Railway Track & Structures - September 2008 - (Page 6)

I N D U S T R Y T O D AY service along the specific rail corridors. In addition, FRA has awarded a grant totaling $231,802 to the University of California at San Diego to refine hardware and software for new technology that uses laser ultrasonic probes to detect certain internal rail defects. The improvements will permit an ontrack vehicle carrying the system to operate at speeds up to 40 mph, increasing the efficiency of track inspections, as well as providing higher reliability of rail defect detection than is currently available. FRA previously provided funding for development of a prototype system that has been built and tested. Grant funds also will be used to conduct a more comprehensive technology demonstration at the Transportation Technology Center test facility in Pueblo, Colo. CN asks STB for revised schedule, new approach CN has asked the Surface Transportation Board to take a new approach to CN’s proposed acquisition of the major portion of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company. CN has asked the Board to issue a final decision on the transportation merits of the transaction in time to permit the transaction to close before year-end, but to preserve the environmental status quo pending further STB action on the environmental issues posed by the transaction. The new approach would ensure adequate protection of the environment for communities along the EJ&E. At the same time, it would avoid the risk to the broader public interest in improved rail transportation posed by regulatory delays that threaten termination of the transaction. CN’s petition requested that the STB decide by September 15, 2008, whether it will modify its procedural schedule to provide for a final decision by October 15 on the transportation merits of the proposed EJ&E acquisition. Under law, that decision would be based on whether the Board has found adverse competitive impacts that are both “likely” and “substantial.” CN is also asking the Board, if it decides to approve the transaction in October, to condition its approval on preserving the environmental status quo until the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis has completed its environmental review of the transaction. CN contends that, so long as the environment is not affected by the transaction during environmental review, the law requires the Board to approve the transaction on its competitive merits. Once the STB’s environmental review is completed, the Board would be expected to issue a decision governing any change in the environmental status quo. “This transaction has far-reaching economic and transportation benefits to the Chicago region, the Midwest and the nation, as well as for CN and its customers,” said E. Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of CN. “This transaction enjoys significant support from a broad array of shippers and the range of other parties who have a stake in making sure that www.rtands.com 6 Railway Track & Structures September 2008 http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - September 2008 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Larry Etherton Rounds Out Successful Term as President of AREMA Remote Bridges Present Challenges New Mexico Rail Runner Express Making Tracks for Santa Fe Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Advertisers Index Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - September 2008

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