Railroad News

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

Michele Malski, 28

Job description: Malski’s role includes communications, strategic planning, new programs, project and grant management, and railroad outreach. She also develops training and education about components of safety culture.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial labor relations with a minor in law and society, Cornell University

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has agreed to purchase CH2M Hill Cos. Ltd. for $2.85 billion. The transaction is aimed at providing Jacobs a "leading position" and new expertise in the high-growth infrastructure and government services sectors, Jacobs officials said in a press release. In addition, Jacobs will be able to deliver more solutions to more clients by applying CH2M's advanced design, technical and program management expertise, company officials said. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of Jacobs' 2018 fiscal year.

Vertex Railcar Corp. has obtained an order for its 2480 CF aggregate car from a rail industry lessor. The lessor chose Vertex after visiting its facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. The deal marks the second time a rail lessor has chosen the company's aggregate car in recent months, Vertex officials said in a press release. In addition, another lessor has recently chosen Vertex's 7500CF wood chip car. Although Vertex didn't disclose the quantity of cars or terms of either order, company officials described both deals as "significant." The cars will begin shipping in early fall.

Amtrak and Lyft yesterday announced a new partnership aimed at helping riders complete the first- and last-mile segments of their journeys.

Passengers now can use the Amtrak mobile app to request a ride with the ride-sharing service. First-time Lyft users can receive a $5 credit on each of their first four rides with the service.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has begun evaluating ideas to modernize its business model and increase revenue.

The association's total number of members and yearly revenue have remained generally flat for more than 10 years, APTA Chair Doran Barnes wrote in his "Observations and Aspirations" newsletter.

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas, yesterday announced that Linda Watson will retire as the agency's president and chief executive officer by year's end.

She's held the position for more than seven years. Watson came to Austin from Orlando, Florida, where she served as leader of LYNX, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority.

Kevin O'Toole and Rick Cotton have joined leadership at the Port Authority of New York and Jersey (PANYNJ).

O'Toole will serve as chairman of the Board of Commissioners. O'Toole is the managing partner of O'Toole Scrivo Fernandez Weiner Van Lieu, LLC, and recently concluded a long career in the New Jersey Legislature. During his time in the legislature, Mr. O'Toole sponsored many pieces of legislation, including and the Transportation Trust Fund.

Kevin O'Toole and Rick Cotton have joined leadership at the Port Authority of New York and Jersey (PANYNJ).

O'Toole will serve as chairman of the Board of Commissioners. O'Toole is the managing partner of O'Toole Scrivo Fernandez Weiner Van Lieu, LLC, and recently concluded a long career in the New Jersey Legislature. During his time in the legislature, Mr. O'Toole sponsored many pieces of legislation, including and the Transportation Trust Fund.

Kevin O'Toole and Rick Cotton have joined leadership at the Port Authority of New York and Jersey (PANYNJ).

O'Toole will serve as chairman of the Board of Commissioners. O'Toole is the managing partner of O'Toole Scrivo Fernandez Weiner Van Lieu, LLC, and recently concluded a long career in the New Jersey Legislature. During his time in the legislature, Mr. O'Toole sponsored many pieces of legislation, including and the Transportation Trust Fund.