Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
July 9, 2024
Biden-Harris Administration Makes More than $1.1 Billion Available to Strengthen Safety at Rail Crossings and Reduce Blocked Crossing
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available over $1.1 billion in
Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funding. As the only competitive discretionary
grant program dedicated to improving railroad crossings’ safety and efficiency, the RCE Program
invests in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade
crossings where roads and train tracks intersect
July 8, 2024
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $11 Billion in Grants and Financing for Nation’s Most Complex Infrastructure Project, the Hudson River Tunnel
Today, one of the largest infrastructure projects in American history took a huge step forward with billions of dollars in support from the Biden-Harris Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Hudson River Tunnel project will construct a critical new rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey along a vital economic corridor – just one area of focus for investment across the country as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $66 billion investment in passenger rail. It represents the largest project in the history of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
July 8, 2024
MBTA Achieves Historic Labor Agreements with Entire Workforce
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has reached a landmark achievement by successfully negotiating agreements with all 28 of its affiliated labor unions, representing 16 collective bargaining agreements. This accomplishment, the first of its kind since 2009, was realized within 18 months of the Healey-Driscoll Administration taking office and under the leadership of MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng.
July 8, 2024
Weekly Rail Traffic for June and the Week Ending June 29, 2024
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 29, 2024, as well as volumes for June 2024. U.S. railroads originated 885,864 carloads in June 2024, down 1.7 percent, or 15,019 carloads, from June 2023. U.S. railroads also originated 1,074,646 containers and trailers in June 2024, up 8.7 percent, or 85,896 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in June 2024 were 1,960,510, up 3.8 percent, or 70,877 carloads and intermodal units from June 2023.
July 3, 2024
Amtrak Adds 33 More Weekly Northeast Regional Stops at Newark Liberty International Airport
Amtrak has increased Northeast Regional service at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) after a review of its schedules to better align with customer demand across the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and airline travel schedules.
July 3, 2024
Amtrak Improves Ethan Allen Express with Faster Trips
Amtrak, in conjunction with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the Vermont Railway (VRS), has made operational improvements in its Ethan Allen Express service.
July 2, 2024
Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Are Executing Joint Plan to Accelerate Investigations of Disruptions and Improve Reliability Between New Jersey and New York
Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT have been accelerating examination, inspection, maintenance, and improvement activities to a variety of infrastructure and fleet systems following a recent spike in Northeast Corridor (NEC) disruptions in New Jersey and New York Penn Station.
July 1, 2024
SEPTA Board Approves Fiscal Year 2025 Operating & Capital Budgets:
SEPTA’s Board approved Operating and Capital Budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2025, advancing plans to fund everyday operations and major improvement projects. SEPTA’s total budget is $2.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2025 – a $1.74 billion Operating Budget and $924 million Capital Budget.
June 28, 2024
CSX Unveils New Heritage Locomotive Honoring the Georgia Railroad
CSX has unveiled a new heritage locomotive honoring the legacy of the Georgia Railroad. This initiative is part of CSX’s ongoing efforts to recognize and pay tribute to the historic railroads that have played a pivotal role in shaping the American railway system.
June 28, 2024
SEPTA Board Approves Contract for Wayfinding Signage
SEPTA will advance its SEPTA Metro Wayfinding program under a contract approved by the SEPTA Board, representing a bold new customer experience strategy for the agency. The vote allows SEPTA to move forward with a construction contract for Nova Industries LLC to design, fabricate and install new signage and wayfinding for 27 stations on the Broad Street Line [B] and in Center City.
