Railroads outpace all U.S. infrastructure in new report card
American railroads earned a grade of B for infrastructure while the rest of the U.S. sectors got a barely-passing D+ in the latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Commuter Regional
Transport center stage in “Women Can Build” photo exhibit
In honor of Women’s History Month, Jobs to Move America and the New York City Department of Transportation announced the launch of the Women Can Build photography exhibit revealing the contributions of women building 21st Century transportation, including trams, rail, buses, bridges and roads.
Brightline adds new CEO, expands management
Brightline, the private operator of inter-city passenger rail service in Florida, announced that Dave Howard has joined the company as chief executive.
FLA DOT rail projects budget heads to capitol
The Florida Transportation Commission approved the state Department of Transportation’s project plan, including freight and passenger rail, through fiscal 2022.
Metra seeks bids for Chicago bridge project
Chicago’s Metra transit agency is seeking bids for the next phase of the multi-year Union Pacific North bridge project, which will replace 100-year-old bridges over 11 streets on the North Side of Chicago, as well as construct the inbound half of the new Ravenswood Station.
Engineering NEC HSR Safety
With Bridget Hodgson, President, BRT Services: During late 2015, Amtrak conducted Vehicle Track Interaction (VTI) testing over a number of selected test sites in New England and New Jersey. This testing constituted a portion of the “safety case” required of Amtrak by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for certification to raise the maximum authorized speed for high-speed trainsets (on a limited number of segments) to 160 mph.
Wabtec lands $97 million TEXRail C&S contract
Wabtec Corp. has signed a $97 million contract to provide signaling and communication services for TEXRail, a new, 27-mile, double-track Fort Worth Transportation Authority commuter rail service expected to open in 2018.
Brohm named PNR RailWorks EVP
RailWorks Corp. has appointed John Brohm, a 30-year veteran of the transit and rail supply industry, as Executive Vice president with responsibility for the Ontario operations of PNR RailWorks Inc., its Canadian subsidiary.
Prendergast joins STV
Thomas F. Prendergast, recently retired Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Railway Age’s 2017 Railroader of the Year, has joined STV Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer.
Orseno set to retire at year-end
Don Orseno, who began his career in 1974 as a ticket collector on the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific, will retire as Metra Executive Director and CEO in December.