USDOT streamlining environmental review for multimodal projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation plans to streamline the environmental review process for multimodal projects, to speed development while removing bureaucratic obstacles.
Maintenance of Way
Harsco Rail finds railroad to Mecca (and South Africa, too)
Harsco Rail, Harsco Corp.’s railway track maintenance division, has landed two equipment orders, one in Saudi Arabia, one in South Africa, worth close to $25 million.
Siemens joins San Diego LRT extension project
Mid-Coast Transit Constructors, the joint venture of Stacy and Witbeck, Herzog and Skanska building the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) 10.9-mile Mid-Coast Corridor light rail extension project, has selected Siemens Mobility to provide automation/signaling and traction power systems. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
BNSF, UP expanding, upgrading in northern Idaho
Track projects this summer in northern Idaho are expanding capacity on a busy segment of BNSF’s Northern Corridor, and upgrading conditions on Union Pacific’s route to the Canadian border.
Back-to-school CP safety program under way
Canadian Pacific is hoping its annual back-to-school safety message finds students, parents and caregivers before a train does.
RSI numbers: 260, 756, 44, 281
The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) unveiled an analysis of the economic role its 260-plus member companies play in the U.S. economy during Railway Interchange 2017 in Indianapolis. The analysis shows that RSI members represent more than 756 rail supply locations in 44 states in 281 congressional districts.
Aurora, the next generation
INDIANAPOLIS: Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) at Railway Interchange 2017 introduced Aurora Xiv™, the newest generation of its Aurora track (ties and ballast) inspection platform.
LRIW honors TTCI’s Stabler
INDIANAPOLIS: The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) named Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) President Lisa Stabler as 2017 Outstanding Woman of the Year. Stabler was honored at the General Session of Railway Interchange.
BNSF, WSDOT awarded W.W. Hay Award
INDIANAPOLIS: At Railway Interchange 2017, the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) presented the 2017 Dr. William W. Hay Award for Excellence to BNSF and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the Improvements for Passenger Rail Service and Reliability on BNSF Railway in Washington State project.
Commentary
NMB nominees and labor talks advance
Senate confirmation of two new Republican members to the three-member National Mediation Board (NMB), and confirmation of a Democrat to a third NMB term, is anticipated in the next few weeks. The NMB will then be under Republican control for the first time since 2009.