Transit Briefs: MBTA, OCTA
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes critical track work on the Orange Line. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) seeks public input on its 2024 OC Transit Vision Master Plan.
Author: Carolina Worrell
BNSF Honors Four State DOTs for Grade Crossing Safety
BNSF on July 1 announced that it is honoring four state Departments of Transportation (DOT) in Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming with the inaugural “Tracking to Zero” awards for their “dedication to improving crossing safety in their communities,” a first-of-its kind initiative to reduce grade crossing incidents across the Class I’s 32,500-mile network.
FTA: $1.94MM for Research to Improve the Transit Customer Experience
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 1 announced that $1.94 million in competitive grant funding is now available to support research conducted by providers of public transportation under the Enhancing Mobility Innovation (EMI) program, which “supports research projects that will improve customer convenience, such as creating easier ways to pay for transit and enhancing transit schedules based on rider demand.”
Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, UP, CPKC, CN, BNSF
CSX is honored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for “exceptional support” of military employees. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) highlights Thriving Communities grant recipient Citi Fields; Union Pacific (UP) releases a video of the Big Boy heading westward; Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is named the Most Sustainable Company in the Transportation Industry by World Finance; CN opens the protective enclosure for its 2747 locomotive in Rotary Park, Winnipeg, and congratulates its transportation service partner TransX Group of Companies for winning the 2023 Hershey Carrier Award; and BNSF celebrates its Montana employees and welcomes former Montana Rail Link employees with the Employee Appreciation (EAS) train ride.
Miner Celebrates 40 Years of AggreGate® Ballast Discharge Systems
Miner Enterprises, Inc. (Miner) on July 1 announced that it is celebrating 40 years of “proven, reliable and advanced” maintenance-of-way (m/w) discharge solutions in its Miner AggreGate® line of ballast outlet gates, control systems and accessories.
Bechtel Tapped to Provide Construction Management for BART Silicon Valley Extension
Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation (Bechtel) on June 28 announced that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation (VTA) has selected the company to provide construction management services for the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Silicon
Transit Briefs: Govt. of Canada/Govt. of Quebec, Amtrak/NJ Transit, TransLink, MTA (Maryland)
The governments of Canada and Quebec invest C$163.5 million to plan a structuring public transit project in Gatineau. Also, Amtrak and NJ Transit execute a joint plan to “accelerate investigations of disruptions and improve reliability” between New York and New Jersey; TransLink releases a corporate cost-cutting plan to address its funding gap; and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s administration moves forward with plans for a new light rail project in Baltimore.
People News: R.J. Corman, RailPros, GPA
R.J. Corman Railroad Group appoints Alín Campián as Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Also, RailPros hires Kyle D’Souza as Vice President, Corporate Development; and Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) appoints Flavio Batista as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Rob Dooley as CFO.
Cattron Introduces L-Stop Locomotive Stop System
Cattron, a manufacturer of wireless control systems for safety and mission-critical applications, announced on June 25 the introduction of its new L-Stop locomotive stop system.
WisDOT: $4.8MM for Freight Rail Improvement Projects
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on June 24 announced nearly $5 million to improve freight rail at facilities in Luxemburg, Reedsburg and Wrightstown.