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Jun
13

Gov. Sandoval signs bill to seek funds for Las Vegas light rail

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 6/13/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The system could connect McCarran International Airport to downtown Las Vegas.Photo – rtcsnv.com

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed legislation that enables the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) to seek funding for a potential 8.7-mile light-rail line in Las Vegas, local media reported late last week.

The line would connect McCarran International Airport to the city's downtown, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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Jun
13

Ohio panel OKs grade crossing improvements in Ravenna

Rail News Home Safety 6/13/2017 Rail News: Safety
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved the Ohio Rail Development Commission's authorization of Akron Barberton Cluster Railway Co.'s plan to upgrade active warning devices at the Cleveland Road crossing in Ravenna, Ohio.Federal funding for the projects was provided through the rail commission, according to a PUCO press release.To increase public safety during project construction, local governments may seek funding from the PUCO for the cost of safety improvements such as rumble strips, illumination and improved signage, PUCO officials said.Funding for such improvements comes from the State Grade Crossing Safety Fund and may not exceed $5,000 per project.The PUCO is responsible for evaluating Ohio's public grade crossings to determine the need for installing active warning devices. Since the commission began implementing these evaluations, the number of train-motor vehicle crashes in the state has decreased from 123 in 2001 to 64 in 2016.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Jun
13

Metrolinx issues RFP for Barrie Line double-track project

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 6/13/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The project calls for building a second track between Toronto's Union Station and a stop in Aurora, Ontario.Photo – GO Transit

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) have issued a request for qualifications for companies interested in building and financing a double-track project on GO Transit's Barrie Line.

The scope of work includes building a second track between Toronto's Union Station and a stop in Aurora, Ontario. The chosen firm also will perform grading, carry out track and signal upgrades, build noise and retaining walls, and expand bridges.

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Jun
13

Pontiac station opens on Chicago-St. Louis high-speed line

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) last week opened a new Amtrak station along the Chicago-to-St. Louis higher-speed rail line.

Located in downtown Pontiac, Ill., the 1,350-square-foot building features a peaked roof, glass facade and free Wi-Fi. The station will serve passengers on Amtrak's Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains.

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Jun
13

APTA pushes to preserve federal transit funding

Public transit leaders joined together at the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) annual conference in Baltimore, Md., to discuss and express their concerns regarding the Trump Administration's FY18 budget proposal to phase out the Capital Improvement Grant (CIG) program.

The FY18 budget reflects a $928-million reduction in the CIG program and limits the requested $1.26 billion to projects that hold existing full funding grant agreements (FFGA). The budget says, "future investments in new transit projects would be funded by the localities that use the benefit from these localized projects." The administration justified the reduction and phase out of the CIG program by stating that "federal resources should be focused on making targeted investments that leverage private sector investment" and noted that "localities are better equipped to scale and design infrastructure investments needed for their communities."

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Jun
13

APTA pushes to preserve federal transit funding

Public transit leaders joined together at the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) annual conference in Baltimore, Md., to discuss and express their concerns regarding the Trump Administration's FY18 budget proposal to phase out the Capital Improvement Grant (CIG) program.

The FY18 budget reflects a $928-million reduction in the CIG program and limits the requested $1.26 billion to projects that hold existing full funding grant agreements (FFGA). The budget says, "future investments in new transit projects would be funded by the localities that use the benefit from these localized projects." The administration justified the reduction and phase out of the CIG program by stating that "federal resources should be focused on making targeted investments that leverage private sector investment" and noted that "localities are better equipped to scale and design infrastructure investments needed for their communities."

Continue reading
Jun
13

APTA pushes to preserve federal transit funding

Public transit leaders joined together at the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) annual conference in Baltimore, Md., to discuss and express their concerns regarding the Trump Administration's FY18 budget proposal to phase out the Capital Improvement Grant (CIG) program.

The FY18 budget reflects a $928-million reduction in the CIG program and limits the requested $1.26 billion to projects that hold existing full funding grant agreements (FFGA). The budget says, "future investments in new transit projects would be funded by the localities that use the benefit from these localized projects." The administration justified the reduction and phase out of the CIG program by stating that "federal resources should be focused on making targeted investments that leverage private sector investment" and noted that "localities are better equipped to scale and design infrastructure investments needed for their communities."

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Jun
13

MTA unveils Penn Station summer service plan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday released a transportation plan aimed at maintaining rush-hour commuter capacity to and from Manhattan during Amtrak's summer repair schedule at Penn Station.

The plan calls for adding MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains during rush hour at the station, as well as lengthening existing trains. In addition, the MTA will create a new bus and ferry network that's free to LIRR monthly and weekly ticketholders, and provide free morning subway transfers for LIRR passengers, agency officials said in a press release.

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Jun
13

Florida East Coast Railway honored for business development

Rail News Home Short Lines & Regionals 6/13/2017 Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) recently was recognized by Norfolk Southern Railway for bringing in more than 1,000 carloads of new business as part of the Class I's 250 Squared program.FEC Railway received a "platinum new business development award" at NS' annual short-line meeting last month in Norfolk, Va., FEC officials said in a press release.The NS 250 Squared program is designed to identify new opportunities for rail in order to provide shippers with additional options."Our partnership with Norfolk Southern enables us to provide competitive solutions, which allow customers to access Florida markets seamlessly and efficiently," said Brad Hall, FEC Railway's chief commercial officer.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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Jun
13

R. J. Corman marks 30 years

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. LLC is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. The company that the late Rick Corman founded in January 1987 with the acquisition of a branch line has blossomed into a diverse organization with numerous divisions.

 

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Jun
13

R. J. Corman marks 30 years

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. LLC is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. The company that the late Rick Corman founded in January 1987 with the acquisition of a branch line has blossomed into a diverse organization with numerous divisions.

 

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Jun
13

R. J. Corman marks 30 years

R. J. Corman Railroad Co. LLC is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year. The company that the late Rick Corman founded in January 1987 with the acquisition of a branch line has blossomed into a diverse organization with numerous divisions.

 

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Jun
13

Louis Berger and Egis enter joint venture

Louis Berger and Egis joined in an exclusive partnership "to meet the project development and delivery needs for mass transit, rail and freight owners and operators in North America."

The Louis Berger-Egis joint venture made its debut during the American Public Transportation Association conference in Baltimore, Md..

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Jun
13

Louis Berger and Egis enter joint venture

Louis Berger and Egis joined in an exclusive partnership "to meet the project development and delivery needs for mass transit, rail and freight owners and operators in North America."

The Louis Berger-Egis joint venture made its debut during the American Public Transportation Association conference in Baltimore, Md..

Continue reading
Jun
13

Louis Berger and Egis enter joint venture

Louis Berger and Egis joined in an exclusive partnership "to meet the project development and delivery needs for mass transit, rail and freight owners and operators in North America."

The Louis Berger-Egis joint venture made its debut during the American Public Transportation Association conference in Baltimore, Md..

Continue reading
Jun
13

Union Pacific to invest $22 million in two key projects in New Mexico rail maintenance

The Class 1 plans to invest $22 million to maintain track and $1 million in other improvements across the state. Projects include a $14 million investment in the rail line between Carrizozo and Fort Bliss to replace 116,318 crossties and install 55,470 tons of ballast and a $1.6 million investment in the rail line across Lordsburg to replace 10,615 crossties and install 3,000 tons of ballast.

This year's planned $23 million capital expenditure in New Mexico adds to the more than $105 million the railroad has invested in the state between 2012 and 2016.

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Jun
13

Union Pacific to invest $22 million in two key projects in New Mexico rail maintenance

The Class 1 plans to invest $22 million to maintain track and $1 million in other improvements across the state. Projects include a $14 million investment in the rail line between Carrizozo and Fort Bliss to replace 116,318 crossties and install 55,470 tons of ballast and a $1.6 million investment in the rail line across Lordsburg to replace 10,615 crossties and install 3,000 tons of ballast.

This year's planned $23 million capital expenditure in New Mexico adds to the more than $105 million the railroad has invested in the state between 2012 and 2016.

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Jun
13

Union Pacific to invest $22 million in two key projects in New Mexico rail maintenance

The Class 1 plans to invest $22 million to maintain track and $1 million in other improvements across the state. Projects include a $14 million investment in the rail line between Carrizozo and Fort Bliss to replace 116,318 crossties and install 55,470 tons of ballast and a $1.6 million investment in the rail line across Lordsburg to replace 10,615 crossties and install 3,000 tons of ballast.

This year's planned $23 million capital expenditure in New Mexico adds to the more than $105 million the railroad has invested in the state between 2012 and 2016.

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Jun
13

APTA recognizes rail agencies for safety, security

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 6/13/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
MARTA received the safety award in the heavy-rail category.Photo – APTA's Facebook

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) yesterday announced the winners of its annual Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the APTA Rail Conference in Baltimore, recognized North American rail systems for excellence in safety and security programs and operations, APTA officials said in a press release.

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Jun
13

RFQ issued for Barrie Rail expansion project

The planned expansion of the Barrie GO line in Toronto, ON, Canada is taking a step forward with the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

 

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