FRA

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Amtrak

Feds Award More than $74 Million to Further Development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor in Virginia

September 20, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The federal government has awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C. and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service, according to the feds. “The Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Charlotte and Washington D.C. serves one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is why it is critical to eliminate congestion points so that intercity passenger, freight and commuter rail can all run smoothly without delays,” U.S.

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FRA

Federal Railroad Administration, OSHA Sign Agreement to Protect Railroad Workers from Retaliation

July 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed an agreement to improve coordination between the two agencies in enforcing the whistleblower provision of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA). The FRSA protects employees from retaliation when they report safety violations to the government or report work-related personal injuries or illnesses. “Safety is our highest priority and this agreement is an important step in providing protections for those who report unsafe conditions,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo. “Establishing a formal process for safeguarding the rights

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Commuter Rail

FRA Administrator Szabo Joins Portland Officials to Review Portland-Seattle Train Project

March 18, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

PORTLAND, Ore. – Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo on March 16 joined local officials at Union Station to celebrate the Pacific Northwest Passenger Rail Corridor construction project in Portland. Through the High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program (HSIPR), the U.S. Department of Transportation has invested $814 million to pay for upgrades to one of the busiest intercity passenger rail corridors in the nation, which runs between Vancouver, BC, and Eugene, OR.  The upgrades are essential, as the number of roundtrips between Portland and Seattle is expected to increase by 50 percent in just five years. “All across the country,

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FRA

FRA Proposes Rule Establishing Training Standards for Railroad Employees

February 8, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Feb. 7 announced a proposal to require railroads to train and qualify employees in safety-related positions on federal railroad safety laws, regulations and orders. “Safety is our highest priority and we will continue to work to create a safer operating environment for employees, passengers and communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We have made dramatic progress in improving safety, but there is always more we can do to reduce incidents.” The proposed rule would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications