Railroad News

Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.

Smart Sand, Inc. has completed construction of its unit train capable rail facility in Byron Township, Wis., and moved its first unit train via Union Pacific on Dec. 26.

"With construction completed, we now have the capacity for several hundred railcars and the optionality to ship unit trains on both the Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific railroads from our flagship Oakdale, Wisconsin mining operation," stated Charles Young, CEO of Smart Sand.

Federal and provincial funding has been committed toward freight rail analysis of Ontario's Peterborough-Toronto-Havelock-Blue Mountain corridor.

The government of Canada and the province of Ontario are each contributing CA$65,000 (US$51,599) for the Peterborogh-Toronto Freight Rail Analysis project, which will define freight infrastructure requirements and outline the projected economic impact of potential future freight rail improvements along the rail corridor. Specifically, the project will evaluate the benefits and impacts associated with enabling increased freight rail capacity along the corridor.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released the names of the 19 finalists in three categories as part of "The MTA Genius Transit Challenge."

The Sound Transit Board approved submission of an application for a $1.17 billion grant for the Lynnwood Link Extension on Dec. 21, moving toward breaking ground in 2018 and extending light-rail service to Snohomish County residents in 2024.

Amtrak should begin high-speed service between Chicago and St. Louis this summer, the result of a $2-billion project that is in the final phase of construction.

HNTB Corporation (HNTB) has brought on Zeyad Alkaisi, CCM, as a rail transit senior project manager and associate vice president.

The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) Board approved the Tacoma Dome Link Extension last week, setting a $125.7 million budget for preliminary engineering for the project.

Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) recently provided training for emergency responders on railway safety issues associated with various equipment used in daily rail operations.

CSX Corp. on Dec. 22 named James Foote as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Formerly chief operating officer, Foote had been acting CEO since Dec. 14 after E. Hunter Harrison was placed on medical leave. 

Canadian Pacific's (CP) 19th annual holiday train made another successful tour across North America this year, spreading cheer by raising more than CA$1.5 million (US$1.18 million) and 300,000 pounds of food for local food banks.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be issued the first installment of federal grant, $100 million for the Green Line Extension (GLX) light-rail project.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed the acquisition of CH2M. Jacobs says the move strengthens its position to provide innovative government, infrastructure and industrial professional services.

"This is a transformative step-change that brings together the industry's foremost expertise and services to fulfill our vision to provide leading-edge solutions for a more connected, sustainable world," said Jacobs Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou. "Since our August announcement, we have held meetings with thousands of CH2M and Jacobs employees, and I cannot overstate the enthusiasm we share about our future together. Today, we are celebrating the creation of a new Jacobs with even greater aspirations to do meaningful work around the world, heartened by clients who have eagerly anticipated this combination."

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. completed the acquisition of CH2M. Jacobs says the move strengthens its position to provide innovative government, infrastructure and industrial professional services.

"This is a transformative step-change that brings together the industry's foremost expertise and services to fulfill our vision to provide leading-edge solutions for a more connected, sustainable world," said Jacobs Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou. "Since our August announcement, we have held meetings with thousands of CH2M and Jacobs employees, and I cannot overstate the enthusiasm we share about our future together. Today, we are celebrating the creation of a new Jacobs with even greater aspirations to do meaningful work around the world, heartened by clients who have eagerly anticipated this combination."

Kevin Flaherty, executive vice president for Maintenance of Way at Holland LP, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 15 years of leadership within the company and 40 years in the industry.

Holland, based in Crete, Ill., called Flaherty "a driving force" behind the progress it experienced during his tenure, as it grew six times over in revenue and number of employees. He helped expand Holland's fleet and presence on every Class 1 Railroad in North America, where Holland is a leading provider in contract welding and track measurement.

Kevin Flaherty, executive vice president for Maintenance of Way at Holland LP, will be retiring effective Dec. 31 after 15 years of leadership within the company and 40 years in the industry.

Holland, based in Crete, Ill., called Flaherty "a driving force" behind the progress it experienced during his tenure, as it grew six times over in revenue and number of employees. He helped expand Holland's fleet and presence on every Class 1 Railroad in North America, where Holland is a leading provider in contract welding and track measurement.

Arnaud Pierrard is joining Pandrol's senior team in a new position tasked with innovating the company's manufacturing processes.

Pandrol says the new position will support its industrial productivity and improvement strategies across its four product lines: fastenings, aluminothermic welding, equipment and control and electrification.

Arnaud Pierrard is joining Pandrol's senior team in a new position tasked with innovating the company's manufacturing processes.

Pandrol says the new position will support its industrial productivity and improvement strategies across its four product lines: fastenings, aluminothermic welding, equipment and control and electrification.

Ontario has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) to develop the environmental assessment terms of reference for a portion of its corridor linking Kitchener-Waterloo to London in southwestern Ontario.

The terms will offer an outline for planning and the environmental assessment, which will evaluate how aspects of the project could affect the environment. Topics such as how stations are built, track locations, energy requirements, expected ridership and parking needs will be considered.