More Wednesday morning rail news:
Gwinnett County, Ga., voters may again see transit initiative
Voters in Georgia’s Gwinnett County may cast ballots on a transit referendum, including extension of Atlanta’s MARTA heavy-rail system, for the second year in a row. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports county commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of advancing a $12 billion plan that would include a MARTA connection, breaking a deadlock on the rail portion of the proposal. Commissioners still must determine the funding source for the one-cent sales tax that would fund the plan. The Gwinnett Daily Post reports the vote means the commission will notify the Atlanta Transit Link Authority of plans to hold a referendum on transit in November — technically just a step to preserve the option to go to the voters, although commissioners appear to favor holding the vote. County voters turned down a transit referendum in March 2019 by a 54-46 margin.
CN conductor killed on the job in British Columbia
A Canadian National conductor died from a work-related accident Monday, the second CN death in British Columbia this month. CTV News reports 37-year-old Daniel Paulusse, who had worked for CN since March 2018, died in an switching accident at Port Edward, B.C., about 12 miles south of Prince Rupert. Earlier this month, a CN worker was killed at the railroad’s yard in Surrey, B.C. [See “ ‘] That accident is still under investigation.
Woman charged with attempted murder after shoving man in front of BART train
A 34-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted murder after allegedly pushing a man off a station platform into the path of an oncoming BART train. The man was able to react quickly enough to narrowly avoid being hit by the train, SFGate.com reports. Roli Okoropudu was booked after the incident Monday night at the Berkeley station, and was also charged with probation violation. The man was able to squeeze between the train and platform to avoid being hit.
