Railroad News

New Jersey Transit and the borough of Matawan are seeking developers and builders interested in bidding on a 7-acre mixed-used, transit-oriented development (TOD) project adjacent to the Aberdeen-Matawan rail station.

The project's goal is to combine moderate- to high-density residential units with retail, office and community spaces to create a walkable community with easy access to regional amenities and destinations via rail service, according to a NJ Transit press release.

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) announced yesterday it posted the strongest March in its history and more than 11 percent fiscal year-over-year growth.

SCPA moved 214,123 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in March, making it the second highest month in SCPA history, port authority officials said in a press release.

Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) entire rail system is now equipped with high-definition (HD) cameras, CTA President Dorval Carter and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced yesterday. 

The installation of 1,000 HD surveillance cameras throughout the Red and Blue line subway stations marked competition of a project to install the cameras throughout the entire rail system, according to a CTA press release.

Investment management firm 3i Group announced this week it has invested in Regional Rail LLC, an owner and operator of short lines in the Mid-Atlantic states.

Regional Rail will represent 3i's third infrastructure investment in North American since 2017, and will serve as the firm's rail infrastructure platform for future investment in the sector, 3i officials said in a press release.

The branding transition from Brightline to Virgin Trains USA took a major step forward yesterday with the unveiling of Virgin MiamiCentral, the new rail station in downtown Miami.

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson joined Virgin Trains USA President Patrick Goddard, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Chair Esteban Bovo Jr. and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez at a ceremony to mark the occasion. Virgin MiamiCentral will serve as a "hub for transportation, business, dining and entertainment" in downtown Miami, Virgin Trains USA officials said in a press release.

Amtrak has reached a master development agreement with Penn Station Partners to redevelop and expand Baltimore Penn Station, the railroad announced yesterday.

Under the agreement, Amtrak will invest up to $90 million on station improvements to accommodate an increase in passengers and to improve their experience at the station, according to an Amtrak press release.

U. S. Rail Holdings late last month filed two new motions with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to stop an out-of-service Nickel Plate Railroad corridor in Indiana from being converted into a recreational trail. U. S. Rail wants to reactivate rail service on the line. 

In December 2018, the STB authorized three Notices of Interim Trail Use to the cities of Fishers and Noblesville, and Hamilton County, Indiana, to pursue rail banking on three connected portions of a 37-mile rail line, according to the filed motion. 

The Saint-Laurent Council in Montreal earlier this week asked the Montreal Agglomeration Council and Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund to modify its original Reseau metropolitan express (REM) light-rail concept in order to build an extension between the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport-based station and the VIA Rail Canada Inc. and Exo intermodal stations.

The REM project would consist of a high-frequency autonomous, electric light-rail transit system between the airport, downtown Montreal as well as interconnections within the Montreal metro system. It will include 26 stations. 

New York state lawmakers early this week approved a fiscal-year 2020 state budget plan that calls for Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reforms, and includes a "congestion pricing" program that would provide a new source of revenue to the transit agency.

Under congestion pricing, motorists will be charged a toll entering the city's most congested streets. The goal of the charge is to help reduce traffic congestion, while generating revenue for MTA.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) yesterday issued its 2020-2024 Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Plan, which calls for more than $250 million in funding to help local communities and railroads pay for safety improvements at hundreds of locations.

The plan proposes funding from the state's Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to help cover the cost of 17 highway-rail bridge projects, four pedestrian rail bridge projects, 253 grade crossing warning device projects and low-cost improvements at 500 crossing locations, ICC officials said in a press release.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) officials yesterday marked the completion of a $172 million rail maintenance facility in the Southwestern Yard that will serve the future Crenshaw/LAX light-rail line near Los Angles International Airport.

Light-rail vehicles will be maintained and inspected at the 115,000-square-foot facility. Other work to be performed there includes body repairs, painting, storage, cleaning and washing. 

U.S. rail traffic continued its slump in March, falling 5.2 percent to 2,022,934 carloads and intermodal units compared with volumes in March 2018, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

U.S. carload volume for the month dipped 8.9 percent to 957,144 units versus a year ago, while intermodal levels dipped 1.5 percent to 1,065,790 containers and trailers.

SNC-Lavalin subsidiary TransitNEXT has secured a $663 million deal with the city of Ottawa to design, build and finance the Trillium light-rail extension project, which will extend the route from the Greenboro Station to a new terminal west of Limebank Road in Ottawa, Ontario. SNC-Lavalin will maintain the new extension, as well as assume responsibility for long-term maintenance of the existing Trillium Line, according to a companty press release. Construction of the extension will be completed in 2022.

SYSTRA has been selected by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority to lead the transit technology evaluation component of Project Connect, according to a press release. Project Connect includes short-term enhancement projects and investments into a high-capacity transit system serving the Austin, Texas, community. SYSTRA will also lead system integration, testing and commissioning in later phases of the project.

The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) has presented a coalition of six U.S. senators with the Golden Spike Award for their efforts to save the Amtrak Southwest Chief corridor, the association announced yesterday.

The award was presented to U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.).

Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is soliciting public input on rail and other transportation projects that have been recommended for funding.

CTB will host nine meetings in April and May, according to a CTB press release. Community members may participate by attending the public meetings or submitting comments online, by email or mail.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has posthumously recognized the late Steve Cernak with the Distinguished Service Award.

Cernak was chief executive officer and director of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He died last month after fighting pancreatic cancer. He was 63.

The Reading & Northern Railroad announced yesterday the promotions of Daren Geschwindt to vice president of distribution services and Dustin Berndt to vice president of motive power.

Berndt joined the Port Clinton, Pennsylvania-based railroad in 2000, when he started in the locomotive shop. In 2012, he was named assistant VP of motive power in recognition for his work to improve the locomotive fleet. Along with the engine house crew, Berndt ensures the safety and efficiency of the fleet, according to a company press release.