WASHINGTON — If you thought Federal Railroad Administration grant programs for things like passenger service, shortline track maintenance, and grade crossing elimination projects would be the least likely place to become a front in the culture wars, think again. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Jan. 29 issued a memo ordering Department of Transportation agencies to […]
NEW YORK — The agency overseeing construction of the new rail tunnel connecting New Jersey and Manhattan on Monday awarded a $1.8 billion contract for the connection on the tunnel’s New York side. NorthJersey.com reports that the Gateway Development Commission awarded the contract to a joint venture of Frontier, Kemper, Tutor, and Perini because of […]
WASHINGTON — Four House members have introduced a new version of the Railway Safety Act to mark the second anniversary of the East Palestine derailment that sparked the original legislation. U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) are sponsoring the new version of the bill, introduced on […]
BALTIMORE — CSX began the long-awaited Howard Street Tunnel clearance project on Saturday (Feb. 1), when the 8,700-foot tunnel was closed to allow crews to remove track as the first step in construction work. “This is a tremendous opportunity to alleviate a restriction on our network and open up new opportunities for CSX,” Ed Sparks, […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Agencies in California and Nevada have issued private activity bonds for the Brightline West project, a key element in funding the 218-mile high-speed rail venture between Las Vegas and Southern California. It is not clear whether the start of construction is contingent on obtaining money from the combined $2.5 billion in […]
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — A new lawsuit blames the East Palestine derailment and toxic-chemical release for seven deaths, including that of a week-old infant. The suit was announced Monday — two years after the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern derailment — by a trio of law firms on behalf of some 744 plaintiffs. It names […]
WASHINGTON — The potential impacts of tariffs on the North American economy, and its rail industry, have been deferred after the Trump administration and the governments of Canada and Mexico agreed to postpone tariffs that would have taken effect Tuesday, Feb. 4. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote in a post on X.com that his […]
WASHINGTON — The SMART-TD union has urged federal regulators to reject Union Pacific’s plan to lease nearly 28 miles of track in the Eugene, Ore., area to Genesee & Wyoming short line Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad. “This transaction raises significant concerns related to the region’s infrastructure, service quality, economic sustainability, and the broader impact […]
WASHINGTON — A New Jersey congressmen has introduced a bill first announced last summer that would require Amtrak to provide passengers with ticket refunds when trains are cancelled or delayed “due to a failure of Amtrak.” H.R. 769 was introduced by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) on Jan. 28 and sent to the House Committee […]
HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut legislator has introduced a bill that would require the state’s Department of Transportation to develop rail service to Bradley International Airport, the Hartford-area facility in Windsor Locks, Conn. General Assembly Bill 5061, introduced by state Rep. Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport), would require service from Hartford Union Station to the airport with […]
WASHINGTON — Legislation reintroduced in the House of Representatives seeks to encourage employer support by reestablishing a tax deduction for transportation fringe benefits. The Supporting Transit Commutes Act, introduced in January, has bipartisan backing, with sponsorship from U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) It reintroduces a bill, H.R. 9464, introduced by Auchincloss […]
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Seeing “significant opportunities to grow,” independent infrastructure manager Ancala and Arkadia Rail Partners have formed Phoenix Rail following the acquisition of short line rail company Lehigh Valley Rail Management. Terms were not disclosed. Lehigh Valley Rail Management owns and operates a 61-mile freight rail network and is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa., where […]
