Railroad News

Amtrak next week will begin running Empire Service trains to and from Grand Central Terminal in New York City as the railroad gears up for emergency repairs to Penn Station.

In coordination with the New York State Department of Transportation, Amtrak will provide six trains between Albany-Rensselaer and Grand Central during the renewal work period, which runs from July 10 through Sept. 1.

On Wednesday, Cummins Inc. executives, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, and other state and local leaders announced plans for a $30 million railroad overpass on State Road 46 in downtown Columbus, Indiana.

The overpass is necessary as CSX continues to advance about $100 million worth of upgrades to a line shared with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad between Louisville and Indianapolis, Cummins officials said in a press release. When the work is completed in mid- to late 2018, CSX expects to begin increasing the number, weight and length of trains on the line.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

Caltrain has awarded a $82.9 million contract for the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project to Oakland-based Shimmick/Disney Joint Venture.

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of San Mateo, will raise the tracks between State Route 92 and Hillsdale Boulevard and slightly lower the road at 25th Avenue in San Mateo. Caltrain says the grade separation will improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians and reduce local traffic congestion in San Mateo. In addition, the project will provide an opportunity to complete east-west street connections at 28th and 31st Avenues.

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $593 million to 124 transportation projects that it says will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

"These projects will help us maintain and modernize California's transportation system," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Each of these projects is an opportunity to improve safety, goods movement and access and mobility for all travelers in California."

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

AECOM is set to acquire Shimmick Construction. While the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, the companies expect to close in AECOM's fiscal fourth quarter.

AECOM says that Shimmick, "an established leader in the California and Western U.S. heavy civil construction market," has approximately 1,000 employees and a total backlog of approximately $1.35 billion that includes a wide portfolio of iconic infrastructure projects. Annually, AECOM says that Shimmick generates approximately $300 million of revenue and is responsible for put in place construction value1 of approximately $400 million. The enterprise value of the acquisition is $175 million and the transaction is expected to be accretive to AECOM's adjusted EPS upon closing.

Port Freeport has awarded a more than $21 million contract to Primoris Heavy Civil to build rail infrastructure at the southeastern Texas port.

Part of Primoris Services Corp., Primoris Heavy Civil will construct a rail spur and yard that includes 21,000 linear feet of track, as well as complete associated high-mast lighting, paving and drainage work. The rail spur will tie into a Union Pacific Railroad line and support an ongoing expansion at the port. Work is scheduled to start in the third quarter and conclude in second-quarter 2018.

The National Mediation Board (NMB) appointed Harry Hoglander chairman, effective July 1. He succeeds Linda Puchala, who will continue to serve as a board member.

An NMB member since August 2002, Hoglander previously was chairman in 2004-05, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2014-15. The chair serves a one-year term running from July 1 in a given year to June 30 in the succeeding year.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project was released July 6 and identifies a nearly $13-billion preferred alternative that would build a new rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $20 million for Caltrain's electrification project.

The project involves electrifying the commuter railroad's corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, California. It also includes the purchase of electric multiple units for operating the new service.

Building a new Hudson River rail tunnel between New York City and New Jersey could cost up to $12.9 billion, according to a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) released yesterday by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). That amount includes $1.8 billion to rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel.

The figure marks a jump from January, when Amtrak estimated the project would cost $7.7 billion. Nonetheless, the publication of the DEIS is a milestone in the clearance process before design or construction can begin, FRA officials said in a press release.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is offering free in-state commuter-rail trips through the remainder of 2017.

The move is aimed at raising awareness of the state's rail services and encouraging Rhode Islanders to choose trains over their cars, RIDOT officials said in a press release.

There's still time to nominate someone for the League of Railway Industry Women's (LRIW) 2017 Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the award is presented annually to a woman who has made significant contributions to the rail industry through leadership, dedication and vision. Women working in the North American rail industry are eligible to receive the award.