Insight on the Rail Industry’s 2026 Outlook
With 2026 already showing signs of growth and strong success across the U.S. rail industry, HDR Freight Rail Director Bill Hjelholt recently shared his perspective with Railway Track & Structures on the opportunities and challenges that the industry will navigate in the year ahead.
Hjelholt is a leader in the rail industry, with more than 40 years of global experience managing major rail projects, programs and technical teams. In his comments for the magazine, he reflected on substantial 2025 headwinds, including trade agreement resets and severe weather impacts which caused uncertainty for global supply chains. He also noted the public benefit that comes from railroads rebuilding and improving critical infrastructure.
“The efficiency of freight rail boosts the productivity of the nation,” Hjelholt said. “While it’s impossible to fund a systemwide hardening of all infrastructure, we see the railroads incorporating resilience upgrades into their projects, sometimes with federal support that recognizes the public benefits.”
Railroad safety will likely continue to be an industry priority. Hjelholt highlighted the shared focus of federal agencies, state departments of transportation and railroad operators to reduce railroad crossing deaths. He pointed to the recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Council on Railroad Transportation winter meeting and the collaboration behind advancing crossing safety initiatives, such as the Railway Crossing Elimination grant.
Looking ahead, Hjelholt predicted a golden age for short lines and Class II railroads, with additional opportunity emerging from diverse financial support and strong Class I partnerships. At the same time, he emphasized the potential of technology innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI) and other smart tech solutions, which HDR has introduced to help clients reduce costs and enhance reliability, safety and efficiency.
Read the whole article, “HDR: Industry Insights,” in the March 2026 issue of Railway Track & Structures.
