People News: Metrolink, Balfour Beatty
Metrolink names Tom Schamber as the agency’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Also, Balfour Beatty appoints William Motherway as Vice President of Risk for its U.S. Infrastructure Operations.
Author: Carolina Worrell
NYMTA Approves Tunnel-Boring Contract For Second Avenue Subway Phase 2
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Aug. 18 announced that it has approved the tunnel-boring contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway project, which will extend the Q train from 96th Street north to 125th Street to Park Avenue, delivering new transit access to East Harlem residents.
ACTA, TSA, FBI Partner on Rail-Infrastructure Security
The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) on Aug. 15 announced that it has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct a “comprehensive tabletop
Transit Briefs: TTC, SEPTA, REM
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) pursues a single-source contract with Alstom. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will begin 20% service cuts on Aug. 24; and Réseau express métropolitain (REM) service is set to resume after a six-week summer shutdown.
City of Rochelle Expands RITC
Representatives from the City of Rochelle, Ill., along with state transportation officials, local economic partners, railroad and trucking industries, on Aug. 14 celebrated the expansion of the Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center (RITC).
People News: MARTA, Ports of Indiana, North American Rail Solutions
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) appoints Chief Legal Counsel Jonathan Hunt as interim General Manager and CEO. Also, Ports of Indiana appoints Dexter Salenda to the newly created Foreign Trade and Economic Development Director role; and North American Rail Solutions welcomes Wyatt Cox as General Counsel.
ITS Logistics Issues August US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index
“Export volumes remain challenged as tariff negotiations continue, while inbound volumes, especially to the U.S. West Coast, are still strong,” according to ITS Logistics’ recently released August forecast for its US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index. “Trucker financial health is also an escalating concern across the industry.”
NTSB Issues Preliminary Report for NS July 18 Derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the July 18, 2025, Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment with subsequent collision and hazardous materials release near Browns, Ill.
Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Santa Clara VTA
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signs off on Metro’s Transit Blue Line Extension environmental review. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors votes to join the California Senate Bill 63 endorsement and sticks with a single-bore tunnel for the final phase of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension.
Small-Road Briefs: New York & Atlantic Railway, R.J. Corman, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) members ratify a two-year agreement with the New York & Atlantic Railway (NY&A). Also, R.J. Corman Signaling Manager Shane Burks II joins the 2025-26 Leadership Lexington Program; and Charlotte Pipe and Foundry opens a new facility in Maize, Kans., which has premier access to Watco’s Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad.