Terrorism/Security
Month: August 2006
Commuter Rail
Morning Red Line Service Disrupted Because of Suspicious Package
WASHINGTON – A suspicious package discovered around 9 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 9) on the tracks near the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue- Gallaudet U Metrorail station disrupted Red Line service for three hours just after the morning peak period. Normal Red Line service resumed at 12:10 p.m. Throughout the police investigation, Metro suspended train service between the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations, and established free shuttle bus service. More than 40 Metrobuses stopped at Rhode Island Avenue, New York Avenue, Union Station and Judiciary Square stations. Metro Transit Police, along with other law enforcement were called to investigate
Miscellaneous
Alaska Railroad to Issue Tax-Exempt Bonds
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) will issue tax-exempt bonds in this month to finance rail transportation projects. During the last legislative session, the Alaska Legislature voted unanimously to allow ARRC to issue up to $165 million in tax-exempt bonds backed by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formula funds that the Corporation receives annually. ARRC is moving forward with its first issuance of approximately $76 million in tax-exempt bonds in 2006 with the remaining debt to be issued in future years. “This is a historic moment for the Alaska Railroad and Alaskans,” said Governor Bill Sheffield, Chairman ARRC Board
Commuter Rail
Miami-Dade Transit to Receive Funding For Metrorail Expansion
MIAMI – Federal money will help pay for a Metrorail expansion from the Broward County line south and west to the Florida Turnpike and the FIU South Campus. The money – $2 million in the Senate Appropriations bill of the Fiscal Year 2007 and $1 million in the House bill – is earmarked for the “Orange Line” Metrorail expansion. “The Orange Line is critical to alleviating traffic congestion in Miami-Dade County,” said Transit Director Roosevelt Bradley. “Thanks to the efforts of Federal legislators we are one step closer to accomplishing this major project.” Miami-Dade County and Transit officials have
Terrorism/Security
Short Line/Regional
Appalachian and Ohio Rail Workers Approve First Contract as BMWED Teamsters
WASHINGTON – Track maintenance employees of the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad have unanimously approved their first contract as members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Union. This is the first union contract on the short line railroad since being sold by Watco Companies. “This contract will provide an immediate increase in wages,” said Randall Brassell, General Chairman of the BMWED’s Eastern Federation. “The contract language standardizes pay rates and gives employees access to a 401(k) plan. This is a good first contract.” The contract ratification vote took place Aug. 3 in Buckhannon, W.Va.
FRA
FRA Grant Supports Continued Development of Positive Train Control Technology
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration has given a $679,000 grant to the D.C.-based Railroad Research Foundation. The grant means an advanced train control system that can prevent train collisions, reduce the probability of speed-related derailments and protect on-track railroad workers is one step closer to being, the FRA said. The technology being developed will allow passenger trains to safely operate at 110 mph between Chicago and St. Louis in the same rail corridor as slower freight trains. The funding supports the ongoing activities of the North American Joint Positive Train Control Project, a collaborative effort between the FRA, the
Commuter Rail
MBTA Opens Rhode Island Layover Facility
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – MBTA this week opened its Pawtucket Layover Facility in Rhode Island, which officials say will improve rail service. The facility was a joint venture between MBTA and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and boasts a six-track commuter rail yard for the purpose of overnight storage of commuter rail equipment. “This state of the art facility is capable of housing more equipment, which means more service for our customers,” MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said. “Our mission is to preserve our customer base, while at the same time attract more customers.” Prior to opening the new
Commuter Rail
N.J. Transit to Begin Portal Bridge Replacement
NEWARK, N.J. – Plans to eliminate a major chokepoint and source of delays on the Northeast Corridor are underway thanks to action taken this week by the N.J. Transit Board of Directors to conduct environmental and related engineering work to rehabilitate or expand the 96-year-old Amtrak Portal Bridge. The Board awarded a $3.3 million contract to New York-based AKRF Inc. to determine how best to increase rail capacity at the two-track swing bridge, which carries the Northeast Corridor (NEC) over the Hackensack River just west of Secaucus Junction. “Today’s action is another example of this Board’s commitment to take meaningful
World
Trinity Industries Sells European Rail Business
DALLAS – Trinity Industries Inc. has completed the sale of the company’s European Rail business to International Railway Systems S.A. The European Rail business was sold for $30 million plus working capital as defined in the sale agreement and the assumption of leases with obligations totaling approximately $6 million. The financial impact of the transaction will be recorded in the company’s third quarter ending Sept. 30, 2006. The company does not expect a material financial impact to be recorded as a result of the transaction. Trinity Industries, headquartered in Dallas, is one of the nation’s leading diversified industrial companies. Trinity