Railway Track & Structures - August 2008 - (Page 8)

I N D U S T R Y T O D AY track safety by way of a train approach warning. The proposed regulation would expand upon this requirement to cover a wider range of operational conditions. Since May of 2004, there have been four rail employee fatalities on a track that was adjacent to a track where a group of roadway workers had been operating on-track maintenance equipment, representing a fourfold increase. A copy of the proposal can be viewed at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/321 under the subheading Roadway Worker Protection. Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted until August 18. In another story, FRA has issued a Final Rule detailing the eligibility requirements and selection criteria for capital grants under the Rail Line Relocation and Improvement program created in the SAFETEA-LU legislation. In order to be eligible for grant funding, a project must mitigate the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle traffic flow, community quality of life or involve a lateral or vertical relocation of any portion of the rail line. Under the law, half of all grant funds are reserved for projects costing no more than $20 million each. A state or other eligible entity will be required to pay at least 10 percent of the shared costs of the project. Congress appropriated $20,040,200 for this program for FY2008 with $5,240,000 directed to nine noncompetitive projects. FRA intends to issue a Notice of Funding Availability later this year, following which applications will be accepted for a competitive selection process for the remaining program funds. Also, FRA is providing a $1.015million grant that will support the public outreach and training programs of Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a national not-for-profit rail safety organization. An additional $338,332 will be generated in matching funds or services. The federal funds will be used for OLI’s States Assistance Program, which provides up to 50 grants to state organizations that manage railroad safety awareness programs. In addition, the FRA grant will support training programs for OLI’s more than 2,100 volunteer trainers and presenters, specialized communications programs, publications and other related materials. Pennsylvania authorizes infrastructure investment Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell signed legislation authorizing the commonwealth to invest an additional $350 million to speed the repair of 411 structurally deficient bridges statewide. The legislation also authorizes an additional $15 million to be spent on airport and rail projects. The Rail Transportation Assistance Program will increase by $10 million to $30 million and include $3 million for the preservation of railroad bridges. The remaining funds will be used to construct and reestablish rail lines, preserve existing rail lines, improve safety and add new capacity. Total funding available for rail has tripled under Governor Rendell. The program will begin accepting applications this month. Lucin Rail Cutoff under construction, courtesy of Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. Salt Lake City - September 21-23 REMSA World Rail Expo 2008 Held in conjunction with AREMA Annual Conference The largest Maintenance-of-Way exhibition in North America! Join the world’ finest display of equipment, s tools, materials and technology. Meet the industry’s high-profile decision-makers from around the globe. Reserve your exhibit space now! Visit www.remsa.org or email contact@remsa.org REMSA, 417 West Broad Street, Suite 203, Falls Church, VA 22046 email: contact @remsa.org • fax: (703) 241-8589 8 Railway Track & Structures August 2008 www.rtands.com http://www.remsa.org http://remsa.org http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - August 2008 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Wish List: What Chief Engineers Really Want in M/W Machinery Keeping Ballast in Shape Amtrak Turns to Sophisticated System to Manage NEC Assets Supplier Profiles Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Website Directory Advertisers Index Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - August 2008

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