NRC Member Vossloh Hosts Congressman Brian Mast for Tour & Rail Policy Discussion
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA - Yesterday, U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL-18), member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, joined NRC member Vossloh and other transportation stakeholders for a tour and transportation public policy discussion at Vossloh's Fort Pierce concrete tie production facility.
"Vossloh and Rocla Concrete Tie were honored to host Rep. Mast at our Ft. Pierce facility," said Brett Urquhart, Vice President of Vossloh North America and member of the NRC Board of Directors. "We have invested heavily in the economic growth locally in Florida and look forward to continuing to support investment across North America in modernizing all types of railway infrastructure."
Congressman Mast learned about Vossloh's extensive operations in North America and toured their Rocla concrete tie manufacturing plant, which employs 50 people in Fort Pierce and produces more than 700 concrete ties every day for numerous railroads in Florida.
Vossloh is one of the railroad industry leaders in rail technology markets throughout the United States and across the globe. In the 2017 fiscal year, Vossloh achieved sales of about $920 million with over 3,900 employees. One of the Vossloh divisions is Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., which operates multiple facilities manufacturing high quality concrete ties for Class 1, High Speed, Transit and Industrial applications. Rocla Concrete Tie Inc.'s facility located in Ft. Pierce Florida was built in 2015 in order to serve the Florida region with concrete ties for existing rail infrastructure and future expansion projects for both passenger and freight.
The Congressman participated in a brief policy discussion which highlighted government over regulation in the rail industry, like the proposed FRA Part 243 rule, which would hurt the railroad contractor business. Attendees discussed maintaining the current federal limits for truck size and weight citing that at current weight and size limits, trucks already cause more damage than they pay for our nation's highways.
In addition, attendees highlighted the importance of the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which, if passed by Congress, will allow the nation's small, local freight railroads to increase their reinvestment for upgrades and expanding the "first and last mile" of transportation infrastructure.
Also in attendance were:
"Vossloh and Rocla Concrete Tie were honored to host Rep. Mast at our Ft. Pierce facility," said Brett Urquhart, Vice President of Vossloh North America and member of the NRC Board of Directors. "We have invested heavily in the economic growth locally in Florida and look forward to continuing to support investment across North America in modernizing all types of railway infrastructure."
Congressman Mast learned about Vossloh's extensive operations in North America and toured their Rocla concrete tie manufacturing plant, which employs 50 people in Fort Pierce and produces more than 700 concrete ties every day for numerous railroads in Florida.
Vossloh is one of the railroad industry leaders in rail technology markets throughout the United States and across the globe. In the 2017 fiscal year, Vossloh achieved sales of about $920 million with over 3,900 employees. One of the Vossloh divisions is Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., which operates multiple facilities manufacturing high quality concrete ties for Class 1, High Speed, Transit and Industrial applications. Rocla Concrete Tie Inc.'s facility located in Ft. Pierce Florida was built in 2015 in order to serve the Florida region with concrete ties for existing rail infrastructure and future expansion projects for both passenger and freight.
The Congressman participated in a brief policy discussion which highlighted government over regulation in the rail industry, like the proposed FRA Part 243 rule, which would hurt the railroad contractor business. Attendees discussed maintaining the current federal limits for truck size and weight citing that at current weight and size limits, trucks already cause more damage than they pay for our nation's highways.
In addition, attendees highlighted the importance of the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which, if passed by Congress, will allow the nation's small, local freight railroads to increase their reinvestment for upgrades and expanding the "first and last mile" of transportation infrastructure.
Also in attendance were:
- Matt Bell, Executive Vice President/COO, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC)
- Steve Bolte, Vice President Business Development North America, Danella & NRC Board Member
- Jacob Carter, Government Affairs Director, Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA)
- Matthew Cegelis, Engineer, Brightline
- Reginald Sessions, Commissioner, City of Fort Pierce
- Brett Urquhart, Vice President, Vossloh North America & NRC Board Members
- Other members of the Vossloh Fort Pierce leadership team and staff