No injuries reported as CSX train derails in Nashville
Sixteen cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed early this morning in Nashville, Tenn., leading to a brief shelter-in-place order from authorities until it was determined there was no hazardous-material threat. A statement from CSX reports the derailment occurred about 3:07 a.m. CDT near West Due Avenue, and no injuries, leaks or spills resulted. Ten of the cars involved were empty; five carried wood and paper products. The remaining car was carrying ethanol, and CSX says it will secure and remove the contents of his car as safely and swiftly as possible. Photographs from the scene show at least one locomotive also derailed. The cause is under investigation. The Nashville Fire Department, which initially responded and issued the shelter-in-place order, released the scene to CSX shortly before 6 a.m.
Contractor on Sound Transit light rail project ordered to pay more than $800,000 in wages, fines
A contractor on a Seattle-area light rail project has been ordered to pay more than $800,000 in unpaid wages, fines and interest by a Washington state agency. The state Department of Labor & Industries has cited Penhall Co. for failing to pay appropriate wages and overtime to 37 workers on Sound Transit’s East Link Extension light rail project. The workers are owed almost $650,000, with one work alone owed nearly $100,000, according to an agency press release. The remainder, more than $150,000, includes fines for failing to pay the prevailing wage and filing falsified certified payment reports. The agency says it is the largest citation it has issued in recent years under its prevailing wage program, and that Penhall is appealing.
Virginia governor signs legislation for passenger station authority
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed legislation to create the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority, which will allow local governments and colleges to share the cost of building a new station in Christiansburg, Va., for expansion of Amtrak service [see “Digest: Transport Canada issues updated rules …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 23, 2021 ]. The Roanoke Times reports the budget passed by the state’s General Assembly includes $38.5 million to support the expanded service, although it is estimated startup costs will exceed $200 million. The state and Norfolk Southern remain in negotiations over the service.
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