Still more Thursday morning rail news:
South Carolina Senate approves funding for Charleston port projects including intermodal terminal
After debates over parts of four days, South Carolina senators on Wednesday approved a plan to borrow up to $550 million to expand rail service at the Port of Charleston and add a barge system to move cargo from one terminal to another. The Associated Press reports senators voted 45-1 for the project, which will take hundreds of trucks off the road each day, but not until approving a compromise that will require the South Carolina Ports Authority to pay $1 per container, beginning three years after it receives the money, until it pays of $150 million of the bonds needed to pay off the barge project. $400 million of the money will go to a new intermodal facility at the former Charleston Navy Base [see “Digest: South Carolina port agency seeks funds …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 2, 2021].
Sweeping changes in Massachusetts transportation bill include new board for MBTA
A new transportation overhaul bill proposed in the Massachusetts Senate would create a new board to oversee the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, introduce pilot programs to extend late-night rail service and reduce off-peak fares, and eliminate bus fares, among many other provisions. State House News Service reports the bill from Sen. Joseph Boncore, co-chair of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, includes funding mechanisms such as an increase in the state gas tax, new surcharges on parking spaces, and higher ride-hailing fees. It would create a new seven-member MBTA board of directors to replace the five-member Fiscal and Management Control Board; the legislation creating that board expires in June. The no-fare proposal covers only buses as an incentive to get people out of cars that share the road with public transportation.
LA councilman wants UP tracks declared public nuisance; railroad says homeless, illegal dumping are issues
A Los Angeles City Councilman has introduced a resolution which would declare Union Pacific right-of-way in his district a public nuisance. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports the motion by councilman Joe Buscaino, which would allow the city to clean up the areas at the railroad’s expense, says the company fails to maintain the routes through areas including Watts, Wilmington, and Harbor Gateway. Union Pacific, in a statement, said its efforts to maintain and protect route are made difficult by homeless encampments, illegal dumping, and other activities, and said it would continue to work with the councilman and city “to address this very complex issue.” Buscaino complained in a Facebook post that the railroad needs to spend more and employ more special agents to address the issue. The railroad said the homeless issue — widespread in the Los Angeles area — complicates its efforts.
