Railroad News

The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) has promoted Clark Hopp, vice president of engineering, to serve as chief operating officer (COO) beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors approved two 20-year renewable energy power purchase agreements Dec. 7 in an effort to improve the climate footprint of the Bay Area's transportation sector.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners approved the agency's 2018 Budget consisting of $3.2 billion for operating expenses and $3.4 billion for capital expenses on Dec. 7. Additionally, the board approved Superstorm Sandy-related enhancement projects.

PANYNJ says the budget allows the agency to enhance security at its facilities, improve customer service, invest in sustainability and environmental protection initiatives, undertake significant state-of-good-repair work and build new, best-in-class transportation facilities.

Norfolk Southern (NS) provided training to 3,241 first responders on the company's safety train in 2017.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has selected three qualified contracting teams to submit design-build proposals for the first phase of the Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM) project.

ABB says it is set to supply key power distribution elements for the Eglinton Crosstown project, Toronto, Canada's new light-rail transit line, to facilitate the line's safe operation with nearly zero emissions.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) has adjusted the project development timeline for the BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 extension in order to further evaluate tunneling options for the project.

In order to progress with state and federal environmental clearance, a defined project description is necessary. SCVTA staff originally identified a single-bore option to construct the five-mile subway portion of the extension as the viable option. However, a recent peer review panel, citing time constraints related to the current federal funding schedule coupled with the preference of BART, advised that a twin-bore tunnel would be the preferred option.

Metrolinx has awarded Stantec Consulting Ltd., along with its partner Amec Foster Wheeler, a technical advisory contract for its Bowmanville Rail Expansion project.

The firm will provide technical advisory, design and construction support services for the project, which will expand rail service approximately 12.42 miles (20 km) from Oshawa to Bowmanville.

R. J. Corman Railroad Group has announced a partnership with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet to begin an apprenticeship program.

Ontario and Metrolinx are proceeding with planned improvements for the Lakeshore West GO Transit corridor with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

The planned upgrades to the Lakeshore West GO corridor include track improvements and other work to enable increased service at Exhibition Station, where Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca and Member of Provincial Parliament for Trinity-Spadina Han Dong made the RFQ announcement on Dec. 7.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is ramping up its efforts to help put an end to domestic and international human trafficking.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is ramping up its efforts to help put an end to domestic and international human trafficking.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined failure to reduce speed led to a collision of two trains near Carvel, Alberta in June 2016.

No one was injured in the incident and a single empty hopper car sustained minor damage. TSB says the accident "highlights the systemic risks of not following railway signal indications." The incident report focuses on a number of safety risks, including the absence of physical fail-safe defenses to ensure that signals are consistently recognized and followed.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined failure to reduce speed led to a collision of two trains near Carvel, Alberta in June 2016.

No one was injured in the incident and a single empty hopper car sustained minor damage. TSB says the accident "highlights the systemic risks of not following railway signal indications." The incident report focuses on a number of safety risks, including the absence of physical fail-safe defenses to ensure that signals are consistently recognized and followed.

The Association of American Railroads and GoRail have honored House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) with the Railroad Achievement Award.

Shuster is the final calendar year recipient of the award, which was created in 2017 to recognize members of Congress who have shown consistent, bipartisan leadership on issues most pertinent to the nationwide rail network. The winners have shown particular leadership in recognizing the capital-intensive nature of railroads and the critical role they play in the U.S. economy, the organizations added.

The Association of American Railroads and GoRail have honored House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) with the Railroad Achievement Award.

Shuster is the final calendar year recipient of the award, which was created in 2017 to recognize members of Congress who have shown consistent, bipartisan leadership on issues most pertinent to the nationwide rail network. The winners have shown particular leadership in recognizing the capital-intensive nature of railroads and the critical role they play in the U.S. economy, the organizations added.

The Downtown San Bernardino Passenger Rail Project has officially been concluded.

The Downtown San Bernardino Passenger Rail Project has officially been concluded.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced The METRO Accountability and Reform Act on Dec. 4 aimed at reforming the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) through incentivized funding and an interim control board.

Rep. Comstock's office says the legislation is the result of more than a year of working with transportation experts such as former District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, former Virginia Transportation Secretary Jim Dyke, current U.S. Department of Transportation officials and WMATA officials including General Manager Paul Wiedefeld.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced The METRO Accountability and Reform Act on Dec. 4 aimed at reforming the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) through incentivized funding and an interim control board.

Rep. Comstock's office says the legislation is the result of more than a year of working with transportation experts such as former District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, former Virginia Transportation Secretary Jim Dyke, current U.S. Department of Transportation officials and WMATA officials including General Manager Paul Wiedefeld.