Rail supplier news from Hitachi, Transdev, Tideworks, TranSystems, HNTB, WSP and Schneider (Oct. 22)

The Mobilinx consortium signed a $3.5 billion, 30-year contract with Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the 4-mile Hurontario light-rail line in Mississauga, Canada. The Mobilinx team includes Hitachi Rail STS SpA, Transdev North America Inc., John Laing Investments Ltd., Astaldi Canada Enterprise Inc., Amico Concessions Inc. and Salini Impregilo Canada Holding Inc.

Tideworks Technology Inc. announced that the entire CSX intermodal terminal network is live with Tideworks’ operating system (TOS). CSX’s largest terminal — in Bedford Park, Illinois, outside Chicago — marks the final terminal in the network to convert to Tideworks’ intermodal TOS solutions, which uses the company's Intermodal Pro® TOS and Traffic Control™ equipment dispatch system. The solutions are designed to increase efficiency of container and rail-car management and improve accuracy and coordination of container and truck movements through CSX’s terminal network, Tideworks officials said in a press release.

TranSystems Corp. hired Michael Evans as rail construction leader to oversee complex rail construction projects, coordinate rail construction staff, and recruit and develop talent. Evans has more than 23 years of railroad experience. Most recently, he was Amtrak’s senior manager of construction in the central district, and assistant division engineer in the Michigan high-speed rail division. He also worked for CN as a track supervisor, TranSystems officials said in a press release.

HNTB Corp. hired Charles Beauvoir as senior program manager and vice president; Jack Buckingham, VP of program delivery for the transit and rail practice; and Mark Fricke, project director, HNTB officials said in a press release. Beauvoir is responsible for managing major projects, nurturing client relationships and expanding HNTB services to its regional transit clients. Buckingham will oversee delivery of HNTB's transit and rail projects and programs in Washington, D.C. Fricke's duties include roadway design management of the firm’s work on the XpressWest high-speed rail project from Victorville, California, to Las Vegas.

WSP USA named Rex Brejnik senior vice president and west regional market lead for the Transit and Rail Technical Excellence Center (TEC). Brejnik will lead, expand and drive growth for the transit and rail practice in the western United States, WSP officials said in a press release. Prior to joining firm, Brejnik was VP for integrated delivery at an international engineering firm, where he was responsible for expanding and securing rail and transit projects.

Schneider was named a top transportation company for women to work for by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT). The honor is given annually to recognize companies that encourage the employment of women and minimize the obstacles they face in the trucking industry. Schneider was recognized for its corporate culture, competitive compensation and benefits, and career development and advancement opportunities. Over 150 companies were nominated and 11,000 votes cast to identify the companies named to this year’s list, which is comprised of business sectors in the commercial freight transportation industry.