Biden’s FY25 Budget Request: Increased Funding for Public Transit, Passenger Rail

President Joe Biden on March 11 released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget request, outlining his Administration’s priorities for the next year. It proposes increased funding for public transit and passenger rail,

“We’re investing in the Port of Thunder Bay to redevelop the marshalling yard and increase cargo handling capabilities, to boost Canada’s competitiveness,” said Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez.

Transport Canada: C$9.8MM for Rail Safety in Quebec

Transport Canada on March 13 announced that it has prioritized investments of C$9.8 million for more than 70 projects across Quebec through the Rail Safety Improvement Program, including a C$472,679 project in Saint-Lazare for fencing off a section of rail in the Legault Road area.

Aerial photograph of derailment site, courtesy of the NTSB.

Reports: NS to Cover East Palestine Cleanup, Face Residents’ Lawsuits

Following the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern (NS) derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, judges have found the Class I “alone will be responsible for paying for the cleanup,” according to the Associated

W&LE Carey, Ohio, rail yard next to National Lime and Stone Company. (Scott Young Photograph, Courtesy of W&LE)

2024 REGIONAL OF THE YEAR: W&LE

RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2024 ISSUE: Customer dedication is key to this regional’s success.

Railway Age’s 2024 Short Line Railroad of the Year is Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE). (Chip Haffner Photograph, Courtesy of MSE)

2024 SHORT LINE OF THE YEAR: MSE

RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2024 ISSUE: After more than 100 years, MSE continues to lead the way in its commitment to safety, growth and community outreach.

New York MTA officials were joined by “Equity in Infrastructure Project” (EIP) founders Phillip A. Washington and John D. Porcari, and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., who also serves as EIP Chair, to sign the EIP pledge on March 7. (New York MTA Photograph).

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SacRT, Metrolink, WMATA, NJT, Houston Metro

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) signs the “Equity in Infrastructure Project” Pledge. Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is developing mobility hubs at three light rail stations; Southern California’s Metrolink extends its fare-free pilot program for students; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) marks improvements in ridership, customer satisfaction, public safety and fare collection while reducing expenses; New Jersey Transit (NJT) expands its partnership with Comcast Business; and Houston Metro (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.) selects Copperleaf to help improve asset management.

Photo by BNSF team member Bryan Echols, who helped ensure the wind blade got to its destination safely.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, NS

BNSF makes history by moving the largest wind blade ever transported by train in North America. Also, CSX brings its locomotive simulator to the World of Nations event in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Coastal Division Maintenance of Way & Structures (MW&S) team celebrates two years injury-free.

RailPulse, Nexxiot Team on Telemetry

Nexxiot has signed an agreement allowing RailPulse™—the coalition established in late 2020 to “facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American railcar network”—to act as a

“We’re investing in the Port of Thunder Bay to redevelop the marshalling yard and increase cargo handling capabilities, to boost Canada’s competitiveness,” said Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez.

Transport Canada to Invest More Than C$13.5MM Through Rail Safety Improvement Program

Transport Canada on March 7 announced an investment of more than C$13.5 million to support 112 projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas and other regions in Ontario, through the Rail Safety Improvement Program.

K. Jane Williams (left) and Cheryl Walker are each serving as National Practice Consultant and Vice President in the HNTB’s Advisory practice.

Williams, Walker Join HNTB Advisory Practice

Former Acting Federal Transit Administrator K. Jane Williams and former Federal Highway Administration leader Cheryl Walker have been appointed policy advisors at HNTB, an infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors.

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