Author: jrood

UP’s Barry Michaels awarded IANA Silver Kingpin

Barry Michaels, vice president of intermodal operations at Union Pacific, is the winner of the prestigious 2011 Intermodal Association of North America Silver Kingpin Award. Michaels will receive the award on November 14 during the Opening General Session of the 2011 IANA Intermodal Expo at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Silver Kingpin Award recognizes individuals for their significant, long-term contributions to the intermodal industry.

The IANA Awards Committee recognized Michaels for a lifetime of tireless work as an intermodal advocate, serving twice as IANA’s chair, seven years as chair of the IANA Operations Committee and 14 years on the Intermodal Interchange Executive Committee. He was instrumental in the development of recommended practices to facilitate implementation of the Federal roadability rule, and is seen by many as the force behind the roadability compliance effort for all Class 1 railroads.

"Barry is unique in his ability to put the industry and IANA ahead of any parochial interests," said IANA Chairman Steve Rubin. "His knowledge and determination have served him well and it is my honor, as IANA’s chairman, to be able to recognize his career contributions by presenting him with this year’s Silver Kingpin Award."

 

NRC adds grassroots coordinator to team

National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Inc., hired Tabitha Layman as grassroots coordinator. Many will get the chance to meet Tabitha over the coming months and at the next NRC Conference, which is January 4-7, 2012, at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, Calif.

Tabitha joins the NRC with professional expertise in political broadcasting, campaign operations, federal legislative and policy issues and association government affairs management.

As grassroots coordinator, Tabitha will take the lead on a new NRC initiative to arrange visits by congressmen, senators, governors, etc., to NRC member facilities and work sites. She will be encouraging all NRC member companies to become more active politically by using our grassroots communication tools and will work to make this happen effectively.

Tabitha will also work with Matt Ginsberg, NRC director of operations, and Chuck Baker, NRC president, to provide assistance to NRC members regarding membership services, conference planning, merchandise fulfillment and website updating and maintenance.

New Jersey will repay canceled ARC Tunnel money

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for the state to reimburse the federal government $95 million for money that was supposed to be spent building the ARC Tunnel. New Jersey terminated the project and the Department has been seeking repayment of $271 million in federal dollars spent by the state on the project.

The $95 million settlement will permit the Department of Transportation to recover all of the $51 million in New Starts money provided to New Jersey for the ARC Project, so that those funds can be made available to other communities for public transit projects. This amount also recovers approximately 50 percent of the funds provided to New Jersey under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and this money will be returned to the United States Treasury. In addition to the cash payment amount, New Jersey will be required under the terms of the settlement agreement to spend more than $128 million in CMAQ program funds on transit-related projects that have been reviewed and approved by U.S. DOT.

"We appreciate the support and encouragement of Senators Lautenberg and Menendez in reaching an agreement that is good for the taxpayers of New Jersey but also helps to improve infrastructure in the state," Secretary LaHood said. "I thank the governor and his legal team for reaching this agreement."

 

Michigan’s Lt. Gov. Calley O.K.’s funds for accelerated rail project

Michigan will be able to move forward with a planned accelerated rail project under legislation signed by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.

Senate Bill 237, sponsored by Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn, allocates funds needed to purchase and improve a 135-mile rail line from Kalamazoo to Dearborn, which will allow passage of freight trains and speeds of up to 110 miles per hour for passenger trains.

"The accelerated rail project is a critical investment that will help spur our economy," Calley said. "Michigan’s project share is less than five percent, meaning this is a tremendous deal for our state that will boost our economic development efforts and improve quality of life in our communities."

Article V Section 26 of the Michigan Constitution gives authority to the lieutenant governor when the governor is outside the state. The governor is on a trade mission to Asia until Saturday.

Pennsylvania

U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $40 million grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to eliminate delays in and out of Harrisburg on Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor. The project consists of replacing aging track and signals with modern technologies.

The U.S. DOT had previously funded $23 million to the Keystone Corridor to improve safety and allow future train speeds to increase from 110 mph to 125 mph.

The Keystone corridor operates between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg and is Amtrak’s fourth most heavily traveled route. Since train speeds along the route were increased to 110 mph in 2006, ridership has grown by more than 37 percent to 1,227,075 passengers in 2010.

TranSystems names Rock Midwest Region VP

TranSystems, promoted Timothy P. Rock to regional vice president of the company’s Midwest Region. Rock, a firm principal, has been with TranSystems for 14 years, serving in a number of progressively diverse roles in the company, most recently director of operations. He is a leader in the firm’s Kansas City rail team, working with many of the nation’s Class 1 railroads.

"Tim has established himself as a leader in not only his office but in the region and the company," said Paul Malir, president and COO of TranSystems. "I am excited to have this team in place to move forward."

Rock will assume complete leadership of the region, responsible for all aspects, from business development efforts in the Midwest Region, executing marketing-driven national strategies, to the day-to-day operating functions.

He is a member of the American Railway Engineering & Maintenance-of-Way Association, Construction Management Association of America and the Society of American Military Engineers.

Amtrak’s San Joaquin Corridor reaches more than a million riders

Amtrak California’s San Joaquin corridor has set a new record, its first million passenger year. This is the first time ridership topped a million on the route, the fifth busiest in Amtrak’s nationwide system.

Operating between Oakland, Sacramento and Bakersfield, Calif., with bus service to Los Angeles and other points, the San Joaquin carried more than a million passengers in the state’s fiscal year that ended in June 2011, a 6.7 percent increase over the previous year. It also had the highest ridership of any month in its 37-year history, 103,933 riders in July 2011.

Moreover, annual ridership for the three state-supported routes, the San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner and Capitol Corridor, collectively exceeded all annual ridership records to date. The three routes carried a combined 5,458,788 passengers, an increase of 6.1 percent over the previous year.

The San Joaquin corridor’s one millionth passenger, Denora Gagaza, of Riverbank, Stanislaus County, Calif., was recognized by the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee, on September 29, at the Sacramento Valley train station. Gagaza takes the San Joaquin from Modesto some 30 times a year to visit friends and family throughout the state. She received tickets for a complimentary trip to Denver on Amtrak’s California Zephyr, courtesy of Amtrak.

"She is a perfect ambassador for this route," said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "We are delighted more passengers are experiencing the benefits of Amtrak California trains."

Caltrans believes the increased ridership can be attributed to a combination of lower fares, better customer service, station enhancements, security and parking improvements and greater public awareness through a sustained, well-crafted marketing campaign.

"The success of this corridor is a result of Amtrak’s strong partnership with state of California," said Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak vice president of marketing and product development. "Working with Caltrans, Amtrak has implemented the improvements to the service that have helped boost ridership throughout the region."

 

Railway-bear conflict mitigation symposium underway in Canada

Gathering together some of North America’s leading bear and transportation experts, the Government of Canada and Canadian Pacific launched the first Railway-Bear Conflict Mitigation Symposium in Banff National Park, AB, Canada. Complementing the five-year Joint Action Plan announced last fall, the symposium will be an incentive for attendees to augment the draft research plan to further mitigate rail-related bear mortality in Banff and Yoho National Parks.

"The grizzly bear is an internationally recognized icon of Canada and our national parks," said Minister Kent, Canada’s environment minister and minister responsible for Parks Canada. "Through the Joint Action Plan, we are committed to finding solutions to ensure grizzly bears remain on the Rocky Mountain landscape. In connecting with leading bear and transportation experts, we are taking an encouraging step towards the realization of our goal."

Over the past 20 years, Parks Canada has reduced bear mortality related to human interaction on highways and within town sites through strategic mitigation actions. This symposium will provide a platform to share information and solicit input from experts with varied knowledge and perspectives. These specialists can help further the development of a credible scientific research program related to rail-specific solutions.

"Because we take the issue of grizzly health so seriously, we have brought together some of North America’s biggest and brightest subject experts to help us with our goal," said Blake Richards. "Working with partners is one of many examples how we, as Canadians, are able to implement concrete actions to better protect Canada’s natural habitats and wildlife."

In October, symposium participants and other interested parties will have the opportunity to submit proposals for consideration as part of the $1-million, CP-supported, research plan. This winter, a CP-Parks Canada selection committee will vet submissions and announce successful projects for spring/summer 2012 implementation. Projects will be tested and supported by robust monitoring to determine effectiveness.

Over the summer, as part of other potential mitigation measures identified under the Joint Action Plan, Parks Canada and CP have used selected portions of the railway throughout Banff National Park as a living laboratory. Test initiatives, supported by research plans, include on-track structures such as peg boards to discourage bears from using the tracks as an escape path, strategic vegetation management and electro-mats which are being tested to support potential fencing structures.

 

Koppers signs three-year contract with CSX for joint bars

Koppers Inc. and CSX Transportation Inc. agreed to a three-year contract for bonded rail joint assemblies. The total value of the bonded rail joint assembly contract is estimated at $12-$13 million over the three-year period.

Koppers will produce the bonded rail joint assemblies for CSX at its Huntington, W.V., facility, which was acquired in December 2010 from Portec Rail Products Inc.

"We are very pleased to be able to sign this contract for our new business and continue to expand our relationship with a highly-valued customer like CSX," said Walter Turner, president and chief executive officer of Koppers.

Austin’s Capital Metro Board approves 2012 budget

The Austin, Texas, Capital Metro Board of Directors adopted a $172.9 million operating budget, a $20.6 million capital budget and $13.1 million for long-term commitments and interlocal agreements for fiscal year 2012, which begins Oct. 1.

Although Capital Metro is projecting a three percent increase in sales tax revenue next year, the transit agency projects a decrease in all other revenues, including federal funding. Nonetheless, Capital Metro has adopted a $206.6 million balanced budget that maintains comparable bus and rail service without a fare increase.

Capital Metro has taken many steps to improve the budget development and reporting process in order to strengthen its business practices and transparency. These actions include beginning the budget process two months earlier, linking the budget to new and improved financial policies and providing the board and public more comprehensive information and opportunities for feedback than ever before.

The FY2012 operating budget:

• Projects a three percent increase in sales tax revenue, $153.2 million
• Maintains rail service levels (weekday service and four Friday nights and three weekend days for special events)
• Freezes administrative employee salaries; includes salary step increases for bargaining employees based on seniority and certifications per labor agreement
• Keeps current on ongoing commitments to local entities
• Budgets fuel for the year at $3.50 gallon; plans to hedge 10 percent of fuel consumption

The FY2012 capital budget:

• Continues implementation of the MetroRapid project, using $7.3 million in federal grant funding and $1.8 million in local funds
• Continues implementation of the Intelligent Transportation System with $1.6 million in federal funding and $402,000 in local funds
• Allocates $719,900 to continuing replacement of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for MetroAccess

Capital Metro is also seeking alternative funding sources through competitive grants and transportation development credits that could be used for additional capital projects.

Capital Metro has budgeted to use $0.5 million from reserves, in order to balance the budget in the first few months of FY2012. The agency plans to refinance the rail car lease in January 2012, in which it will realize savings that will be placed back into reserves.

"Developing this budget was no easy task," said Linda Watson, Capital Metro president and CEO, "We have made some difficult, but necessary decisions to improve Capital Metro’s financial sustainability. I’m proud of our board, staff and the community for coming together to diligently create a balanced budget that maintains similar levels of service."
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Oregon intercity passenger rail projects receive $13.6 million

The Federal Railroad Administration awarded a $13.6 million grant to the Oregon Department of Transportation to modernize the Portland Union Station, upgrade passenger rail service along Amtrak’s Cascades route and continue further development of an integrated, statewide rail network.
 


"These investments will improve passenger and freight rail service in Oregon," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "By providing more efficient and reliable rail service, we are building a stronger economic future."
 


A highlight of the rail dollars provided includes: 
 


• $4 million to fund preliminary engineering and environmental work for track replacement and expansion, facility upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disability Act, as well as energy conservation measures at Portland Union Station. These improvements will reduce train station congestion and accommodate forecasted increases in passenger service. ODOT will contribute $1 million to this project.

• $1.3 million to support final design and construction of additional work on the station’s roof and other structural upgrades, coupled with a $5.9 million grant previously awarded by FRA for roof replacement. On top of additional roof replacement and seismic upgrades, work will also include replacing gutters, downspouts, repairing skylights and windows and insulation in the attic.

• $4.2 million for a draft and final environmental work and service planning to identify improvements for the Cascades route from Eugene to Portland, Ore. ODOT will contribute $5.8 million for this phase of the project.

 

Colo Railroad Builders adds new GM in Chicago

Colo Railroad Builders appointed Mark Jansen to vice president and general manager of its Chicago office.

Frank Condurelis, managing director of L.A. Colo, LLC, said, "Mark joins the company with over 30 years of railroad construction and operational management experience. Beginning his career at the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Mark has a wealth of experience with Class 1 railroads, Fortune 500 industrial maintenance, bridge construction and managing the construction process."

 

MTC approves $33.1 million in regional funds for SMART

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the San Francisco area approved $33.1 million in regional funds for California’s Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit.

"Today’s action by the Commission validates our financial plan and completes the funding for the initial operating segment of the SMART rail and pathway project," said SMART Chair and Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown. "We are moving forward to make the train and pathway a reality. We will soon approve our first construction contract, which will create approximately 900 jobs by the end of the year alone."

The SMART initial operating segment, between Railroad Square in Santa Rosa and downtown San Rafael, is the first phase of a project that will create a new North Bay "backbone" to complement existing transit options in a way that also combats congestion and pollution. SMART will create enormous public benefit by bringing people to jobs, businesses and recreation and bringing ongoing economic benefits to the communities it serves.

 

U.S. DOT gives $48 million to N.C. To D.C. HSR, $13 million to NEC

The United States Department of Transportation awarded North Carolina and Virginia $48.3 million to advance the development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor, which will link Raleigh, N.C., to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va. These grants will ultimately spur high-speed and intercity passenger rail development as far south as Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga., and to the Tidewater Region of Hampton Roads and Norfolk, Va.

"Thanks to the investments we are making today, Americans across the Southeast will have convenient access to faster, more efficient passenger rail connecting to destinations all along the Northeast Corridor," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Passenger rail will also help alleviate traffic along congested sections of I-95, foster economic development and provide Americans with a greener, cleaner, more sustainable way to travel."

The federal investment will fund a number of high-speed rail projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.:

• North Carolina – $4 million for environmental and design work for the construction of a new connection between Raleigh and Richmond, that could reduce travel time to two hours between the two cities, a reduction of one hour and 30 minutes from the current schedule. The North Carolina Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, will contribute $3.9 million toward this project.

• Virginia – $44.3 million for environmental analysis and preliminary engineering to prepare for the construction of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Washington and Richmond. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation will contribute $11.1 million toward this project.

U.S. DOT also awarded a $13.3 million grant for the Delaware Department of Transportation to add a third track immediately south of the Wilmington, Del., station. The additional track will eliminate a chokepoint on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, improving on-time performance, with increased schedule flexibility on Amtrak’s high-speed Acela and Northeast Regional services, as well as local commuter rail service.

"The Obama Administration’s historic investment in the Northeast Corridor will modernize its aging railways, dramatically improve its capacity for high-speed rail and create thousands of good-paying jobs by using materials made in the U.S.A.," said Secretary LaHood.

The project includes construction of 1.5 miles of a third track near Wilmington Station, two additional crossovers and a bridge replacement that will help reduce congestion and deliver increased on-time performance. In addition to Amtrak’s intercity operations between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Mass., commuter trains operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will also benefit from this additional track capacity, through improved reliability. Freight operations will be enhanced as a result of the greater dispatching flexibility within the NEC. The Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration will contribute a combined $38.4 million to this project.

 

Alaska Railroad holds groundbreaking ceremony for North Rail Extension Project

Phase One of Alaska’s Northern Rail Extension project is just underway with construction beginning on a bridge over the Tanana River at Salcha, Alaska. A project ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, at the construction staging area.

The ground-breaking ceremony will feature members of Alaska’s congressional delegation, governor’s office, local community dignitaries and railroad executives. The event will celebrate the start of the long-anticipated rail extension, which is expected to boost local and state economies with millions of dollars spent on local equipment, materials, supplies and lodging. More than 200 construction jobs are projected during the summer months and about two dozen year-round.

The multi-phased Northern Rail Extension project will eventually expand railroad track infrastructure from North Pole / Eielson, 80 miles southeast to Delta Junction. It is expected to be a three-year effort, NRE Phase One will construct a new bridge across the river and an associated levee. The Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2010.

DART FY2012 budget sets groundwork for expanded rail operations

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors approved a $1.15 billion budget for fiscal year 2012 that is slightly smaller than the FY 2011 budget ($1.25 billion). The budget, which takes effect October 1, supports the opening of the first section of the Orange Line light-rail to Irving in July 2012, while preparing the agency for additional rail expansions to DFW Airport and Rowlett later in the year.



There are three components to DART’s annual budget: operating, capital and non-operating and net debt service.

Operating: $433.5 million
Capital and Non-Operating: $572 million
Net Debt Service: $147.7 million

The FY 2012 budget is the latest in a multi-year effort to manage the impact of a decade of flat sales tax receipts. Through FY 2011, DART has made adjustments in bus and rail service to help manage the budget. The number of employees at the agency has been reduced through the year either by attrition or through an early retirement program.

Although DART is projecting FY 2011 sales tax receipts to be ahead of budget, additional staff positions will have to be cut. While some of those positions are vacant and will not be filled, approximately 35 full-time employees will lose their jobs over the next several weeks.

The cost reduction steps are a result of higher operating costs and lower long-term sales tax revenue projections. The other major cost drivers for this budget include preparation for the opening of the Orange Line from the Irving Convention Center to the future Belt Line Station and Blue Line extension from Garland to Rowlett in December 2012.

In addition to approving the budget, the Board approved an updated 20-year Financial Plan, which guides future agency operations and expansion. Some of the projects in the plan include a Blue Line light-rail extension from Ledbetter Station to the UNT Dallas campus and a second light-rail alignment in Downtown Dallas.

Miami Central Station project breaks ground

Construction of South Florida’s first complete ground transportation hub began Tuesday, September 27 when Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad joined local officials and representatives of Amtrak, Greyhound, Miami-Dade Transit Metrorail and Metrobus and Tri-Rail for a "shoveling of dirt" ceremony, launching the final component of the massive $2 billion Miami Intermodal Center Program.

"The Miami Central Station is the crown jewel of the MIC Program," said FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad. "It will make a significant difference for residents and visitors by giving them transportation choices within this one location."

Covering 16.5 acres, the $147 million facility is located just east of the recently-opened Miami Rental Car Center and is bounded by NW 25 Street on the north, NW 37 Avenue on the east, NW 21 Street on the south and NW 38 Court on the west.

"The Miami Central Station will be a main transfer point between the rail and bus systems available for resident commuters and visitors to South Florida," said District Six Secretary Gus Pego. "It will also feature an enhanced Tri-Rail station, connections to the Miami Rental Car Center, MIA Mover, Metrorail and Metrobus, Amtrak, Greyhound and courtesy shuttle services, as well as taxis and private vehicles."

When completed, the Miami Central Station will be similar to New York’s Grand Central Station and other multimodal facilities. This major component of the MIC Program will provide choices and connectivity between transportation systems in Palm Beach County, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys. It will be the first all-inclusive ground transportation hub for residents and visitors in Miami-Dade County and the South Florida region.

Miami Central Station planners have taken into account Miami-Dade County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program so, throughout the facility there are provisions for bicyclists as well as pedestrians, which will enable them to move about safely and make their transportation connections.

Sponsored and built by FDOT as the second major structure of the intermodal complex, the Miami Central Station is expected to be completed by September 2013. Construction is being funded by FDOT state transportation funds and loans, federal surface transportation funds, a federal grant and private sector fees and charges.

 

BNSF, UP awarded carrier of the year honors

BNSF was presented with the Domestic Carrier of the Year Award this month at Michaels’ 14th Annual Vendor CEO Summit in Dallas. The theme of the event was "Michaels of the Future."

Each year, Michaels evaluates the service of its transportation providers through stakeholder surveys. Companies are evaluated on key criteria such as customer service at both the destination and origin, as well as corporate level performance.

"BNSF was honored with this esteemed award because of its support of Michaels’ journey on the path to becoming a world-class retailer and growth to more than $4 billion in sales in 2010," said Tom DeCaro, Michaels executive vice president, Supply Chain.

"At BNSF, we are committed to providing each and every one of our customers with the industry’s most reliable intermodal service," said Steve Branscum, BNSF group vice president, Consumer Products Marketing. "We are honored to be recognized by Michaels as Domestic Carrier of the Year, and we look forward to helping them realize their goal of becoming a world class retailer."

Owens Corning named Union Pacific its Enterprise Carrier of the Year for Rail. This is the second consecutive year Union Pacific received the award, which recognizes carriers’ extraordinary commitment to service, safety and operational excellence for Owens Corning.

UP also participated in the Owens Corning Executive Carrier Council, where awardees discussed the transportation environment in their respective modes.

"Union Pacific was chosen to participate based upon its strategic importance to our transportation program and its level of commitment to our mutual success," said Wayne Johnson, manager of carrier relations at Owens Corning.

"To be noted for our dedication to the success of a customer such as Owens Corning is a true honor," said Eric Butler, UP vice president and general manager, Industrial Products. "We strive to ship all of our customers’ products safely and efficiently and continue to look for new ways to provide superior freight transportation service."

Patriot Rail to open L&NW Railroad transloading facility Oct. 5

Revitalization of a shortline freight railroad is spurring the creation of new jobs and business opportunities in rural Northwest Louisiana. By investing $3.3 million in new tracks, equipment and a transloading facility slated to open officially on October 5, Patriot Rail is providing cost-efficient connections for the region’s energy producers.

"Patriot is committed to improving our shortline railroads, serving our customers and strengthening local economies," said Gary Marino, president and chief executive officer of Patriot Rail.

In 2008, Patriot bought the 68-mile Louisiana &North West, which connects the Haynesville shale formation, one of the nation’s largest natural gas fields, with two national Class 1 railroads, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific.

For the past year, Patriot has been developing the Iron Bridge Road project, a 40-acre transloading facility near I-20 in Gibsland that now makes it easy for energy producers to transfer bulk cargo from rail to trucks. The facility allows energy producers to bring in carloads of sand to be used in the natural gas extraction process and send out carloads of crushed rock for use in aggregate, concrete or cement mills.

With the opening of the new facility, Johnnie Raab, general manager, expects the L&NW’s service to quickly grow to more than 5,000 carloads in the first year of operation, with each rail car the equivalent of four trucks. Raab added, "We are negotiating for an additional 100 acres, allowing us to accommodate additional customers and design the yard for maximum efficiency."

Patriot’s private-sector investment is already creating economic activity in one of Louisiana’s most economically depressed areas. "We’ve seen a lot of excitement about the new rail project," said Charlie Andrews, who owns the Gibsland Grill Café with his wife Marsha. "We recently hosted a lunch meeting for 14 people from the electric company and our business is up in general. This project is really good for the whole area."

Raab said L&NW will be hiring new crews, maintenance workers, office personnel and security professionals, while its customers will be adding new operational positions in the Iron Bridge Road yard. "We expect to bring a substantial number of new jobs to Gibsland in the next year," he added. "That’s just the tip of the iceberg once things really get rolling."

 

 

LIRR to begin $26 million bridge rehab next month

The $26.2 million rehabilitation of three aging Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road bridges in Hampton Bays, N.Y., is getting underway next month, a major East End infrastructure improvement financed by the Federal Transit Administration and the MTA Capital Program.

The work on the North Highway Bridge, the Montauk Highway Bridge and the Shinnecock Canal Bridge, all constructed in the early part of the 20th Century, will take two years to complete and is expected to extend the life of each bridge by 35 to 40 years.

"Rebuilding these bridges, the oldest of which has stood for more than 100 years, will provide a much-needed boost to the economy on the East End of Long Island by creating construction jobs and making travel on the Montauk Branch smoother and more reliable," said LIRR President Helena Williams.

The reconstruction will be carried out in large part over the next two years by a private contractor who will employ approximately 45 workers at the height of the project. The LIRR’s own work force will simultaneously carry out a number of supportive assignments.

On Sept. 28, the MTA Board will consider the LIRR’s proposal to name the construction and engineering firm Conti of New York, LLC, as the project’s general contractor with the award of an initial $10 million contract. Conti is a century-old company with infrastructure projects worldwide and is currently rehabilitating bridges for MTA Bridges & Tunnels and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The LIRR’s North Highway Bridge was built in 1907, the Montauk Highway Bridge in 1929 and the Shinnecock Canal Bridge in 1931. Based on routine bridge inspections, the LIRR determined that these bridges were in need of rehabilitation.

"They are showing their age, no question about it." Williams said. "So it’s important that we reverse that. The project will help ensure reliability and on-time performance on the Montauk Branch."

LIRR inspections found that the superstructures of the bridges are in fair to good condition, but in need of waterproofing and painting. The substructures of the bridges, including abutments, wing walls and pedestals, are in poor to fair condition. All deteriorated superstructure and substructure elements will be repaired. The above-deck waterproofing, drainage system, bearings and bridge seats will be replaced. Additional work includes painting and other site improvements.

As part of the repairs, the vertical roadway clearance of Montauk Highway and North Highway Bridges will be increased by approximately five inches to reduce the potential for today’s larger trucks and buses to strike the bridge overhead. This is an improvement the railroad is making during all bridge modernizations where necessary.