Railroad News

Koppers Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Cox Industrial for $200 million in cash. Cox Industrial manufactures and distributes power distribution and transmission poles, pilings and related products to investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives and municipalities. The acquisition advances Koppers' strategy to become a "vertically integrated, high-value global supplier of wood-based technologies to infrastructure markets," company officials said in a press release. Koppers had exited the utility pole market in January 2015. However, the opportunity to re-enter the market with a "growth-focused management team" and the scale to compete was "attractive and compelling," said Koppers President and Chief Executive Officer Leroy Ball.

CSX has ordered Protran Technology's collision avoidance system (CAS) for installation on several hundred of its railway track machines. The system uses a radio solution to provide consistent distance measurements and alerts to other vehicles in the area. The CAS is expandable to provide protection to workers, as well as warnings for end of work zones. All safety interactions are recorded for review, Protran officials said in a press release. Financial details of CSX's order were not disclosed.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a request for proposals (RFP) to five prequalified teams to build and finance infrastructure upgrades on GO Transit's Lakeshore East line.

The scope of work includes two grade separations, track grading and drainage work and utility relocation along the central segment of the Lakeshore East corridor.

The government of Canada is committing CA$18.4 million (US$14.6 million) to the Port of Montréal for a rail project that will enhance trade corridors and help move commercial goods to market.

"Our government is investing in Canada's economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada's transportation networks remain competitive and efficient," said Canada's Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General has agreed to an audit of California's high-speed rail project, U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) announced yesterday.

The office agreed to action after Denham requested in December 2017 that it look into the project's "continued cost overruns" and a timeline that has grown over the years.

At an TRANSCAER® Awards ceremony held this week, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) was recognized for advancing rail safety awareness and emergency response training.

RAC's Director of Dangerous Goods Andy Ash and transportation of dangerous goods specialists Jean-Pierre Couture and Curtis Myson each won Regional Service Awards for promoting and growing the TRANSCAER initiative in Ontario, Quebec and the Prairies, respectively, according to an RAC press release.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) new president will be Phillip Eng.

Phillip Eng has been appointed president of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

He succeeds Patrick Nowakowski, whose resignation takes effect today. Eng joined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in March 2017, when he was appointed chief operating officer.

An Alstom-led consortium with SNC-Lavalin has obtained a CA$2.8 billion contract to deliver a complete automatic and driverless light-rail system for the Reseau Express Metropolitan (REM) project in Montreal.

The consortium's contract with CDPQ Infra includes rolling stock and signaling, as well as operation and maintenance services. Alstom's share of the contract is CA$2.2 billion and SNC-Lavalin's share is CA$600 million, according to an Alstom press release.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 12 to mark the start of construction on Montreal's Metropolitan Electric Network (REM), the new 67km automated light metro for the Canadian city.

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a 30-year, $4.9 billion contract with LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a new automated people mover (APM) train system at Los Angeles International Airport.

The agreement marks the largest contract ever awarded in the city's history, according to a press release issued by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

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Brightline yesterday announced plans to continue its rail safety efforts as it prepares to launch service to downtown Miami.

The passenger railroad has begun crew testing on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor between Fort Lauderdale and downtown Miami. Simulated service is expected to begin shortly, Brightline officials said in a press release.

Earlier this week, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA)  recognized short lines for success in marketing and military veteran recruitment.

The Veterans Recruitment Award was presented to Louisville & Indiana Railroad Co. (LIRC), a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings. The short line has a 30 percent ratio of veterans in its workforce, and 30 percent of its 2017 new hires are veterans, according to an ASLRRA press release. LIRC now has won the award for two straight years.

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) President Patrick Nowakowski will resign tomorrow.

In a statement, he said now is a good time to "step aside and allow new leadership to continue the progress we've begun to make on improving customer service."

People with expertise in transportation related roles have been shifting agencies and positions this week with major job changes occurring among the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and a nomination to the National Transportation Safety Board.

HNTB Corporation has announced the addition of John Orrison as a senior technical advisor in the railway engineering practice.

Union Pacific will invest $22.3 million into its Idaho network as part of the state's capital program for the year.