August 2020 NRC Bulletin
August 28, 2020
NRC Updates and Announcements
NRC Scholarship Application Deadline is September 15, 2020

The 2020 NRC Scholarship Program is open, however the deadline of September 15, 2020 is fast approaching! The NRC offers tuition assistance to children or grandchildren of NRC member company employees. Please click here to view the 2020 NRC Scholarship Application.

In order to apply, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
  • be a son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of a current employee of an NRC member company. Not a member? Click here to join today.
  • be enrolled at the time of application as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college offering an Associate's degree or an accredited four-year college or university, or if the student is a recent high school graduate enrolling at one of the aforementioned institutions.

Please compile the completed application with all required materials and send directly by email to mmcgonagle@nrcma.org with "2020 Scholarship Application" in the subject line.
2021 NRC Conference Registration opening soon!

NRC Members and industry friends, please make sure to save the dates of January 6th through the 9th for our 43rd Annual NRC Conference. More information on registration, sponsorships and other conference-related logistics will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about registration, sponsorships, or any other conference-related items please reach out to NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.
 
NRC staff would like to reiterate that your health and safety are our top priority. The NRC Board of Directors and staff are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from the CDC as well as local, state and federal officials in order to host a safe and healthy conference.
Mass Transit's 2020 40 under 40: Matt Ginsberg

Congratulations to our own Matt Ginsberg on being named to Mass Transit magazine's 40 under 40 list this year! Matt is pivotal in managing the NRC. To read the profile and see the rest of the 40 under 40, please click here.

Ginsberg is pivotal in advocating for industry issues in DC, and is well-respected among elected officials and policymakers. Ginsberg began as a consultant on a campaign cycle and has worked his way up the consulting ranks for a variety of transportation-related clients.

"Matt Ginsberg is the consummate professional. I have had the great pleasure to work with Matt for over 10 years during my NRC leadership affiliation. His passion for the rail industry and expertise in the lobbying arena speaks to his tremendous leadership abilities. On behalf of the NRC membership, we are pleased to have TGA Association Management Solutions, LLC at the helm providing governmental affairs and association management services" said NRC Chairman Jim Hansen.

Ginsberg says that what drives him is seeing his clients' successes in several game changing projects and "having contributed a little part" in those successes. "This (his job) has allowed me to gain great relationships in the industry," said Ginsberg "but it has also provided a unique perspective and understanding of the many policy challenges and issues that agencies face on a day-to-day basis."
USDOT seeks applicants for CARSI Grants

On August 25, the US Department of Transportation released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for eligible projects up to $50 million for its Commuter Authority Rail Safety Improvement (CARSI) discretionary grant program. To view the the grant opportunity, please click here.

Under CARSI, The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will provide competitive grants to commuter-rail authorities to remove hazards at grade crossings. Eligible projects under the grant program are the separation or protection of grades at crossings, the reconstruction of existing grade crossings; relocation of highways to eliminate crossings, and projects at crossings to remove hazards posed by blocked grade crossings due to idling trains.

If you would like to learn more, please register for the complimentary Funding Opportunity Informational Webinar on September 10 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm ET hosted by the FHWA. To participate in the webinar, you must register in advance by sending an email to Sarah.Tarpgaard@DOT.gov, to provide your name, title, organization name, and email. Please register by September 9, 2020.

On August 24, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and bus service Pace issued a joint statement calling on Congress to provide $32 billion for transit nationwide in a new COVID-19 relief package.

The joint statement was signed by Metra Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jim Derwinski, CTA President Dorval Carter, RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden and Pace Executive Director Rocky Donahue. The letter states, "without additional federal relief, the Northeastern Illinois transit system and others across America will face a significant shortfall in 2021 due to declining revenues."

The statement's goal is to reiterate the transit agencies commitment to safety and a culture of preventing COVID-19. Each agency has taken CDC recommended steps to cleaning their modes of transportation and will continued to do so. To view the full statement, please click here.
FTA releases new updates on its guidance for joint development

On August 14, the Federal Transit Administration released a guidance on joint development. If you would like to view the full notice, please click here.

The purpose of the final Circular is to increase flexibility for project sponsors to pursue joint development projects, reduce FTA oversight of joint development agreements negotiated between project sponsors and their partners, streamline FTA's project eligibility review process, and clarify prior guidance in FTA Circular 7050.1A.

For guidance questions, please reach out to Margaretta Veltri, Office of Budget and Policy, Federal Transit Administration by phone at (202) 366–5094, or by email at margaretta.veltri@dot.gov.
NRC Members: Update your company's directory listing and help show industry footprint and impact to Congress

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous issues and business disruptions across the globe. Corporate offices have shifted to satellite or remote offices, and company employees are no longer located in one area. To make sure we are doing our part, we request that NRC members to update their company's directory listings by clicking here. In doing so, you can help NRC staff have a better understanding of the footprint that our members have across the globe.

When advocating for industry issues to Members of Congress, being able to provide tangible statistics of where our members operate truly shows the value this industry provides. Additionally, if your company is interested in a virtual grassroots event with a member of Congress to show off your facility or project site, please contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.
Be aware of unsolicited phishing attacks from third party vendors

You may have received unsolicited emails from companies claiming to sell attendee lists to the NRC Conference, along with many other trade shows and events in the industry. The NRC does NOT sell or share its members' or conference attendees' contact information and wants to reiterate that groups selling these lists are NOT affiliated with the NRC.

Please make sure to be vigilant of scams including any solicitations via email that could be phishing attacks. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.
Industry News and Updates
On August 19, R.J. Corman Railroad Group, a proud NRC member, announced a final agreement to acquire Owego and Harford Railway Inc., Lehigh Railway LLC and Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway Co., along with TranZ a transload service provider. R.J. Corman is acquiring the companies from Steve May, president of the short lines and TranZ. The short lines currently haul sand, drill cuttings, feed products, among several other goods. Combined the three lines transport more than 14,000 carloads annually.

On August 24, six U.S. Representatives, including three Democrats and Republicans introduced bipartisan legislation that would enable a tax credit for freight railcar owners purchasing new or refurbishing existing equipment that "will incentivize investment in safer, greener freight railcar manufacturing in the United States." H.R. 8082, titled the Freight Rail Assistance and Investment to Launch Coronavirus-era Activity and Recovery (RAILCAR) Act, was sponsored by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill). To view the full press release, please click here.

On August 24, the MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a $403.5 million contract with SCR Constructors. The group is a joint venture (JV) featuring proud NRC member The Middlesex Corporation and Tutor Perini. The JV is tasked with building the New Bedford Main Line, upgrading the Middleborough Secondary Line, and building the Phase 1 signal and communication system. As info, this is the second and largest of 2 major construction packages of the South Coast Rail Phase 1 project. The project, which is scheduled to be complete in 2023, will connect southeastern Massachusetts and Boston.

The week of August 17, St. Louis city officials issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for analysis of alternatives to expand public transit service in the Northside-Southside corridor. The city is exploring possibilities for closing the existing funding gap to construct and operate the light-rail expansion, and see if there are less capital-intensive options for more high-capacity transit through that corridor. To view the RFQ please click here.

Following the installation of approximately one mile of track in the Chicago terminal the week of August 13, Amtrak officially implemented Positive Train Control (PTC) on all of its owned or controlled tracks and locomotives. "Completeing PTC installation and implementation is a key component of Amtrak's overarching commitment to the safety performance...for our customers, employees and the communities we serve" said Amtrak EVP Chief Safety Officer Steve Predmore. Amtrak will continue working with partner throughout the industry to advance the PTC system.

Sign the Staggers Act 40th Anniversary Letter today!
2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act, which de-regulated the railroad industry. This historic Act led to the creation of short line railroads and allowed freight railroads to earn enough revenue to make necessary massive investments into the rail network, which continue to be the life blood of rail contractors and suppliers. GoRail, NRC, and other industry trade associations support, and encourage, the signing of this letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) advocating for smart and balanced rail regulation. The letter is only collecting signatures for the next few months, so make sure to sign-on today.
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The NRC is a trade association representing businesses from across the nation in the rail construction and maintenance field. The NRC’s member companies range in size from small family businesses to the largest companies in the industry. NRC members perform work for transit, commuter, intercity passenger, industrial, and freight rail customers, with services including track construction and maintenance, grade crossings, signal and communications installation, bridge construction and repair, rail yard work, and many more. The NRC strives to put an emphasis on rail safety and quality while proudly serving the rail industry.
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