Gateway Program wants private sector ideas
The Gateway Program Development Corporation (GDC) is turning to the private sector to issue ideas on how to deliver the Hudson Tunnel Project.
Maintenance of Way
Texas Central, Fluor reach HSR agreement
As reported in the June 2017 issue of Railway Age, Fluor Corp. announced that it has reached agreement with Texas Central Rail Holdings, LLC to advance the preliminary development of the proposed 240-mile high-speed passenger rail line connecting Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.
Barbour joins HNTB
Michael Barbour, PE, has joined HNTB Corp.’s Southern California team as Senior Project Director and Associate Vice President, with responsibility for the California High-Speed Rail Construction Package 4 project, where he oversees project and construction management of technical and management staff.
Frauscher sets RI 2017 agenda
Frauscher Sensor Technology USA Inc. will be exhibiting its Frauscher Tracking Solutions (FTS) at Railway Interchange 2017 at booth 1801, where visitors “can learn more about inductive wheel sensors, reliable axle counters, and see the future of train tracking with solutions based on Fiber Optic Acoustic Detection (FOAD) technology,” the company says.
MBTA updates infrastructure improvements
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is using its increase in capital spending on system-wide upgrades and repairs. Following a 40% increase from 2016, MBTA says it’s kicking its infrastructure improvements into high gear.
Frac sand transload locating on UP line
Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure announced a new seven-year contract with an unnamed major customer to handle frac sand unit trains through a transload facility it is developing on the Union Pacific Railroad in Kingfisher, central Oklahoma.
CSX union tells Harrison: Don’t blame us
A CSX transportation union is pushing back against comments by President and Chief Executive Hunter Harrison, who recently blamed employees in part for the railroad’s service problems.
Commentary
Gateway chess game stalls Batory FRA confirmation
Confirmation of career-railroader Ronald L. Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator has been delayed by New Jersey and New York’s Senate delegation—Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand ((D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)—over what they say is concern that the federal government will not provide funding for the Gateway Project.
FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge EIS
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project on the Northeast Corridor.
Jacobs to buy CH2M for $3.27B
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced it would buy rival CH2M Hill Cos. Ltd. for $3.27 billion in cash and stock.