Railroad News

Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) partners yesterday submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking a $160 million Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant for several freight- and passenger-rail projects.

The grant would help leverage private and public dollars for the program's 75th Street Corridor improvement project and Argo Connections project. The federal funds sought in the INFRA application would cover only one-third of total costs, but would close a funding gap that would enable the projects to quickly proceed to construction, CREATE officials said in a press release.

Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger has been named one of the nation's top lobbyists in 2017 by The Hill, a national political newspaper.

AAR's top executive since 1998, Hamberger was included on the list of lobbyists serving associations.

North Carolina Railroad Co.'s (NCRR) board last month elected Michael Walters as chairman. He succeeds Franklin Rouse.

Walters has served on the railroad's board since 2015 and chaired its Audit and Finance Committee since 2015. He also serves on the boards for Forestry Mutual Insurance Co. and the North Carolina Forestry Association.

American Honda Motor Co. moved nearly 48,000 vehicles through the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, during its 2017 fiscal year.

That figure marks a nearly threefold increase over the previous fiscal year, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) officials said in a press release. Honda moved 34,700 more vehicles in FY2017 than it did in FY2016.

Ontario has closed its request for proposals to design and build a new Kipling Station in Toronto.

The move marks the start of the project's next phase of procurement, Ontario Ministry of Transportation officials said in a press release.

Amtrak has appointed Christian Zacariassen chief information officer, the railroad announced yesterday.

As CIO, Zacariassen will be responsible for all information technology (IT) business systems, including strategy, technology investment portfolio governance, systems development, infrastructure, IT operations and information security.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed New York City-area transit agencies and passenger railroads to step up security after a man killed eight people and injured nine others in what authorities have said was an act of terrorism in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has increased security patrols and surveillance across all its agencies, according to a press release issued by Cuomo's office.

October was the best month for U.S. intermodal traffic in history, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported yesterday.

U.S. railroads' carload traffic last month declined 0.1 percent to 1,065,777 units, but the number of intermodal units rose 6.4 percent to 1,144,157 containers and trailers compared with October 2016 figures, AAR officials said in a press release.

Plans to expand the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore came to a halt as CSX has decided not to pursue the project.

Plans to expand the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore came to a halt as CSX has decided not to pursue the project.

Plans to expand the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore came to a halt as CSX has decided not to pursue the project.

voestalpine Nortrak Inc. and NICE Rail Products have launched EvertrakTM composite crossties.

The companies say the partnership to develop Evertrak™ ties is the result of many months of customer input, research and testing. The product line consists of standard crossties, turnout ties and specialty ties for bridges, tunnels and grade crossings and is suitable for interspersing with wood ties, especially in areas of termite infestation, salt water intrusion or soft sub-grade.

voestalpine Nortrak Inc. and NICE Rail Products have launched EvertrakTM composite crossties.

The companies say the partnership to develop Evertrak™ ties is the result of many months of customer input, research and testing. The product line consists of standard crossties, turnout ties and specialty ties for bridges, tunnels and grade crossings and is suitable for interspersing with wood ties, especially in areas of termite infestation, salt water intrusion or soft sub-grade.

voestalpine Nortrak Inc. and NICE Rail Products have launched EvertrakTM composite crossties.

The companies say the partnership to develop Evertrak™ ties is the result of many months of customer input, research and testing. The product line consists of standard crossties, turnout ties and specialty ties for bridges, tunnels and grade crossings and is suitable for interspersing with wood ties, especially in areas of termite infestation, salt water intrusion or soft sub-grade.

Robert Vaughan has been named to the governing board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA).

He'll serve as the business representative for the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, SFRTA officials said in a press release.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) later this month will host three public hearings on the King of Prussia Rail project.

To be held Nov. 13 and 15, the meetings will include an open house and presentation about the project, which calls for extending SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia and Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania.