Regulatory

Joining BNSF and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) in expressing their concerns about the proposed Union Pacific (UP)-Norfolk Southern (NS) merger, CN recently launched a page on its website encouraging…

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Oct. 30 reported reaching three “key” milestones for the Penn Station New York “Transformation” Project, “keeping construction on track to break ground by…

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Oct. 1 released a report that “urged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to act immediately to eliminate fire risks in its fleet of…

Engineering Systems Inc. (ESi), a global forensic engineering and scientific investigation firm, has appointed Matthew Dick, PE, as Head of Rail Strategy and Development, strengthening its commitment to the growing…

WATCHING WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 2025 ISSUE: Perhaps the gutsiest-ever regulatory agency decision was the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) 2001 imposition of a railroad merger moratorium. Its architect was then-STB Chairperson Linda…

Francis Patrick (Frank) Mulvey, a Democrat who served on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) from May 2004 to December 2013, died Oct. 18 at 81. Among just six Ph.D. economists…

An Oct. 30 letter to the Surface Transportation Board co-authored by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) asks the STB to “closely scrutinize” the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern…

To express its concerns about the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has established a page on its website stating its case against the possible combination…

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is updating the Idaho Statewide Rail Plan and is asking for public input to help guide the future of rail infrastructure across the state.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on Oct. 25 celebrated the opening of its 26-mile (double-tracked), 10-station Silver Line, a regional rail service connecting seven North Texas cities (Plano, Richardson, Dallas,…

The METRO Green Line Extension in Minneapolis marks a milestone. Also, final testing is under way for Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension in Seattle and is complete for Metrolinx’s…

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on Oct. 23 approved the receipt of $850 million in Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF)-funded bond capacity to the MBTA from a…

With an STB merger filing for acquiring Norfolk Southern targeted for no later than Dec. 1, Union Pacific posted a solid third-quarter 2025, showing “strong operating income growth driven by…

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) on Oct. 16 sent a letter to POTUS 47 signed by 40 chief executives of member companies, all of which are railroad customers, expressing “strong…

Pinsly Railroad Company President and CEO Ryan Ratledge joins the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). Also, Anna Lynn Smith rejoins HDR as Intercity and High-Speed Rail…

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Oct. 20 approved $4.9 billion to improve safety and mobility on local streets and state highways, as well as fund new alternative transportation options…

Metra earlier this month unveiled a $1.1 billion budget for 2026 that it said includes “an RTA-mandated fare increase and other measures to cover a projected $68 million shortfall, but…

Nearly 300 professionals from freight and passenger railroads, industry suppliers and consultants, universities, and research organizations gathered in Pueblo, Colo., earlier this month for the Third Annual TTC Conference &…

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Pinsly Railroad Company on Oct. 16 reported that its ninth short line, Georgiana & Andalusia Railroad LLC, has assumed operations in southern Alabama. The 36-mile line, formerly operated by Genesee &…

Oculus Rail, a Virginia-based transportation technology company, on Oct. 16 announced its official national launch following a successful multi-city pilot across Hampton Roads.