Norfolk Southern in 2023 moved its first carloads at partner Idaho Forest Group’s new sawmill in Lamar County, Miss. (NS Photograph)

For NS, $3.1B in 2023 Economic Development

Norfolk Southern (NS) teamed with 62 customers on industrial development projects totaling $3.1 billion in 2023, reflecting expansion or construction of new facilities along the 22-state rail network, the Class I reported Jan. 9.

“We are living in a time filled with unprecedented opportunity and unprecedented challenges in transportation,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during the Dec. 29 announcement of USDOT’s new Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee. “The deep expertise and diverse perspectives of this impressive group will provide advice to ensure the future of transportation is safe, efficient, sustainable, equitable and transformative.”

USDOT Launches ‘Transportation Innovation’ Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has formed a committee to advise on “plans and approaches for transportation innovation,” which it said comprises 27 members who were selected across sectors, geographies and areas of expertise.

Watch: CHSRA Releases 2023 Retrospective

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Dec. 27 celebrated “a year of progress” with a video retrospective of its top 10 milestones.

Port NOLA

Port NOLA Awarded $73.77MM U.S. DOT Grant for Terminal

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) will receive $73.77 million from the federal government to assist in building the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project, which will provide an efficient gateway for the movement of cargo on

“Rural communities face some of the toughest transportation challenges, yet are often left out of major federal investments, a pattern that we are changing that under President Biden’s leadership,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Dec. 12. “The grants we’re announcing today will make transportation in rural communities better, safer and more reliable.”

USDOT Awards $25.5MM in Rail-Related Rural Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 12 reported funding 18 projects—two freight rail-related—as part of its FY 2023-24 Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural), which is distributing a total of

From Left to Right: Canada's Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

U.S., Canada Provide Statement on Taking Action to Reduce Rail Sector Emissions

Canada’s Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm on Dec. 6 issued a joint statement, on the margins of COP28, addressing

Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA

USDOT: Nearly $3.1B for CHSRA

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 5 awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) nearly $3.1 billion in grant funding for continued progress on the country’s first electrified 220-mph high-speed rail system.

“Across the country, I have seen firsthand how projects funded by our RAISE program are helping communities realize long-held dreams and well-planned visions for better infrastructure,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Nov. 30.

USDOT: 2024 RAISE Grant Applications Welcome

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Nov. 30 released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2024 RAISE program, providing $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding for freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects with “significant local or regional impact.”

USDOT Launches New Multimodal Freight Office

As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Nov. 27 announced the launch of the Office of Modal Freight Infrastructure and Police (Multimodal Freight Office) to “oversee the maintenance and improvement of the nation’s freight network and supply chains.”

Rail Stakeholders Weigh in on Reciprocal Switching Proposal

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) comment period closed Nov. 7 for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) it issued this fall in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service.

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