New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund reauthorized
New Jersey officials reauthorized the state’s Transportation Trust Fund at $2 billion a year for the next eight years.
Maintenance of Way
Caltrax launches in Calgary
Caltrax Inc announced the October 3 launch of its Mobile Repair Unit in the Calgary area. Repairing railcars since 1992, Caltrax Inc expands further in Western Canada with this Calgary shop that offers
LRIW honors Metro-North’s Bonilla
The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) named MTA Metro-North Railroad Assistant Chief Engineer Track and Structures Anamaria Bonilla, P.E., 2016 Outstanding Woman of the Year.
Mehdi Nezami promoted to LJA Senior Project Manager
LJA Engineering has promoted Mehdi Nezami, P.E., to Senior Project Manager in its Land Division.
Suppliers to Congress: STB shooting first, asking questions later
The industry groundswell attacking the Surface Transportation Board’s pending actions on forced access and commodity reregulation has grown to include the railway supply community, including the three principal trade associations (REMSA, RSI and RSSI) and numerous members, the Railway Tie Association and the railway contracting community, led by the NRC.
Union Pacific focus: Future
Cover story, September issue: Like most Class I railroads, Union Pacific has had to make adjustments to deal with sharp declines in coal and other commodities. While its $3.75 billion 2016 capital program is lower than last year’s, it upholds a strong commitment to maintaining a state of good repair, building capacity and improving technology. As well, UP is committed to sustainability. And then there’s yet another historic UP steam locomotive undergoing restoration.
Chile mulls new Santiago – Valparaíso line
A study commissioned by Chilean State Railways (EFE) into the construction of a new rail link between Santiago and Valparaíso has concluded that one of the options under consideration would meet government investment criteria.
Operating license granted for Brazilian mineral line
Brazilian mining giant Vale has obtained a 10-year operating license from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (Ibama) for a rail link to the new Carajás Serra Sul (S11D) mine in the state of Pará.
Atlanta issues bid request for Streetcar Track System
The City of Atlanta, Department of Procurement (“DOP”), announced a bid for FC-9139, Emergency On-Call Repair and Maintenance for the Atlanta Streetcar Track System.
Expanded random drug testing, of course—with a few changes
Federal Railroad Administration data says the percentage of rail workers who tested positive in random drug tests increased to 0.53% in 2015 from 0.37% in 2014, following five years of stable rates.