Hanson Professional Services
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R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates
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Road & Rail Services
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NRC Toolbox Talks
A version is available in PDF format as well as in Microsoft Word so that NRC member companies can make company or job specific changes.
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Member-Get-A-Member Campaign
Help Grow the NRC and Strengthen our Voice
Three options to help recruit new members:
1. Reply to this email with names and contact information of potential members and we'll send them a membership information package.
2. Make a quick introductory call and follow up using the "E-Kit" found here.
3. Direct a potential new member to www.nrcma.org where they can learn more about the NRC and join online.
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Visit the NRC Bid Notifications page on the NRC website at:
www.nrcma.org/go/bids |
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Publicize your Rail Industry Event on www.nrcma.org/calendar.cfm
Visit: www.nrcma.org/listevent.cfm to submit an event |
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Table of Contents
Railroad Day on the Hill is March 13, 2014 in Washington, DC - Registration Open
Save the Date: NRC Auction Set for May 1, 2014 in Austinburg, OH
NRC Welcomes New Members Big R Bridge, Hanson Professional Services, R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, and Road & Rail Services
Stacy and Witbeck Soliciting Proposals for Work on Detroit Streetcar Project
District of Columbia's DOT issues RFQ for Integrated Premium Transit System
Minnesota Rail Authority Issues Two RFPs for St. Paul to Bloomington Corridor
CSX to Construct Inspection Yard in Kentucky
Four Teams to Compete for D.C. Silver Line Rail Yard, Maintenance Facility Project
Charlotte Authorizes $12m for Gold Line Extension
California Transportation Commission Allocates $27m for Rail Projects
MassDOT Authorizes $23.9m Bridge Contract for MBTA
PANYNJ Proposed 10-year Capital Plan Includes $3.3b for PATH
BNSF 2014 Capital Expenditure Set at $5b
CN Announces 2013 Q4 Results and 2014 Capital Expenditures Plan
UP Announces 2014 Capital Expenditure Plan, Names Fritz President and COO
Suppliers Announced for British Electrification Program
FRA Issues Rail Integrity Final Rule to Improve Rail Inspections and Rail Flaw Detection
FRA Opening: Director, Office of Planning and Policy Analysis
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 Railroad Day on the Hill is March 13, 2014 in Washington, DC
Over the past 15 years, Railroad Day on Capitol Hill has proven to be an incredibly effective way to get our advocacy message to Congress. The size of the event, the geographical diversity of the participants, and the unified railroad industry message has focused Congress on our issues like never before.
Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is open to all Class I, II, and III railroad personnel, suppliers, contractors, labor, shippers, as well as state and local government representatives, with an interest in furthering the political goals of the railroad industry. By joining with your fellow rail industry workers, you can help drive home to Congress the important role that this industry plays in restoring America's economy, improving America's environment, and connecting America in the global marketplace.
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Save the Date: NRC Auction Set for May 1, 2014 in Austinburg, OH
The 2014 NRC Auction will be held on May 1, 2014 at Quality Track Equipment's facility in Austinburg, Ohio: 2950 Industrial Park Drive, Austinburg, Ohio 44010. Quality Track Equipment is a division of Delta Railroad Construction.
Now is the time to start making plans to consign or donate equipment. To schedule shipment or delivery of equipment for the auction, email 2014auction@qualitytrackequipment.com. For questions, contact Steve Pratt at steve@deltarr.com or 440-992-2997.
A discounted room block is available at The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake, 4888 North Broadway (Rt. 534) Geneva, OH 44041. The room block rate is $95/night plus tax. To make your hotel reservation, call 1-800-801-9982 and refer to the Delta Railroad Group #4G72ZF.
In addition, there will also be a Happy Hour/Social Event the night before the auction, on April 30, 2014, 5pm to close at The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva-on-the-Lake, 4888 North Broadway (Rt. 534) Geneva, OH 44041.
For more information visit www.nrcma.org/ps.railroadequipmentauctions.cfm?ID=180.
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NRC Welcomes New Members Big R Bridge, Hanson Professional Services, R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, and Road & Rail Services
Big R Bridge
Big R Bridge develops engineered solutions in Prefabricated Bridges, Structural Plate, MSE Walls and Sound Wall Systems for the transportation and railway sectors. Their infrastructure solutions ship and install with minimal equipment and labor requirements, making them ideal even in remote locations.
Big R's Technical Sales Team and Engineers are available to ensure a project's success through every phase. To contact Big R, call 1-800-234-0734 or visit www.bigrbridge.com.
Hanson Professional Services
Hanson specializes in engineering, planning and a range of allied services. Headquartered in Springfield, IL, Hanson is a consulting firm with offices across the United States.
Since the 1960s, Hanson has provided an array of services to the railroad industry. With a team of engineers, specialists and scientists, they offer engineering and planning services for new and rehabilitated structures, capacity improvements, intermodal facilities, rail-to-ship trans-loading facilities, bulk-material handling, fueling and maintenance facilities, railroad yard design/reconfiguration, rail loading/unloading facilities and commuter rail and facilities.
For more information, visit www.hanson-inc.com.
R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc.
R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, a diversified cultural resource management firm, has supported the planning goals and regulatory compliance objectives for local, state, and federal government agencies; environmental firms; pipeline and utility companies; engineering firms; private developers; and, transportation planners for over 32 years. Their team applies dedicated client service and quality control standards in terrestrial and marine archeology, architectural history, applied history, and GIS applications to each project. The firm is working in 49 states, on 248 military installations, and in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
For more information, visit www.rcgoodwin.com.
Road & Rail Services
Established in 1987, Road & Rail Services provides plant and terminal operating expertise as well as field maintenance of rail assets for railroads, rail shippers, and owners of rail related equipment and facilities.
Road & Rail Services opened their Southeast Track Services Division in Spartanburg, SC on June 1, 2013. They perform track repair, maintenance, and construction services for industry customers in the Carolinas and Georgia.
All of their Track Services associates have received the required Roadway Worker Protection Training as required under 49 CFR 214 and all of their inspectors/foremen will be qualified as specified under 49 CFR 213.7. Should any welding on frogs or switch points be required, they have been certified to weld through the CSX REDI program.
For more information visit roadandrail.com, call 864-764-1888, or email SETrackservices@RoadandRail.com.
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Stacy and Witbeck Soliciting Proposals for Work on Detroit Streetcar Project
Stacy and Witbeck is soliciting proposals from local contractors and suppliers for work related to the construction for Detroit's $137m, 3.3-mile M-1 Rail streetcar project.
Stacy and Witbeck has launched a dedicated solicitation website where firms interested in working on the unprecedented streetcar project can review the 30 different bid packages that are currently available. More than 70 subcontracts are listed on the website for the project and another 15 bid packages will eventually be posted.
Bid packages include Asphalt Paving and Milling, Temporary Asphalt Paving, Concrete Milling, Existing Brick Pavers - Salvage, Salvaged Pavers - Installation, Permanent Pavement Markings, Temporary Pavement Markings, Permanent Signage, Traffic Signals, Concrete Curb and Sidewalk, Concrete Roadway, Retaining Wall, Landscaping, Sewer Work, Granite Curb - Salvage and Installation, Streetscape Amenities, Woodward Avenue over I-75 Avenue (S25) Structure Replacement, Woodward Avenue over I-94 (S03) Structure Replacement, Water Main Modifications, Construction Services, and Construction Suppliers.
Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., is the Construction Manager / General Contractor for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar project. For subcontractors interested in submitting a proposal, please contact Tom Gilman, CM / GC Project Manager, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., stacy.witbeck@m1rail.org.
For any other inquiries, please send an e-mail to info@m-1rail.com.
The 3.3-mile streetcar along Woodward Avenue between Larned Street and West Grand Boulevard is the first major transit project led and funded by both private businesses and philanthropic organizations, in partnership with local government, the state of Michigan and the USDOT. Construction is scheduled to be complete in 2016. The project will include rail, bus, vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities to create a walkable region in Downtown Detroit.
For more information, visit http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-local-proposal-stage.
Sources: RT&S, M-1Rail.com, Stacy & Witbeck
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District of Columbia's DOT issues RFQ for Integrated Premium Transit System
The District of Columbia's Department of Transportation (DDOT) has issued a request for qualifications to firms interested in submitting statements of qualification to design, build, operate and maintain an integrated premium transit system (IPT) that includes the city's new streetcar system.
The IPT system will be developed in phases and include 22 miles of dual/single track fixed guideway, related equipment and facilities, and up to 15 additional miles of fixed guided track. The IPT also encompasses local bus services.
As part of the IPT program, new transit facilities and services will be added, and existing facilities and services will be modified to meet forecasted ridership demands and economic growth within the district, DDOT officials said.
The procurement will be conducted as a two-step process, with an RFQ followed by an RFP. Prospective proposers will be short-listed based upon their SOQ submissions evaluated against the extensive qualification criteria in the SOQ. The specific limits of the IPT will be further specified in RFP, which will be issued to the short-listed responding teams.
DDOT will host a pre-SOQ workshop for interested proposers on Feb. 18, though attendance is optional. It adds that any questions regarding the RFQ may be submitted as indicated in the RFQ itself, which can be found here: http://app.ocp.dc.gov/RUI/information/scf/solicitation_detail.asp?solicitation=DCKA-2014-Q-0022. SOQs are due on March 21, 2014.
Sources: Progressive Railroading, Railway Age, DDOT
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Minnesota Rail Authority Issues Two RFPs for St. Paul to Bloomington Corridor
On 2/12, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority issued two requests for proposals for the Riverview transit corridor between Union Depot in St. Paul and the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
One RFP is for a pre-project development study that will evaluate all transit modes and possible alignments with the goal of identifying a locally preferred alternative to streamline the next steps that include an environmental analysis.
The second RFP is for consultant services for the completion of strategic communications for the corridor.
Responses to both RFPs are due March 13. To view and download the full RFPs from Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, visit
http://www.demandstar.com/supplier/bids/agency_inc/bid_list.asp?f=search&mi=686378. Sources: Progressive Railroading, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority Click Here to Return to the Top
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USDOT TIGER Announcement Expected Soon
The U.S. Department of Transportation is preparing to announce availability for a 6th round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants. We expect the announcement and application materials to be ready in the very near-term future. The TIGER 6 program will have $600m in available funding, as legislated in the FY2014 appropriations bill.
The TIGER Grant Program provides an opportunity for the USDOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. Since the start of the program in 2009, more than $3.5 billion in grant funding has been awarded to 271 transportation infrastructure projects across the nation. The program is highly competitive: more than 5,200 applications were received in the first five rounds of TIGER funding, and only 271 projects have been selected. Selection criteria include: contributing to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation; improving the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems; improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; improving the safety of US transportation facilities and improving the quality of living and working environments of communities through increased transportation choices and connections. The program has established a matrix of criteria for application assessment aligned with DOT's strategic policy goals including a requirement to submit a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) that quantifies in dollar terms a range of public impacts of the proposed project.
Rail-related projects have fared very well in this program. Between freight rail, intercity passenger rail infrastructure and stations, commuter rail, rail transit, and streetcars, 106 rail-related projects have received $1.854b out of the available $3.585b in funding from 2010 through 2013.
If you are interested in further exploring the TIGER program, or perhaps encouraging a potential customer to explore the program, further information is available on the official USDOT TIGER website at www.dot.gov/tiger, or you can always contact your NRC government affairs staff in Washington, DC by contacting Chuck Baker at 202-715-2920 or cbaker@nrcma.org.
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CSX to Construct Inspection Yard in Kentucky
On 2/6, CSX Transportation announced it will build a new inspection yard in Hopkinsville-Christian County, Kentucky. The facility will serve a growing freight rail corridor between the Southeast and Midwest. The yard will be used to stage trains for inspection and fueling, primarily coal unit trains serving local Kentucky mines.
Current yard development plans call for the multi-phase project to be completed by 2015. The facility will initially create 50 to 70 jobs, with the potential to add more jobs as traffic volumes grow. CSX currently employs more than 2,400 people in Kentucky and in 2013 more than $98m on its network in the state.
Sources: Progressive Railroading, CSX Click Here to Return to the Top
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Four Teams to Compete for D.C. Silver Line Rail Yard, Maintenance Facility Project
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has revealed four teams selected to submit bids to design and build Package B of the Silver Line project's second phase. The four teams are:
- Capital Rail Constructors, comprised of Clark Construction Group and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co.
- Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
- Metrorail Constructors Group JV, comprised of Turner Construction Co., Southland Industries, and Freestate Electrical Construction Co.
- Skanska USA Southeast Co.
Additional procurement process steps for Package B will include the submission of a technical plan and pricing. The award of Package B, which is expected to cost $260m-$280m, will be made to the team submitting the lowest priced proposal that meets technical qualifications. An award is anticipated in July 2014, with completion anticipated in 2018.
The Silver Line project is a 23 mile extension of the Washington, DC region's Metrorail system into Loudoun County, VA.
Sources: Progressive Railroading, MWAA
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Charlotte Authorizes $12m for Gold Line Extension
On 1/28, the Charlotte City Council approved $12m to help advance the Charlotte Area Transit System's (CATS) second phase of the CityLYNX Gold Line project.
With FTA approval, the city will be authorized to advance work on Phase 2, which includes progressing design to the 65% level, vehicle engineering, preparation of land use and economic development reports, and preparation of a financial plan. The $12m, which will fund this work, is also necessary to support a future Small Starts grant application.
On the same day, the City Council approved an award to a Balfour Beatty/Blyth Development JV for a $108m contract for civil construction of the LYNX Blue Line Extension segment that will extend from south of 7th Street to south of the proposed Old Concord Road Station. The work will include drainage, erosion control, bridges, arterial roadways, retaining walls, traffic control, traffic signal, and water main and sewer installation.
Source: Progressive Railroading
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California Transportation Commission Allocates $27m for Rail Projects
On 1/29, the California Transportation Commission allocated $27m in new funding to three rail projects:
- $11.9m for the Raymond Avenue Railroad Grade Separation project at the BNSF tracks from Ash Avenue to Walnut Avenue in Fullerton
- $6.5m for the Raymer to Bernson Double Track Project, which will add track capacity on the Ventura County line and reduce train traffic interference from commuter and freight rail operations.
- $8.5m for the Metrolink High-Speed Readiness Program, specifically for acquisition of three additional high-powered locomotives for Metrolink's passenger rail service.
Sources: RT&S, California Transportation Commission
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MassDOT Authorizes $23.9m Bridge Contract for MBT
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's board authorized the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to execute a $23.9m contact to repair and rehabilitate three bridges on the Haverhill Line.
The contract was awarded to a JV consisting of LM Heavy Civil Construction and Cooperativa Muratori & Cementisti-CMC di Ravenna. Construction is expected to begin this spring and last 36 months.
The project involves the Merrimack River Bridge, Merrimack River North Approach bridge, and the Washington Street Bridge, which comprise 12 spans over 1,042 feet across the Merrimack River from Bradford to Haverhill. The bridges were built between the late 1800s and 1920s.
Source: Progressive Railroading
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PANYNJ Proposed 10-year Capital Plan Includes $3.3b for PATHGreat Lakes Partners to Purchase MM&A Assets
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) proposed a 10 year, $26.7b capital plan, which will maintain and build transportation infrastructure for its airports, tunnels, bridges, ports and rail system and includes $3.3b for projects on the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) system. The plan, which is subject to board approval, covers the years 2014 through 2023 and includes three major PATH projects: the replacement of the Harrison PATH Station, the modernization of the Grove Street PATH Station, and the PATH extension to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. The $249m Harrison Station project involves construction of a new station to replace the existing facility. The $192m Grove Street project will provide improvements to accommodate 10-car train operations. The $1.5b PATH extension to Newark will involve the extension of PATH from its current terminus at Newark Penn Station to the airport's Rail Link Station. Additionally, there are 71 core PATH projects in the program, of which 57 are state of good repair work, and more than $700m will be invested in PATH for Superstorm Sandy-related repairs. The full PANYNJ 10-year capital plan, as well as the 2014 PANYNJ operating budget, is available at: http://www.panynj.gov/corporate-information/budget-capital-plan.html Sources: Progressive Railroading, PANYNJ
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BNSF 2014 Capital Expenditure Set at $5b
On 2/4, BNSF Railway Co. announced a capital commitment plan of $5b in 2014, up about $1b compared from 2013, and the highest single-year amount on record. The 2014 expenditures will include the following:
- $2.3b allocated for the core network and related assets
- $1.6b for locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisition
- $900m on terminal, line and intermodal expansion/efficiency projects
- $200m to continue installing positive train control
Much of this year's capacity expansion involves Northern Corridor upgrades to position the Class I to meet all customer service expectations, including Amtrak.
Expansion and efficiency projects primarily will be focused on line capacity improvements to accommodate growth in agricultural products, intermodal, automotive and industrial products related to crude oil production, and other terminal improvements to enhance productivity and velocity.
Sources: Progressive Railroading, BNSF
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CN Announces 2013 Q4 Results and 2014 Capital Expenditures Plan
CN reported fourth-quarter 2013 revenue up 8% to $2.7b (in Canadian dollars, 1 CAD = $.91 USD), operating income up 5% to $967m and net income up 4% to $635m. In addition, volume rose 3 percent to 1.3m units.
The positive numbers are from the increased revenue in commodity groups of petroleum and chemicals, metals and minerals, forest products, automotive, grain and fertilizers. Coal revenue declined.
CN operating expenses increased 10% to $1.8b. Higher labor and fringe benefits expenses resulted from increased pension costs and higher incentive compensation. The weaker Canadian dollar translated to a negative impact on U.S. dollar-denominated expenses and materials and services costs rose partly due to severe weather in late 2013 and into 2014.
CN is planning for 2014 capital expenditures of approximately $2.1b, compared with $2b in 2013. The year ahead will bring opportunities in a number of markets, including intermodal, oil-and-gas-related commodities, Canadian and U.S. grain, and commodities related to the recovery in the U.S. housing market.
Source: Progressive Railroading
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UP Announces 2014 Capital Expenditure Plan, Names Fritz President and COO
Union Pacific Railroad announced a 2014 capital spending plan of $3.9b, up about $300m from 2013.
The plan includes the acquisition of 200 locomotives in 2014 and somewhat higher capacity investments. Spending on positive train control implementation will increase to $450m versus $420m in 2013.
UP also announced that Lance Fritz has been elected President and COO, and Chairman Jim Young retired on January 31, but will continue to chair the Class I's board in a non-executive role.
Fritz now will be responsible for operations, marketing and sales, information technology, continuous improvement, supply and labor relations. Fritz most recently was EVP of Operations, a role that now will be filled by Cameron Scott.
Source: Progressive Railroading, UP
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Suppliers Announced for British Electrification Program
On 2/4, Network Rail, a British infrastructure manager, awarded six regional framework contracts to four suppliers as part of a £2bn electrification program covering more than 3,200km route miles over the next seven years.
ABC Electrification, an alliance of Alstom, Babcock, and Costain, has been awarded the Central (London North Western, South) and Wales and Western & Wales regional contracts. Network Rail has selected AmeyInabensa, a joint venture between Amey, Britain, and Inabensa, Spain for the Southern region contract, while the Central (East Midlands) and Scotland & North East regional contracts have been allocated to a joint venture of Carillion and SPL Powerlines, Austria. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for electrification work on the Central (London North Western, North) region.
Source: IRJ
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FRA Issues Rail Integrity Final Rule to Improve Rail Inspections and Rail Flaw Detection
On 1/24/14, the FRA published the Rail Integrity Final Rule designed to improve rail inspections and to help better identify rail flaws in order to further eliminate the risk of derailments. The regulation is scheduled to take effect March 25, 2014.
The final rule enhances the existing Federal Track Safety Standards by:
- Requiring the use of performance-based rail inspection methods that focus on maintaining low rail failure rates per mile of track and generally result in more frequent testing;
- Providing a four-hour period to verify that certain less serious suspected defects exist in a rail section once track owners learn that the rail contains an indication of those defects;
- Requiring that rail inspectors are properly qualified to operate rail flaw detection equipment and interpret test results; and
- Establishing an annual maximum allowable rate of rail defects and rail failures between inspections for each designated inspection segment of track.
The Federal Track Safety Standards require railroads to regularly inspect track conditions, and to also conduct separate rail inspections with specially equipped hi-rail vehicles that operate over rail tracks. This equipment employs ultrasonic technology to identify internal rail defects that could potentially lead to an accident. Data is collected in real-time.
The current rail inspection standards include a maximum number of days and tonnage that can be hauled over a stretch of track between tests. The new regulations establish internal rail flaw defect standards for each railroad while the technology used will continue to drive down the number of known rail defects over time.
To read the full final rule, visit: http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L04920
The rule is also posted on the NRC website at https://www.nrcma.org/ps.safety.cfm?ID=2177)
Sources: AAR, FRA
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FRA Opening: Director, Office of Planning and Policy Analysis
The FRA is currently recruiting for the Senior Executive Service (SES) position of Director, Office of Planning and Policy Analysis.
The position will support FRA's mission by providing senior leadership and accountability for the coordination of a national rail strategy, including national planning and sustainability activities; rail network and business planning, to include network route analysis, business case analysis and capital asset planning along with the development of tools for regional and state planners; and industry analysis to evaluate passenger and freight industry performance to provide policy and investment decision support for both grants and loans. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in strategic, program and/or capital planning; policy development; and application of analytical tools, and extensive knowledge in rail, transportation, and infrastructure.
Additional details regarding this executive vacancy, including how to apply, can be found on the USAJOBS link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/361217200
For questions, contact Nancy Coyle in FRA's Office of Human Resources, at 202-493-6119 or nancy.coyle@dot.gov. The announcement is on FRA's website at http://www.fra.dot.gov/wapp/jobs.aspx.
For other rail industry jobs, visit the NRC Job Board at https://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcjobsboard.cfm?ID=2374
Source: RSAC, FRA
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