February 03, 2021
CTC Allocates $6.45MM for Short Line Improvement Projects Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The Short-Line Railroad Improvement Program provides funds to short-line railroad infrastructure projects “intended to improve freight mobility, volume thresholds and support modern rail freight traffic and the communities and industries they serve throughout California.” (BNSF)
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) will distribute $6.45 million to seven short line railroad infrastructure projects.
The projects are funded through the 2020 Short-Line Railroad Improvement Program (SLRIP), which was established under California’s Short-Line Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2019. SLRIP provides funds to infrastructure projects intended to “improve freight mobility [and] volume thresholds, and support modern rail freight traffic and the communities and industries they serve throughout California.�
The NJDOT is handing out $29 million in grants for railroad projects.
OmniTRAX Inc., a comprehensive logistics solutions provider, reports the Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE) was awarded a grant by the California Transportation Commission under the Short-Line Railroad Improvement Program (SLRIP) to replace and/or repair more than 4 miles of track in Stockton, Calif.
“The SLRIP grant will greatly enhance our operational efficiency and rail operations in Stockton and preserve and improve transload capacity to meet increased in demand. The project will also significantly reduce costs, emissions and truck travel in the region. We appreciate the partnership with the San Joaquin Council of Governments, which is helping us safely connect our communities and maintain a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly supply chain,” said Sergio Sabatini, president of OmniTRAX
Dean Piacente will start Feb. 1 as CEO of OmniTRAX.
OmniTRAX has appointed Dean Piacente CEO. He will start Feb. 1 at the Denver-based short line and transportation management company.
Piacente, who is leaving PLG Consulting to take on the new role, spent more than 20 years as a CSX commercial executive and has more than 30 years of financial planning and analysis experience. His most recent position at the Class I railroad was Vice President Sales and Marketing for the Industrial Products business unit, and he also served as President of Transflo.
“Dean truly values the role OmniTRAX’s first and last mile services play in economic development and his extensive rail experience will be pivotal to help OmniTRAX bring the benefits of rail to new customers while growing more American communities,” OmniTRAX Board Member Sean Broe said.