David C. Lester

ATLANTA & JACKSONVILLE –– Both Norfolk Southern and CSX are monitoring the progress of Hurricane Milton. The latest advisory from each railroad is below.

INDIANAPOLIS – Ports of Indiana has launched a new business venture called “Indiana River & Rail Terminals,” the largest general cargo operation on the Ohio River. The business will manage all the general cargo facilities at the Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon ports, including six docks, six warehouses, multiple rail transload facilities, and logistics services for more than 40 existing customers within the ports’ 2,200 acres of land.

NOVI, Mich. –– The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) announced this week that members have ratified an agreement with Norfolk Southern but have yet to ratify an agreement with CSX.

SAN FRANCISCO –– The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA or MUNI) is about to embark on a project to replace the floppy disk-driven computer system that was installed in 1998.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amtrak has been awarded nearly $126 million from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) competitive grant program. Many Amtrak partners also received funding that will improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of Amtrak service and support the expansion of intercity passenger rail.

PHILADELPHIA –– SEPTA has reached a tentative deal with the union to avoid a strike.

This storm damage on MTA is representative of the type of damage from tropical storms and hurricanes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio ––The Ohio Rail Development Commission (Rail Commission) announced this week that five Ohio rail projects will move forward thanks to a mix of federal, state, local, and private funding.

BRITISH COLUMBIA and MONTREAL –– A lockout on western Canadian ports. A strike on two eastern Candian ports. Not a good situation for early November.

PETALUMA, Calif. –– The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is pleased to announce an $81 million award from the State of California to extend passenger rail service to communities in northern Sonoma County.