Railroad News

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) late last week reminded transit agencies and railroads about ways to protect their systems from terrorist attacks.

The TSA's message followed the release of a recent video from terrorist group Al-Qaeda that focused on threats to U.S. rail systems by homegrown violent extremists, TSA officials said in an emailed statement.

President Donald Trump yesterday signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the federal permitting process for construction of transportation, water and other infrastructure projects while still protecting the environment.

The order also requires agencies to work together "more efficiently" by requiring one lead agency for each major infrastructure project, Trump said, according to a transcript of his comments. Agencies will be held accountable if they fail to streamline the permitting process.

The Metropolitan Council on Monday reached agreements with BNSF Railway Co. and the Twin Cities & Western Railroad to permit light-rail operations along the same corridor as freight operations.

The pacts will enable the council to begin seeking federal funding for its planned $1.9 billion Southwest light-rail project, the Star Tribune reported earlier this week.

Global design firm Stantec has added Ryan Raske to its team as senior railway engineer in St. Paul, Minn.

Raske will bring more than 15 years of experience as a civil engineer and project manager. Throughout his career, he has worked with several major freight rail companies, including BNSF, Canadian National, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, focusing on design, project management and permitting. Raske has experience in the design, planning and production of various transportation projects including rail yard, siding and intermodal facility grading and drainage.

Global design firm Stantec has added Ryan Raske to its team as senior railway engineer in St. Paul, Minn.

Raske will bring more than 15 years of experience as a civil engineer and project manager. Throughout his career, he has worked with several major freight rail companies, including BNSF, Canadian National, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, focusing on design, project management and permitting. Raske has experience in the design, planning and production of various transportation projects including rail yard, siding and intermodal facility grading and drainage.

Global design firm Stantec has added Ryan Raske to its team as senior railway engineer in St. Paul, Minn.

Raske will bring more than 15 years of experience as a civil engineer and project manager. Throughout his career, he has worked with several major freight rail companies, including BNSF, Canadian National, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, focusing on design, project management and permitting. Raske has experience in the design, planning and production of various transportation projects including rail yard, siding and intermodal facility grading and drainage.

Gannet Fleming, Inc., is expanding its Security and Safety Practice by four; joining the team is James "Jim" E. Smith, Gene Perry, Jacy C. Harper and Brandon S. Huckeba.

The firm says the expansion is "to meet the growing need to protect the country's infrastructure."

Gannet Fleming, Inc., is expanding its Security and Safety Practice by four; joining the team is James "Jim" E. Smith, Gene Perry, Jacy C. Harper and Brandon S. Huckeba.

The firm says the expansion is "to meet the growing need to protect the country's infrastructure."

Gannett Fleming, Inc., is expanding its Security and Safety Practice by four; joining the team is James "Jim" E. Smith, Gene Perry, Jacy C. Harper and Brandon S. Huckeba.

​

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 12, 2017.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has appointed Luis Manuel Ramirez general manager and chief executive officer, Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack announced yesterday.

Ramirez will succeed interim General Manager Steve Poftak on Sept. 12. Ramirez most recently ran his own strategic and turnaround business consulting firm, Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials said in a press release.

A newly signed presidential Executive Order aims to reduce the time it takes projects to move through the federal permitting and review processes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says the Executive Order (EO), "Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects," streamlines the environmental review system and removes current roadblocks in order to ensure a faster and more efficient permitting process for America's major infrastructure projects.

A newly signed presidential Executive Order aims to reduce the time it takes projects to move through the federal permitting and review processes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says the Executive Order (EO), "Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects," streamlines the environmental review system and removes current roadblocks in order to ensure a faster and more efficient permitting process for America's major infrastructure projects.

A newly signed presidential Executive Order aims to reduce the time it takes projects to move through the federal permitting and review processes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says the Executive Order (EO), "Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects," streamlines the environmental review system and removes current roadblocks in order to ensure a faster and more efficient permitting process for America's major infrastructure projects.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has named Luis Manuel Ramírez as its next General Manager/CEO, effective Sept. 12.

Ramírez, who will succeed Interim GM Steve Poftak, is credited with successful division turnarounds at some of the nation's largest corporations through his 30-year business career.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has named Luis Manuel Ramírez as its next General Manager/CEO, effective Sept. 12.

Ramírez, who will succeed Interim GM Steve Poftak, is credited with successful division turnarounds at some of the nation's largest corporations through his 30-year business career.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has named Luis Manuel Ramírez as its next General Manager/CEO, effective Sept. 12.

Ramírez, who will succeed Interim GM Steve Poftak, is credited with successful division turnarounds at some of the nation's largest corporations through his 30-year business career.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Monday wrote its second letter to CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison to express the agency's continued concern over the "widespread degradation of rail service" across the Class I's network.

Late last month, the STB wrote to Harrison about reported disruptions in rail service that resulted from changes to CSX's operating plan. Harrison began implementing the plan after taking over as CSX's leader earlier this year.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Monday wrote its second letter to CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison to express the agency's continued concern over the "widespread degradation of rail service" across the Class I's network.

Late last month, the STB wrote to Harrison about reported disruptions in rail service that resulted from changes to CSX's operating plan. Harrison began implementing the plan after taking over as CSX's leader earlier this year.

Union Pacific is encouraging safety at railroad tracks with its interactive public safety campaign. The Class 1 released the campaign on Facebook, YouTube, Hulu and other online news sites so it could be easily shared.

"Trains cannot swerve or stop quickly, unfortunately for drivers and pedestrians, trains follow the rails forward hitting anyone or anything in their paths," said Cameron Scott, Union Pacific executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Train accidents are preventable if people actively think about their safety at railroad crossings and choose to stop and patiently wait for approaching trains."