Railroad News

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver has formally launched a smart card fare payment system, the agency announced last week.

The "MyRide" system enable riders to load up to $200 to pay fares on RTD's trains and buses. Passengers with a MyRide card also receive a 25 cent discount per trip, RTD officials said in a press release.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) next week will kick off a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 15 trolley line.

Scheduled to begin June 18, the work will take place on Girard Avenue between Broad Street and Corinthian Avenue in North Philadelphia. Crews will excavate and replace  4,100 track feet and repave the track area.

President Donald Trump joined U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao and other infrastructure stakeholders at USDOT's headquarters to close out Infrastructure Week and push the regulatory reform element of his infrastructure plan.

President Donald Trump joined U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao and other infrastructure stakeholders at USDOT's headquarters to close out Infrastructure Week and push the regulatory reform element of his infrastructure plan.

Severe flooding and washout conditions have caused OminTRAX Inc. to suspend operations June 9 on northern segment of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) between Amery and Churchill, Manitoba.

HBR has been unable to operate to Churchill since May 23 when high water made the track impassable. OmniTRAX does not expect to be able to resume operations before the winter season.

Severe flooding and washout conditions have caused OminTRAX Inc. to suspend operations June 9 on northern segment of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) between Amery and Churchill, Manitoba.

HBR has been unable to operate to Churchill since May 23 when high water made the track impassable. OmniTRAX does not expect to be able to resume operations before the winter season.

The Port of New Orleans will acquire the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad under an agreement between the city of New Orleans, the port and the railroad.

Stakeholders say the move is expected to give the port greater competitive advantage in international trade. The Public Belt Railroad will continue to serve the Port of New Orleans and can proceed with plans to invest and grow. The move is expected to give the port greater competitive advantage in international trade, which will be an economic boon for the city.

The Port of New Orleans will acquire the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad under an agreement between the city of New Orleans, the port and the railroad.

Stakeholders say the move is expected to give the port greater competitive advantage in international trade. The Public Belt Railroad will continue to serve the Port of New Orleans and can proceed with plans to invest and grow. The move is expected to give the port greater competitive advantage in international trade, which will be an economic boon for the city.

Union Pacific plans to spend $68 million in Iowa rail this year to improve its infrastructure. The state-spending plan is part of the Class 1's $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.

 $55 million of the Iowa budget will go toward maintaining track, while $10 million will to toward bridge maintenance. UP plans to spend $5 million investment in the rail line between Garden City and Bradford to replace 25 miles of rail. Another $10 million investment will replace the bridge over Abbe Creek in Bertram.

Union Pacific plans to spend $68 million in Iowa rail this year to improve its infrastructure. The state-spending plan is part of the Class 1's $3.1-billion 2017 capital program.

 $55 million of the Iowa budget will go toward maintaining track, while $10 million will to toward bridge maintenance. UP plans to spend $5 million investment in the rail line between Garden City and Bradford to replace 25 miles of rail. Another $10 million investment will replace the bridge over Abbe Creek in Bertram.

GE today announced that John Flannery has been named chief executive officer effective Aug. 1 and chairman effective Jan. 1, 2018.

As CEO, Flannery succeeds Jeff Immelt, who will remain chairman until his retirement from GE on Dec. 31. In addition, Jeff Bornstein, chief financial officer, has been promoted to vice chairman.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is seeking qualified firms to begin the first phase of the Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM).

The firms will design and build the first phase of the project, which CTA says "will significantly modernize, improve and increase rail service in Chicago for decades to come."

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is seeking qualified firms to begin the first phase of the Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM).

The firms will design and build the first phase of the project, which CTA says "will significantly modernize, improve and increase rail service in Chicago for decades to come."

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has selected ICF for a new contract to provide on-call environmental compliance services to support the county's transportation system.

ICF is a consulting and technology services provider with government and commercial clients. ICF was awarded the contract in the first quarter. The contract has a maximum value of $25.6 million and a term of five years including one three-year base and two one-year options.

6/12/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) late last week issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the first phase of its Red and Purple line modernization program.

The initial phase involves rebuilding four the oldest Red Line stations and making them accessible to people with disabilities. The initial phase also includes the construction of a rail bypass at a century-old junction where Red, Purple and Brown line trains intersect.

The Port of New Orleans will take over the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, while in exchange the railroad will transfer the Governor Nicholls Street and Esplanade Avenue wharves to the city of New Orleans, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced last week.

The arrangement is designed to stimulate economic growth of the port and local industries. The Public Belt will continue to serve the port, city and port officials said in a press release.