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May
22

Legislation would reauthorize FEMA

Rail News Home Federal Legislation & Regulation 5/22/2017 Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Members of a House committee and subcommittee introduced legislation last week to reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the first time since the agency was created in 1979.The FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (H.R. 2548) was introduced by the leaders of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee.In addition to reauthorizing FEMA, the bill calls for a "comprehensive study" of ways to reduce disaster costs and losses to ensure the nation is better prepared to address and respond to disaster challenges, according to a press release issued by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.The bill also aims to improve the nation's emergency management capabilities, strengthen components of the preparedness and response system, and support emergency response personnel."Losses in lives and economic costs as a result of disasters have been rising in recent years," said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.). "This bill begins to seriously address this trend and seek ways to reduce losses caused by future disasters." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/22/2017

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May
22

Port Manatee, Guatemala seek to grow trade

Rail News Home Shippers 5/22/2017 Rail News: Shippers
Port Manatee is a hub for Guatemalan imports and exports.Photo –

Port Manatee and Guatemala are seeking to increase the amount of imports and exports shipped between the two, representatives of the Florida port and Central American nation announced last week.

"Port Manatee is already an important hub for Guatemalan imports and exports, and we see substantial prospects for growth in this relationship," said Dunia Miranda-Mauri, Guatemala's Miami-based trade commissioner, in a press release.

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May
22

STB: Class I employment dipped in April

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 5/22/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
Class Is employed 149,107 workers in the United States as of mid-April, down 0.14 percent compared with mid-March and down 2.64 percent from the year-ago figure, according to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).Of the six employment categories, half reported decreases compared with mid-March. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 2.5 percent to 8,832 employees; professional and administrative, down 4.04 percent to 12,671; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.28 percent to 27,849.Reflecting increases compared with mid-March were maintenance of way and structures, up 0.35 percent to 34,218 workers; transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.09 percent to 5,849; and transportation (train and engine), up 0.84 percent to 59,688.On a year-over-year basis, most categories reflected decreases. Executives, officials and staff assistants were down 5.35 percent; professional and administrative, down 8.21 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 5.45 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 4.19 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 6.15 percent.Transportation (train and engine) was the only category to post an increase in employment on a year-over-year basis. Employment in that category rose 2 percent over the period. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/22/2017

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May
22

NJ Transit board OKs contract for Portal Bridge replacement work

Rail News Home Maintenance Of Way 5/22/2017 Rail News: Maintenance Of Way
The Portal Bridge was built more than a century ago.Photo – nec.amtrak.com

New Jersey Transit's board last week approved an early action contract with PKF-Mark III Inc. for work to support the Portal Bridge replacement project.

The $14.5 million contract involves realigning a 138kV transmission pole, installing new fiber optic cable poles and building a steel bridge structure over the Jersey City Municipal Utility Authority's water main.

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May
22

TriMet MAX lines return to regular service post-Morrison-Yamhill project

After three weeks of improvements, regular service was restored to all TriMet MAX routes in Portland City Center on May 21.

Improvements for the Morrison-Yamhill MAX included track, switch, signal and intersection changes on SW Morrison and Yamhill streets at 11th and 1st avenues.

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May
22

TriMet MAX lines return to regular service post-Morrison-Yamhill project

After three weeks of improvements, regular service was restored to all TriMet MAX routes in Portland City Center on May 21.

Improvements for the Morrison-Yamhill MAX included track, switch, signal and intersection changes on SW Morrison and Yamhill streets at 11th and 1st avenues.

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May
22

Cuomo asks Trump for emergency funds for Penn Station

Rail News Home Amtrak 5/22/2017 Rail News: Amtrak
Two recent derailments at Penn Station stemmed from a wide gauge track condition.Photo – Amtrak

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday asked President Donald Trump to provide emergency funding to address the "state of disrepair" at Penn Station.

In a letter to the president, Cuomo asked for federal assistance for short-term construction and transportation alternatives, and facilitation of a long-term solution to problems at the New York City station.

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May
22

California Transportation Commission allocates more than $47 million to rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $47 million to state rail projects that the commission says will alleviate traffic delays, repair infrastructure and encourage non-car focused transportation.

 

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May
22

California Transportation Commission allocates more than $47 million to rail projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $47 million to state rail projects that the commission says will alleviate traffic delays, repair infrastructure and encourage non-car focused transportation.

 

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May
22

Ontario advances Toronto-Windsor high-speed rail line

Rail News Home High-Speed Rail 5/22/2017 Rail News: High-Speed Rail
The province plans to set up a new governing body to oversee the design and implementation of the proposed system.Photo – Ontario high-speed rail adviser David Collenette's feasibility report

Ontario is moving forward with preliminary design work for a Toronto-Windsor high-speed rail route, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced late last week.

In fall, Ontario officials are expected issue a request for bids for the design needed for an environmental assessment. Ontario will invest 15 million Canadian dollars in the assessment, according to a press release issued by Wynne's office.

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May
22

Ontario commits to Toronto - Windsor high-speed rail

The premier of Ontario Ms. Kathleen Wynne announced on May 19 that the province will move forward with plans to build Canada's first high-speed line.

This was decided after a report by Mr. David Collenette, Ontario's special advisor on high-speed rail, concluded the project has a positive business case.

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May
22

Ontario commits to Toronto - Windsor high-speed rail

The premier of Ontario Ms. Kathleen Wynne announced on May 19 that the province will move forward with plans to build Canada's first high-speed line.

This was decided after a report by Mr. David Collenette, Ontario's special advisor on high-speed rail, concluded the project has a positive business case.

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May
19

U.S. Rep. Womack visits Arkansas River Bridge

Rail News Home Short Lines & Regionals 5/19/2017 Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
Womack (left) chats with A&M Chairman Caren Kraska and Chief Engineer John Cummings.Photo –

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) late last week joined Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (A&M) representatives for a tour of the Arkansas River Bridge.

The lawmaker visited the structure as he traveled from Fort Smith to Rudy, Ark., on one of the railroad's excursion cars. Fort Smith city officials recently applied for a federal grant to repair and rehabilitate aging rail infrastructure, including the Arkansas River Bridge.

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May
19

CAGTC re-elects board directors

Rail News Home Railroading People 5/19/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) this week re-elected four board members and marked the organization's 16th anniversary.Re-elected to the board are John Creighton, co-chair of the Northwest Seaport Alliance; Kerry Cartwright, director of goods movement at the Port of Los Angeles; John Greuling, president and chief executive officer of Will County Center for Economic Development; and Bob Ledoux, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Florida East Coast Railway."CAGTC's leadership and membership continue to provide an important national voice advocating for the freight network's critical role supporting U.S. economic competitiveness in the global marketplace," said CAGTC Chairman Tim Lovain in a press release.Since its founding 16 years ago, CAGTC has supported the development of a multimodal freight-specific grant program that distributes money to projects on a competitive basis using economic criteria. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/19/2017

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May
19

Chao won't OK Caltrain electrification funding just yet

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 5/19/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
Chao plans to wait for Congress to approve all the needed funds.Photo – U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

Caltrain again finds itself in a catch-22 over federal funding for its electrification project. Earlier this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said she won't sign off on the full funding grant agreement for the project until Congress approves all the necessary funds, The Mercury News reported yesterday.

At a U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing Wednesday, Chao said she couldn't sign the funding agreement "if the funding is not there," according to the newspaper.

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May
19

Washington DOT to unveil Amtrak Cascades locomotive

Rail News Home Amtrak 5/19/2017 Rail News: Amtrak
The Siemens locomotive will be used on the Amtrak Cascades route.Photo – WSDOT's Flickr account

One of the new Amtrak Cascades locomotives will be displayed for public view for the first time in Seattle on May 21, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced yesterday.

The Siemens Charger locomotives will be on display at Seattle's King Street Station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able to view the exterior close up. Due to safety issues, the interior will not be open for tours, WSDOT officials said in a press release.

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May
19

UP slots $41 million for Wyoming infrastructure projects

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/19/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad this year will invest $41 million in its infrastructure in Wyoming. The railroad has slotted $38 million for track maintenance and $2.8 million for bridge maintenance, UP officials said yesterday in a press release.One key project involves replacing 68,579 ties and installing 21,967 tons of ballast on the rail line in eastern Goshen and Niobrara counties. That work is expected to cost $10 million.UP also has set aside $7 million to replace 58,382 ties and install nearly 39,375 tons of ballast between Wamsutter and Rock Springs.From 2012 to 2016, UP invested more than $243 million in Wyoming's transportation infrastructure, according to the railroad.The Class I in late March began unveiling its state-by-state infrastructure plans. Since then, UP has announced investment plans for rail improvements in Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/19/2017

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May
19

UP slots $41 million for Wyoming infrastructure projects

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 5/19/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad this year will invest $41 million in its infrastructure in Wyoming. The railroad has slotted $38 million for track maintenance and $2.8 million for bridge maintenance, UP officials said yesterday in a press release.One key project involves replacing 68,579 ties and installing 21,967 tons of ballast on the rail line in eastern Goshen and Niobrara counties. That work is expected to cost $10 million.UP also has set aside $7 million to replace 58,382 ties and install nearly 39,375 tons of ballast between Wamsutter and Rock Springs.From 2012 to 2016, UP invested more than $243 million in Wyoming's transportation infrastructure, according to the railroad.The Class I in late March began unveiling its state-by-state infrastructure plans. Since then, UP has announced investment plans for rail improvements in Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 5/19/2017

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May
19

KCSA begins first steps of transportation service expansion

The KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA), in coordination with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), is planning to expand transportation services.

KCSA and KCATA selected the team led by HDR to conduct a KC Streetcar Southern Extension study to assess multi- modal transportation needs. The KC Streetcar Southern Extension Technical Services will build upon the downtown streetcar service and will support work required to further develop and advance the southern extension towards the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC).

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May
19

KCSA begins first steps of transportation service expansion

The KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA), in coordination with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), is planning to expand transportation services.

KCSA and KCATA selected the team led by HDR to conduct a KC Streetcar Southern Extension study to assess multi- modal transportation needs. The KC Streetcar Southern Extension Technical Services will build upon the downtown streetcar service and will support work required to further develop and advance the southern extension towards the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC).

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