Bill Not Likely To Become Law, But Does Declare A Priority For Biden Infrastructure Focus.
Representative Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act on March 11, which calls for investing $205 billion federal dollars into high-speed rail spread over 5 years ($41 billion a year). Representatives Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Mike Doyle (PA-18) joined Moulton as original sponsors of the bill. Moulton is introducing the bill to influence the upcoming […]
11.February, Darien CT – Genesee & Wyoming Inc. implemented 45 new industrial development projects in 2020, representing $1.6 billion in customer investments, and estimated to add more than 800 new jobs in communities served by G&W railroads. Highlights of the 2020 wins by G&W-owned railroads include new facilities for shipping automobiles in Fort Wayne IN, […]
TRACK CREWS CONTINUE TO MAKE GAINS OVER THE LENGTH OF THE PATRIOT CORRIDOR.
09.February, North Adams MA – PAR track crews are working into Winter to raise sustained track speeds along the PAS Patriot Corridor. For the first time in years, the current timetable bulletin DOES NOT include the Hoosac Tunnel, authorizing trains to run through the storied bore at the 25 mph timetable maximum. Slow orders also […]
REBUILT TUNNEL WITHSTANDS HEAVY RAIN AND SNOWMELT, BUT WEST PORTAL EXTERNAL RETAINING WALL LETS GO. SERVICE RESTORED NEXT DAY.
26.December, North Adams MA – At 08:45 hours during a daily track inspection, the track outside of the west portal of the Hoosac Tunnel was discovered to be blocked by mud and fallen trees. The deposited material dammed-up natural water drainage from the tunnel, submersing the tracks some tens of yards into the tunnel’s west […]
09.December, Montpelier VT – Vermont Agency of Transportation Rail & Aviation Director Dan Delabruere updated the Vermont Rail Council on the extension of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen route to Burlington. The project remains on schedule and the train is expected to begin early in 2022. “We had some CoVid delays, contractor issues, but not that bad. […]
MADOT UNVEILS "PATRIOT CORRIDOR DOUBLE-STACK CLEARANCE PROJECT" TO TACKLE 23 HEIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS ON PAS, TO QUALIFY ROUTE AS A LAND BRIDGE.
Patriot Corridor Survey In 2012, USDOT allocated $16.9 million for 12 projects nationwide designed to relocate, replace or improve segments of track. The funds were distributed through the FRA Rail Line Relocation and Improvement grant program. Of those funds, MADOT received $2 million for the Patriot Corridor double-stack clearance initiative, to conduct a 360º laser clearance […]
MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRIAL RAIL ACCESS PROGRAM GENERATES RECORD $7 MILLION FREIGHT RAIL DEVELOPMENT, DESPITE PANDEMIC-REDUCED STATE CONTRIBUTION.
As with every state in the Year of the Coronavirus, Massachusetts’ coffers are drastically lower than anticipated at the beginning of 2020. In line with all Massachusetts government agencies confronted by the state’s pandemic budget deficit, the 2020 IRAP VIII program reduced its grant budget by 11% compared to 2019. But thanks in part to […]
Funds for major Norwalk River and Connecticut River projects on Metro-North and Amtrak
27, October-Washington DC–Two major bridge replacements in Connecticut will get USDOT ‘State of Good Repair’ grants, announced Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, replacing the Norwalk (“walk”) bridge on Metro-North and the Connecticut River bridge on Amtrak between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme. Both movable bridges are long-time priorities, prone to malfunction and their replacement will mean […]
A quick-moving thunderstorm packing winds up to 75mph blew through Western Massachusetts the afternoon of October 7th, blowing off the roof of the East Deerfield roundhouse and at least 100 trees over the right of way of Pan-Am Southern.
Beginning in July 2020, the South Carolina-based company, Rotor Blade LLC, began a 190-mile project along the New England Central Railroad (NECR) mainline at East Northfield, MA, that will reduce the number of overhanging trees on the railroad right-of-way. Amtrak has spent $1.2 million for the work that includes the aerial cutting by Rotor Blade […]
