Railroad News

Union Leasing Inc. has appointed Todd Heemsoth president. Before joining the company, he was partner-in-charge for the strategic technologies division at Sikich LLP, a public accounting and technology consulting firm. Heemsoth also served as president of Hale Solutions Inc., an information technology consulting firm he founded in 2004 and sold to Sikich in December 2016. Heemsoth's successful track record in information and business systems, software implementation and strategic technologies makes him "uniquely suited for his new role," said Jeff Walsh, chief executive officer of Sasser Family Holdings, the parent company of Union Leasing, in a press release.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has awarded Kapsch TrafficCom a contract to design, develop, implement, support and maintain a turnkey regional mobile ticketing system. The new system will enable MARTA riders to purchase and electronically validate tickets using their mobile smart devices, as well as directly through the mobile ticketing site. The project is valued at just under $11 million. Kapsch and its partners Bytemark Inc. and TransTrack Systems Inc. will deliver a mobile ticketing app and website, a customer service tool for account management, electronic validators, and account-based back-office solutions for MARTA to manage the new system.

Great Western Railway Ltd. (GWR) has announced it won a bid to purchase 150 grain hoppers from the Saskatchewan government. The largest short line in the province, GWR operates 450 miles of track and serves shippers in the agriculture, energy, aggregates and potash industries.

"This is the first purchase of its kind since our inception, when the line was first purchased from Canadian Pacific in 2000," GWR officials said in an announcement.

On Wednesday, Cummins Inc. executives, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, and other state and local leaders announced plans for a $30 million railroad overpass on State Road 46 in downtown Columbus, Indiana.

The overpass is necessary as CSX continues to advance about $100 million worth of upgrades to a line shared with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad between Louisville and Indianapolis, Cummins officials said in a press release. When the work is completed in mid- to late 2018, CSX expects to begin increasing the number, weight and length of trains on the line.

Amtrak next week will begin running Empire Service trains to and from Grand Central Terminal in New York City as the railroad gears up for emergency repairs to Penn Station.

In coordination with the New York State Department of Transportation, Amtrak will provide six trains between Albany-Rensselaer and Grand Central during the renewal work period, which runs from July 10 through Sept. 1.

On Wednesday, Cummins Inc. executives, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, and other state and local leaders announced plans for a $30 million railroad overpass on State Road 46 in downtown Columbus, Indiana.

The overpass is necessary as CSX continues to advance about $100 million worth of upgrades to a line shared with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad between Louisville and Indianapolis, Cummins officials said in a press release. When the work is completed in mid- to late 2018, CSX expects to begin increasing the number, weight and length of trains on the line.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

Port Freeport has awarded a more than $21 million contract to Primoris Heavy Civil to build rail infrastructure at the southeastern Texas port.

Part of Primoris Services Corp., Primoris Heavy Civil will construct a rail spur and yard that includes 21,000 linear feet of track, as well as complete associated high-mast lighting, paving and drainage work. The rail spur will tie into a Union Pacific Railroad line and support an ongoing expansion at the port. Work is scheduled to start in the third quarter and conclude in second-quarter 2018.

The National Mediation Board (NMB) appointed Harry Hoglander chairman, effective July 1. He succeeds Linda Puchala, who will continue to serve as a board member.

An NMB member since August 2002, Hoglander previously was chairman in 2004-05, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2014-15. The chair serves a one-year term running from July 1 in a given year to June 30 in the succeeding year.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $20 million for Caltrain's electrification project.

The project involves electrifying the commuter railroad's corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, California. It also includes the purchase of electric multiple units for operating the new service.