Railroad News

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) announced yesterday that its project to acquire a fleet of MPM-10 Azur subway trains is in the running to win the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) International Project of the Year award.

STM is one of the three finalists for the award, which recognizes excellence in project management, STM officials said in a press release. 

Metra on Sept. 4 will host its On Track to Success vendor fair to offer workshops on upcoming engineering projects and networking opportunities for Chicago vendors. 

Attendees will be able to meet and speak with prime contractors, subcontractors, community organizations and other transportation agencies, as well as register as a Metra vendor, Metra officials said in a press release.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx earlier this week announced the agency has selected Mobilinx to design, build and finance the Hurontario light-rail project between Mississaugu and Brampton, Ontario, as well as operate and maintain the system.

IO and Metrolinx expect to award the contract in fall, with design work to begin shortly after, IO officials said in a press release. 

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is praising Phoenix voters who yesterday supported the city's continued investment in light-rail expansion.

"Congratulations to the forward-thinking residents of Phoenix, who voted to ensure that their light rail system can expand to better serve the transit needs of a rapidly growing city looking to the future," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas in a press release.

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) last week announced that starting Sept. 7 it will add Saturday service to the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter rail. 

Currently, ACE serves riders Monday to Friday from Stockton to San Jose, California, with 10 stops along the way. 

Chicago commuter railroad Metra and Union Pacific Railroad have agreed to cancel a previously announced schedule change on the UP West line, which would have adjusted departure times of some trains on the line by Sept. 3. 

UP determined that the proposed changes on UP West could result in conflicts between commuter and freight trains along the busy rail corridor, Metra officials said in a press release.

Chicago commuter railroad Metra and Union Pacific Railroad have agreed to cancel a previously announced schedule change on the UP West line, which would have adjusted departure times of some trains on the line by Sept. 3. 

UP determined that the proposed changes on UP West could result in conflicts between commuter and freight trains along the busy rail corridor, Metra officials said in a press release.

Canadian, Ontario and Toronto government officials yesterday announced a nearly CA$1.1 billion total investment in two rail projects in Toronto. 

One project calls for improving capacity at Bloor-Yonge Station, the Toronto Transit Commission’s busiest subway station. The CA$500 million project includes construction of an additional platform at the station and an electrical substation, as well as modifications to an existing platform, federal government officials said in a press release.

CSX Corp. today announced that Adam Longson will join the sales and marketing team as vice president of energy, effective Sept. 9. 

Longson will be responsible for CSX’s newly consolidated energy portfolio, including export and domestic utility coal, as well as the company’s liquefied petroleum gas and crude oil businesses, CSX officials said in a press release. 

Global infrastructure investor First State Investments (FSI) announced yesterday it reached an agreement with investment manager Steel River Infrastructure Partners to acquire 100 percent of equity of Patriot Rail and Ports, which operates 12 short lines across 14 states.

Terms were not disclosed, according to an FSI press release.

Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) board last week approved an updated plan for the proposed Irvington Station to be located between the Fremont and Warm Springs stations in Fremont, California. 

The original proposal raised community concerns over traffic safety, congestion and parking near residential streets. As a result, BART updated the plan, which calls for a smaller, more cost-effective station, BART officials said in a press release. 

The Port Authority of Allegheny County today reopened Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington Transit Tunnel, which has been closed for a month to accommodate light-rail track replacement. 

Michael Facchiano Contracting crews replaced 480 feet of track and concrete in the tunnel, authority officials said in a press release. 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) late last week expressed alarm about the Trump administration's escalating trade dispute with China, and the impact the tariffs could have on retail sales and the U.S. economy.

NRF issued its response soon after the administration announced Aug. 23 that current tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods will increase from 25 percent to 30 percent on Oct. 1. New tariffs set to take effect Sept. 1 and Dec. 15 on $300 billion in Chinese goods will rise from 10 percent to 15 percent.