LACMTA, NCDOT outline plans for federal grants

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
image description
An aerial view of the Rosencrans/Marquardt/BNSF intersection.
Biggs Caroosa Associates Inc.

Officials on opposite sides of the country outlined plans to enhance safety of local rail systems using recently awarded federal funds.

In California, the Rosecrans/Marquardt intersection in Santa Fe Springs, labeled as the most hazardous grade crossing in the state by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will be grade separated. The intersection sees more than 130 freight and passenger trains per day on BNSF-owned tracks that cross the road at an angle. In addition, more than 45,000 vehicles cross the intersection daily.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) was awarded a $15 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant in 2016 for the project. LACMTA says providing a grade separation will significantly improve safety, eliminate delays and enhance the environment.

The project, which will build a road flyover, is being led by LACMTA in cooperation with the city of Santa Fe Springs, city of La Mirada, BNSF Railway, California Department of Transportation, Amtrak, CPUC, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Metrolink and California High-Speed Rail Authority. Construction is expected to begin in January 2019 with project completion estimated to be January 2021.

Across the country, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) said the state will soon be able to purchase new equipment needed to meet the Positive Train Control (PTC) mandate, thanks to a federal grant by the FRA.

NCDOT was one of 11 recipients to receive a portion of the $25 million FRA awarded to projects across the United States to aid in the implementation of PTC.

“The safe movement of passengers and freight on our rail system is our top priority,” said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson. “These funds will help us ensure that we have the technology to prevent crashes and save lives.”

The state will receive $771,070 to equip five converted Cab Control Units with Interoperable Electronic Train Management Systems. The grant will also pay for system tests on the Piedmont Corridor or within any adjacent rail territory of the state’s rail partners, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak.

“North Carolina has been on the leading edge of efforts to achieve compliance with federal mandates,” said state Rail Director Paul Worley. “As new equipment comes online, this funding will help us enhance our state’s rail network and meet the goals outlined in Governor McCrory’s 25-Year Vision for transportation in North Carolina for improving passenger rail.”

The state is making additional investments in rail safety, such as a series of rail and highway construction projects known as the Piedmont Improvement Program. This initiative includes constructing 12 bridges to separate traffic from trains, eliminating more than two dozen railroad crossings and adding 31 miles of passing track.

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