South Dakota to consider eliminating state Railroad Board

Logo of the South Dakota Department of Transportation

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s governor is proposing legislation that would fold the state’s Railroad Board and two other commissions into a single organization addressing all transportation matters. KELO-TV reports state Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt outlined the proposal from Gov. Larry Rhoden’s administration at the Dec. 17 meeting of the Railroad Board. It would fold […]

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MBTA narrows field of potential commuter rail operators to three

BOSTON — Three consortia have been shortlisted as the most qualified to submit proposals to operate the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail system, the MBTA announced today. Current contract operator Keolis, whose contract expires on June 30, 2027, is part of one of the three teams selected, based on a Request for Qualifications issued […]

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Increase in platform barriers part of ongoing safety efforts in New York subways

Fencing on edge of subway station platform

NEW YORK — Platform barriers have now been installed at 115 subway stations, and installation of brighter LED lighting in all 472 stations is to be completed by the end of the year, New York City and state officials said at a press conference today addressing progress in reducing subway crime. At the event, featuring […]

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Rail regulation bill advances in Pennsylvania legislature

The pennsylvania state seal

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A bill including a limit on freight train lengths and a prohibition on blocking grade crossings for more than five minutes has advanced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. HB 1191, sponsored by state Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver, Pa.) passed the Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee of the House by a 23-3 […]

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Colorado steel mill halts rail shipments to BNSF and UP

BNSF Railway and Union Pacific have filed lawsuits against North America’s largest producer of rail, arguing that Orion Steel’s Rocky Mountain Steel Mills broke long-term supply deals by refusing to ship more rail unless the railroads agree to price increases of more than 50%. The railroads say Rocky Mountain’s halt in rail shipments threatens safety […]

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Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to file merger application on Friday

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will file their merger application with federal regulators on Friday, the railroads said today. The document, which will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, will allow the railroads to show how their combination will deliver economic benefits, enhance competition, and protect union jobs, the railroads said. […]

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Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern offers to buy rail lines from South Dakota

Map of South Dakota showing Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad and other rail lines

PIERRE, S.D. — Genesee & Wyoming’s Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad is proposing to buy two sections of state-owned rail lines totaling 19.5 miles from the state of South Dakota. At a Dec. 17 meeting of the state Railroad Board and Railroad Authority, the RCP&E proposed to pay $3.125 million for 4.2 miles of […]

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Union Pacific to develop industrial park near Houston

Map of available proporty at new industrial park near Rosenberg, Texas

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has announced plans to develop a 2,000-acre industrial park outside Houston that will feature 1,300 acres of rail-served land. The Mainline Texas Industrial Park is just west of Rosenberg, Texas, and about 40 miles southwest of downtown Houston. It will be bordered on one side by the main line of […]

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Amtrak Inspector General assesses company work on Hudson Tunnel Project

Construction work in Hudson Yards area of Manhattan

WASHINGTON — Improvement of communications with project partners and within the company could help Amtrak reduce risks in its role in the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project, as could better management of project documents, the Amtrak Office of Inspector General says in a report issued today (Dec. 17). The report did find that the company […]

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