OCTOBER SUMMIT UPDATES

Paducah & Louisville (P&L)

Judy Petry, President of ASLRRA, recently presented J.T. “Tom” Garrett, President of Paducah & Louisville Railroad, the association’s prestigious President’s Award for the railroad operation with 500,000 or more annual man hours with the best safety record during 2017. What is impressive is that P&L also received this identical award for its safety performance in 2016.
Safety is Garrett’s top priority. He explains, “No job or task is so important or no service so urgent that we cannot take the time to perform the time to perform all work safely”.
Garrett’s words are supported by actions and have been continually recognized by the railroad sector. In 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, ASLRRA has presented P&L with a JAKE Award. JAKE awards recognize railroads who out perform the industry average safety record. These awards testify to P&L’s safety record and to the fact that safety is the number one priority at P&L for their employees, shippers, and the general public.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI)

Because the Army Corps of Engineers is planning to close the Illinois River in 2020 for essential repairs, WCI is offering non-members the opportunity to attend the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Panel Discussion on the Illinois Waterway Closures in 2020 with Tom Heinold, Chief of Operations, Rock Island District. This session will be presented on the last morning of WCI’s Annual Meeting.
When: Friday, November 16, 2018
Where: Sofitel Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 20 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Cost: $100
To register to attend this presentation, contact Medina Moran at Mmoran@Waterwayscouncil.org or call 202-765-2115.
The link to WCI’s full meeting schedule is:  CLICK HERE

June-September Recap

American Commercial Barge Lines (ACBL)

ACBL’s Glenn W. Jones was the first vessel through the new Olmsted Lock at the end of August. Olmsted is projected to be the busiest lock by tonnage in the country. ACBL announced a new fleeting and shifting service in Channahon, IL with 35 barge fleeting slots and services the 15 dry and liquid cargo terminals in the Dresden Island pool.

Anacostia, Chicago South Shore Freight (CSS)

CSS joins NICTD and NIPSCO in a two-year, $300 million project to install an additional 17 miles of second track on 25 miles of the South Shore line between Gary and Michigan City, IN. This will realign freight and commuter operations in Burns Harbor and eliminate a historic bottleneck.

Illinois Corn Growers Association (ILCGA)

Illinois is the #1 exporter of ethanol. Japan now allows U.S. ethanol to meet up to 44% of an estimated demand of 217 million gallons of ethanol used to make ETBE, or potentially95.5 million gallons of U.S. produced ethanol annually. Most of the 44% will come from Illinois.

The Kearney Companies, Inc. (TKC)

TKC constructed a new, 600 ft. common use rail track to service the warehouse for the nonferrous metals cargo for the London Metals Exchange.

Port NOLA

MARAD awarded a $2.5 million grant to the port to support the current container-on-barge shuttle service plus other new container-on-barge shuttle services.

Port of Chicago

Received a $10.9 million grant for the Butler Drive project. The Port hired Daniel Anguiano as part of the Jobs Program to hire young, non-violent felons in entry level jobs.

St. Louis Regional Freightway

Awarded $248,700,000 by IL Gov. Rauner for five of their infrastructure projects. The Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) is replacing the Merchant’s Bridge.

Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI)

WCI reports that due to a revised cost ratio, Olmsted finished four years ahead of the revised schedule at a cost savings of $330 million. WCI has long supported the Olmsted project which required innovative engineering solutions.