More Wednesday morning rail news:
— InnoTrans, the massive international rail trade fair held every other year in Berlin, has postponed its 2020 edition, which had been set for Sept. 22-25. The decision follows a decree on Tuesday by the Berlin Senate banning events with more than 5,000 people before Oct. 24 because of the COVID-19 virus. In a brief notice on the InnoTrans website, organizer Messe Berlin said it is finalizing a new date and will announce it no later than early May; Railway Gazette International says the date will be in Spring 2021.
— The city of Manteca, Calif., has pulled the plug on a study to consider possible grade-crossing separation projects, including a potential trench for the Union Pacific rail line through the city that could have cost as much as $1 billion. The Manteca Bulletin reports Mayor Ben Cantu led the push to scrap plans for a request for proposals from consultants to consider alternatives for the city’s 12 grade crossings, saying the city could not afford to spend $100,000 or more for a study at this time.
— A consulting firm working with California’s high speed rail construction program has hired a law firm for an independent investigation of charges its executives retaliated against employees for reporting negative information. The Los Angeles Times reports the California High Speed Rail Authority disclosed the investigation of Montreal-based WSP at a Tuesday board meeting. The investigation follows an earlier Times report in which several current and former WSP officials said they were told to suppress negative news.
“A consulting firm working with California’s high speed rail construction program has hired a law firm for an independent investigation of charges its executives retaliated against employees for reporting negative information.”
What a cluster. Next thing they will subpoena Trains for negative reporting on CHSR management.