The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 6 reported signing off on 180 infrastructure grants, totaling more than $3.2 billion. Grants to be administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will support 24 projects for freight and passenger rail/transit, valued at a total of $282.4 million.
Class I railroad veteran Paul Duncan joins Cando Rail & Terminals (Cando) as Chief Operating Officer. Also, Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) appoints K.E. “Kirk” Bedford as Vice President, New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA); and professional services firm STV bolsters its National Planning Team to support transportation project development across the United States.
New San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) survey results show strong customer satisfaction. Also, the Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) will extend the A-train to the Downtown Carrollton Station; and the International Association of Sheet, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) ratifies a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services.
On May 5, Congressmen John Moolenaar (R-MI), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Craig Goldman (R-TX) introduced the Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act (the LOCOMOTIVES Act), which aims to “limit the State of California’s ability to place unsustainable regulations on trains crossing into the state.”
Union Pacific (UP) links to the new Capital Area Rail Terminal in Jefferson City, Mo., and signs a historic lease agreement for Colorado’s Moffat Tunnel, replacing the original 1926 lease. Also, BNSF honors its 2024 Employees of the Year in Fort Worth, Tex.; and CSX celebrates three employees whose “outstanding commitment to strong attendance” has earned them new cars.
Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs on May 5 provided an update on recent actions to “facilitate and expedite the resolution of several outstanding Board proceedings.” They are as follows: “The
FreightCar America, Inc. on May 5 reported first-quarter 2025 results that included gross profit up 26% and gross margin expanding 780 basis points. The company generated operating cash flow of $12.8 million
Total intermodal volume rose 6.3% in first-quarter 2025, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth, reported the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) in its latest quarterly report. International and domestic containers increased 8.5% and 5.6%, respectively, while trailers fell 18.2%. The association also projected the intermodal network “to contract 0.6% in 2025 on the heels of an 8.5% gain in 2024.”
The Indiana Rail Road Co. (INRD) promotes Brian Jonaitis to Vice President of Business Development. Also, Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) welcomes six new Board of Director members.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on May 2 announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Union Railroad, a Class III switching railroad with 128 miles