Railroad News

A $1.99 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) agreement between Sound Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will support the construction of three light-rail extensions and a maintenance facility.

"This announcement demonstrates that the Build America Bureau is already playing a major role in how projects are planned and paid for by streamlining the financing process and bringing together valuable tools for accessing federal dollars. This means projects contemplated under the Master Credit Agreement can move forward more quickly and effectively," said USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx. "We are proud of the work done through the Bureau to speed investments needed in growing regions like the Pacific Northwest. This development is a big win for the entire region."

Watco Companies (Watco) has acquired the majority shareholding in Intermodal Group Pty Ltd (IMG), effective Dec. 22.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has collected a record-breaking rate of civil penalties, surpassing the bar set last year, which was also a record.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, the agency expects to collect 79 percent of the civil penalties it issued to railroads, hazardous materials shippers and others for violating federal safety regulations, a four-percent increase over FY2015, and the largest percentage rate ever closed by the agency. The total amount of civil penalties in FY2016 hit $15.75 million, more than a half-million more than the $15.08 million in FY2015.

Shortline railroad executive David L. Parkinson died Dec. 17 in Palm Desert, Calif., following a brief illness. He was 78 years old.

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

A new grade separation, part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, opened at 25th Avenue over Union Pacific's line in Bellwood, Ill., on Dec. 22.

The Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA), the Port KC and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) have selected the team that will conduct a study to assess the possible extension of the Kansas City Streetcar.

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

G3 Terminal Vancouver, an affiliate of G3 Global Holdings (G3), has announced plans to build a modernized grain export terminal in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will begin an analysis in January 2017 of a proposal to bring passenger rail service between Chicago, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio.

Project stakeholders say engaging FRA in the Alternatives Analysis and Public Input process is the first step to establishing a new rail line.

A plan to replace two road bridges and build a rail tunnel in Middlebury, Vt., is being delayed in order for the project's environmental impact to be studied.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has been working with the Town of Middlebury and stakeholder groups in recent months to advance the project that replaces two aging highway bridges that cross the rail line known as the Western Corridor. VTrans says that due to objections raised recently, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and VTrans work will likely not begin in 2017, which will allow time for a more detailed examination of project risks under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) completed signal and safety upgrades on the PATH 33rd Street line, which will return to normal service on Dec. 24.

The work done on the 33rd Street Line is part of PATH's Signal System Replacement program that the agency says is a key component to the modernization of its system and will ensure the long-term viability of PATH. The project included installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) to provide additional safety upgrades for riders.

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Intermodal

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest LRT Project’s (SWLRT) entry into the engineering phase.

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Amtrak

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

12/22/2016    

Rail News: PTC

12/22/2016    

Rail News: Passenger Rail