NYCT continues FASTRACK maintenance approach
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Seventh Avenue Line this month following success on the Lexington Avenue Line in January.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Seventh Avenue Line this month following success on the Lexington Avenue Line in January.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Kevin Johnson visited construction at the Sacramento Valley Station, showcasing the economic impact of federal investments in the station and other passenger rail projects throughout the state.
Canadian National said that members of the United Steelworkers have ratified a new collective agreement covering approximately 2,800 maintenance-of-way employees in Canada.
The Chicago Transit Authority Board awarded a design/build contract to Kiewit Infrastructure Co. to rehabilitate the following seven rail stations on the north mainline branch of the Red Line: Jarvis, Morse, Granville, Thorndale, Berwyn, Argyle and Lawrence.
Scott Weaver has been named vice president labor relations for Norfolk Southern Corporation, effective March 1. He will report to John Rathbone, executive vice president administration.
Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have received federal approval to increase maximum speeds of Amtrak trains in western Michigan and northern Indiana to 110 mph following successful installation and testing of a positive train control safety system on Amtrak-owned track between Kalamazoo, Mich., and Porter, Ind.
A collaborative effort among Amtrak, Metra and state and federal agencies to reduce diesel soot emissions and improve air quality in and around Union Station in Chicago has already produced positive results, but further progress requires the full cooperation of adjacent property owners, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) stated.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. appointed Ann Reese to its board of directors, effective February 2, 2012. Reese will serve on GWI’s Audit Committee.
Amtrak is requesting $450 million in federal operating support for fiscal year 2013, a lower amount than the $466 million appropriated by Congress for FY 2012. The ability to seek reduced federal operating funding results from ongoing efforts by Amtrak to improve its financial performance, including increased efficiency, cost controls and debt reduction as well as better service, record ridership and anticipated increases in revenue.
Canadian Pacific, by leveraging its north mainline infrastructure, is now shipping crude oil by rail from a new transload facility near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. This new facility is a key enhancement to CP’s growing energy portfolio. It accommodates the initial transload and transportation needs of NuStar Energy LP, with a further planned expansion in 2012.
The Wood Energy Group, Inc., a division of Banyan Rail Services Inc., hired Natalie Ann Macey as vice president sales and marketing.
RailAmerica has signed an agreement to acquire Marquette Rail LLC for $40 million, subject to final adjustments for working capital. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and Surface Transportation Board approval.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unveiled the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act. The initiative is a five-year, $260 billion infrastructure bill that reforms transportation programs and promotes increased domestic energy production to create American jobs.
The Association of American Railroads said the bill designed to fix the nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure will actually accelerate road and bridge damage and trigger an increase in taxpayer subsidies to the trucking industry, allowing for 20 percent heavier trucks and triple trailers.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle presented a proposed solution to further strengthen the financial plan of Honolulu’s rail project, remain on target for its successful completion and obtain full funding in the amount of $1.55 billion from the federal government.
BNSF plans a 2012 capital commitment program of approximately $3.9 billion, a $400 million increase over its 2011 capital spend of $3.5 billion.
GO Transit’s new Allandale Waterfront Station in Barrie, ON, Canada, has opened for service. The new station allows GO Transit to extend service further into downtown Barrie, which will improve access and increase ridership on the Barrie line.
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads in Virginia selected William Harrell as the new president and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. The vote was unanimous.
The Association of American Railroads said the nation’s major freight railroads are projected to invest a record $13 billion in capital expenditures in 2012 to expand, upgrade and enhance the nation’s freight rail network. The freight railroads also expect to hire more than 15,000 employees this year, replacing retiring workers and adding new positions nationwide.
For the first time in its history, Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service between Chicago and Milwaukee, has a ridership that surpassed 800,000 in 2011. The year-end numbers put ridership at 823,163. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, that is a nearly four percent increase from 2010 when ridership totaled 792,848.