avenue and the I-10 West freeway. This is Valley Metro’s first freeway corridor project, providing the growing West Valley with a higher-capacity and more efficient transit option by 2023.

Metrolinx to build new station in Acton for GO trains

Metrolinx in Toronto, ON, Canada, is moving forward on its plans for a new Acton GO Station.

Amtrak unveils Washington Union Station plan

Amtrak has released a Master Plan to revitalize the terminal at Washington Union Station.

RTD Board approves I-225 LRT proposal

The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District Board of Directors formally approved a proposal by Kiewit Infrastructure Co. to complete the I-225 Light Rail Line to Peoria by November 2015. The line would open in mid-2016 after about six months of testing. With a vote of 14-0 and one member absent, the RTD Board’s decision paves the way for the agency to complete another FasTracks rail line. On July 3, RTD staff recommended the proposal to the board after finding that it offered the best value with a financially sound solution that allows RTD to take advantage of the current market. The Kiewit team includes Mass. Electric Construction Co., AECOM and RBC Capital Markets.

Baker to study D.C.-area rail bridge

Michael Baker Jr., Inc., a unit of Michael Baker Corporation, has been awarded a $1.57 million contract by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation for a comprehensive study of Long Bridge over the Potomac River to assess existing conditions and options for rehabilitation or replacing the bridge crossing in the future. The heavily-used bridge carries traffic for three railroads, CSX (the bridge owner), Amtrak and the Virginia Railway Express and is the sole railroad bridge between the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Harsco names James F. Earl to Board of Directors

Harsco Corporation elected James F. Earl to the Harsco Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Expanded Intermodal Design Seminar now available at AREMA Conference

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association revised and expanded the Intermodal Design Seminar to be given in association with the Annual AREMA Conference in Chicago, Ill., in September 2012. This seminar has been redesigned by railroad personnel and industry consultants into two complementary sections: planning and engineering.

Stella-Jones stops acquisition of Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd.

Stella-Jones Inc. will not proceed with the acquisition of certain pole treating assets of Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd., a provider of treated wood poles located in British Columbia.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. enters agreement to acquire RailAmerica

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and RailAmerica, Inc. have entered into an agreement under which GWI will acquire RailAmerica for an all cash purchase price of $27.50 per share. GWI’s acquisition of RailAmerica will combine the two largest shortline and regional rail operators in North America.

ACE to approve San Gabriel trench contract

The Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority Board of Directors is expected to award a $172.6 million contract on July 23 to construct a 1.4-mile railroad trench for Union Pacific freight and Amtrak passenger trains with street bridges built at four crossings, in San Gabriel, Calif.

Springfield, Mass., Union Station to receive $21 million for renovation

Nearly $21 million in federal funding has been formally approved for the Springfield, Mass., Union Station and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, according to a statement from Rep. Richard Neal’s office . Approximately $17 million will be used in the planned renovation of the historic landmark in the city’s northern blocks region and an additional $3.9 million will be directed to the PVTA for the maintenance of the local public transportation system.

ASLRRA: Majority of Congress supports shortline tax credit

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association reached a major milestone by securing the 51st Senate co-sponsor of legislation to extend the Short Line Rehabilitation Tax Credit (45G). The legislation has now been sponsored by a majority of both houses of Congress.

Building demolition begins for future Berryessa BART Station

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority contractor Skanska Shimmick Herzog (SSH), a Joint Venture, will perform demolition of industrial buildings to prepare for construction of the future Berryessa Bay Area Rapid Transit Station campus July 19 through the end of August.

Arbitrator appointed for CP labor disputes

William Kaplan has been appointed arbitrator in the disputes between Canadian Pacific Railway and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, representing bargaining units of approximately 220 rail traffic controllers and 4, 200 locomotive engineers, conductors, trainspersons and yardmen.

Sen. Schumer urges FRA to unlock funding for international rail station

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) urged the Federal Railroad Administration to work with western New York stakeholders and City of Niagara Falls officials to finalize the last procedural steps to unlock an approved $16,500,000 in Department of Transportation funding for the Niagara Falls Intermodal Transportation Center.

OmniTRAX managing director and EVP retires

Mike Ogborn will retire from OmniTRAX, Inc., as its managing director and executive vice president. Ogborn began his career with OmniTRAX representing it before the Interstate Commerce Commission and other venues in the mid-1980’s and then spent the next 20 years working within the company in various capacities. After retirement, he will continue to serve the company as a member of the OmniTRAX Advisory Board and will provide consulting services to it.

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