CANADIAN Pacific Railway today announced it will invest between $C 1.1bn ($US 1.08bn) and $C 1.2bn on infrastructure renewal, network enhancements and expansion projects in 2012 as part of its multi-year plan, which aims to improve service and increase network capacity while funding business development and initiatives with a rapid return on investment.

FRENCH infrastructure manager French Rail Network (RFF) has selected a consortium led by Bouygues as its preferred bidder for the contract to build the Euros 1.4bn Nîmes-Montpelier bypass.

BRAZIL will need to find $US 82.4bn to fully-fund all of its planned rail projects, according to the country's National Transport Federation (CNT). Of this, $US 41.3bn is required for the national network and a further $US 40.43bn for urban rail projects.

POTASIO Río Colorado, Argentina, a subsidiary of mining giant Vale, has unveiled the winning bidder for the contract to build an 83km connection to a major new potash mine near Zapala in Neuquén province.

NETWORK Rail has awarded three contracts worth £55m as part of the so-called £1bn Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). Morgan Sindall will rebuild Edinburgh's Haymarket station under a £25m scheme to improve accessibility, link it to the city's new light rail line, and create a rail, bus and taxi transport hub.

BRITAIN's Department for Transport has invited bidders to pre-qualify for three passenger rail franchises. Two of them - Great Western and Essex Thameside - will be for 15 years, but the most complicated, Thameslink will only be for seven years.

NOTTINGHAM City Council has placed a £570m contact with the Tramlink Nottingham Consortium to build two light rail extensions totalling 17.5km, and operate them along with the city's existing line under a 23-year concession.