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LEGAL NOTICE

In re: WP Steel Ventures, LLC, et al., Debtors. Chapter 11 Case No. 12-11661 (KJC) Jointly Administered Hearing Date: Nov. 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. (ET) Objection Due: Nov. 13, 2012 at

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LEGAL NOTICE

In re: WP Steel Ventures, LLC, et al., Debtors. Chapter 11 Case No. 12-11661 (KJC) Jointly Administered Hearing Date: Nov. 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. (ET) Objection Due: Nov. 13, 2012 at

Hurricane’s impact dampens U.S. freight traffic

Data released Nov. 8 by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) showed Hurricane Sandy disrupted U.S. intermodal volume’s winning streak during the week ending Nov. 3, 2012. The hurricane also solidified U.S. freight carload traffic’s continuing slide during the latest week.

DDOT pleased by streetcar RFI responses

Washington, D.C.’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Thursday said response to its Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal (RFQ/RFI) was sufficient for the agency to pursue a 22-mile streetcar network serving the nation’s capital.

LRT defeat jeopardizes bistate bridge project

Voters in Clark County, Wash., on Tuesday rejected a proposed 0.1% sales tax to extend light rail transit across the Columbia River from Oregon—and that rejection could jeopardize a multimodal bridge designed to address bistate transportation.

Houston LRT backers decry OK to divert funds

Light rail transit advocates in Houston Wednesday morning mourned passage by voters of a referendum allowing Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) to divert 25% of its transit sales tax collection to roads, bridges, sidewalks, and other non-rail infrastructure. Metro itself supported the measure.

Eastern U.S. rail initiatives gain ground

Arlington, Va., voters Tuesday approved a $31.9 million transportation bond by a healthy four-to-one margin, making $14.6 million available for improvements to the WMATA Metrorail. Upgrades in WMATA’s Virginia stations would include larger station platforms to accommodate 8-car trains, and funds to help purchase additional 7000-series cars.

Twin California defeats loom for rail

Los Angeles County voters Tuesday who supported Measure J, extending a half-cent tax for public transportation, accounted for 65% of those voting on the measure, thus falling short of a supermajority needed to pass the measure.

FRA reports new rail safety gains

The Federal Railroad Administration’s preliminary safety report for the period January-August 2012 shows continued safety gains in key areas of freight railroading.

In LA, Measure J seeks more transit funds

At least 19 measures involving rail and public transit are on the ballot Tuesday across the U.S., with Los Angeles County potentially the biggest player involved. Voters in America’s second-largest city and surrounding munciipalities will decide whether to extend a half-cent sales tax (the existing Measure R, approved in 2008) by 30 years.

BNSF surge beefs up Berkshire earnings

Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. continues to reap handsome returns from its purchase of BNSF Railway. Berkshire late Monday announced that total third-quarter revenue grew 22% year-over-year to $41.1 billion, with a particularly strong performance from BNSF.

Talgo, Inc. sues Wisconsin

Attorneys for Seattle-based Talgo, Inc. on Monday announced they had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the rail equipment manufacturer against the state of Wisconsin, based on the state’s decision “to terminate its contract with the State of Wisconsin to build passenger trains to be used by the State for Amtrak’s Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago.”

STB takes new look at “paper barriers”

The Surface Transportation Board has announced a proposal to require disclosure of additional information concerning interchange commitments—known as “paper barriers”—underlying a lease or rail-line sale filed with the board.

IANA: Domestic container growth continues

Domestic container volume recorded double digit growth for the fourth quarter in a row, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) Intermodal Market Trends & Statistics report, released Monday.

For NJT, equipment damage looms large

New York-area residents attempted some resumption of “normal” travel-to-work routine Monday, with varying degrees of success. But New Jersey residents may be deprived of adequate rail transit alternatives for far longer than their counterparts in New York State and Connecticut may expect, in large part due to damaged rolling stock and locomotives.