Railroad News

The TransLink Mayors' Council and the government of British Columbia have agreed on a plan to fund the CA$2.5 billion (US$1.91 billion) regional share of the Phase Two Plan for infrastructure.

TransLink describes the 10-year Phase Two Plan as a historic investment in the region's transit and transportation system and, once implemented, will help meet current and future demand. TransLink reported a six-percent increase in transit ridership in 2017 and expects the demand to increase as the region is expected to add more than 1 million people in the next 30 years.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has been released for a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LACMTA) project that will speed the turnaround time Red and Purple line trains need at Union Station, which will allow more of these trains along the lines.

Studying the potential of connecting Canada to the Pacific Northwest through ultra-high-speed rail service received a sign of support with the government of British Columbia agreeing to help fund analysis of such service.

The CA$300,000 (US$229,232) pledge will go toward an in-depth study with Washington state on the concept of rail service that would cut travel times between Vancouver and Seattle to about 60 minutes, which is down from the current three hours.

Public transit officials nationwide spoke out at a March 19 press briefing to express strong opposition to deep cuts to public transit in the Trump Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2019.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) opened an extension to its 15km (9.3-mile) Lynx Blue Line light rail line on March 16.

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is planning the first dedicated high-speed rail system in the U.S. When completed, it will enable passengers to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours, at speeds greater than 200 mph.

The province of Ontario and the government of Canada have reached an agreement that will provide CA$11.8 billion (US$9.02 billion) toward infrastructure spending.

The two governments say the investments will create economic growth, sustain well-paying jobs, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy.

Recently released statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reveal a mixed safety story for the rail industry with 2017 marking the lowest rate of track-caused and human factor-caused accidents ever, but the year also saw an increase in crossing incidents and in trespassing casualties.

First, the good news, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) credits rail employee's commitment to safety, as well as investments in maintenance and new technologies from railroads as reasons behind the industry's strong safety record. The AAR points to several notable safety statistics that are on a downward trend since 2000 and include a 44 percent decline in the train accident rate, a 38 percent decline in the equipment-caused accident rate, a 55 percent reduction in the track-caused accident rate, a 45 percent reduction in the human factor-caused accident rate and a 42 percent decline in the derailment rate.

The final design of a new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train station is making progress, following the recently completed final contract amendment between the Virginia Department of Rail Public Transportation (DRPT) and CSX Transportation (CSX).

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has voted to designate federal funding to conduct an in-depth financial, engineering and environmental study of a proposed passenger rail expansion project that would connect Boston, Mass., to Manchester.

Union Pacific (UP) has announced plans to invest $85 million in Wyoming's transportation infrastructure in 2018.

The Réseau de transport métropolitain (RTM) in Quebec detailed a five-year plan to improve service reliability along all rail lines and includes investments in infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, maintenance, as well as an enhanced winter operation plan.

RTM says that in addition to the CA$450 million (US$344.7 million) program, it would implement a service guarantee program that will offer user compensation options in the form of discounts or free train tickets; the details of which will be revealed later.

Union Pacific (UP) has announced it will support $103.6 million in Illinois' transportation infrastructure work this year.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is collaborating with the city of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on the complete replacement of the Woodland Avenue bridge.

Protran Technology, a division of Harsco Rail, has tapped Kyley Holmstrom to serve as the company's director of sales.

The infrastructure needs and value brought by the shortline railroads in the United States were the topic of testimony given at two Congressional hearings this week.

Sound Transit has awarded South County Transit Partners, a joint venture of Mott MacDonald and SNC-Lavalin, a design-build contract for the project management of its Federal Way Link Extension in the Seattle area, SNC-Lavalin announced.

Union Pacific plans to invest $113 million into its Kansas network in 2018. The Class 1 says the investment will enhance safety, operating efficiency and support customer service.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has selected Atlanta transit executive Jeffrey A. Parker as the sole finalist in its search for a permanent general manager and CEO.

Railway Age has named Class III railroad Lake State Railway as its Short Line of the Year, and Class II Indiana Rail Road as its Regional of the Year.