Illinois

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced a $685 million agreement to begin construction on the next phase of high-speed rail between Chicago and St. Louis. The federally funded project will create an estimated 6,200 direct and indirect jobs and move Illinois one step closer to faster trains and improved service along its signature high-speed route. At the time of announcement, Governor Quinn was joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, railroad workers and suppliers, Union Pacific officials and federal, state and local leaders.

"Today’s agreement marks another major step towards making high-speed rail a reality in Illinois," said Governor Quinn. "Bringing high-speed rail to Illinois has been a top priority of my administration because of the thousands of jobs and long-term investment it will bring to our state. This important partnership with the Union Pacific and the Obama administration will boost our efforts to make Illinois the high-speed rail hub of the Midwest."

The agreement allows for the construction of new rail track using concrete ties between Dwight and Lincoln, as well as between Alton and the Mississippi River, along with the installation of a modernized signal system between Dwight and Alton. Construction will begin on April 5 and is funded through $1.2 billion in federal funding awarded to Illinois to expand passenger rail. Illinois is showing its financial commitment by providing more than $42 million in state capital funding.

"High-speed rail is more than just an alternative mode of travel – it is a shot in the arm to today’s recovering economy and an investment in infrastructure that will serve us for generations to come," U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said. "With Chicago as its hub, the Midwest high-speed rail network will create an estimated $23.1 billion in economic activity and create 6,000 jobs over the next ten years. That economic boost is already being felt in and around Alton, where construction began several months ago. The federally funded construction agreement kick starts the next phase of the project and ushers in more than $650 million of construction, and an estimated 6,200 jobs, starting this summer."

Construction work directly implemented by the UP will be built by members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen under their national contracts with the railroad. A large majority of workers under these contracts are expected to be hired from Illinois. In addition, more than $650 million of the total $1.2 billion federal grant will go to competitively-selected contractors.

The first trains traveling at 110 mph on the Chicago-to-St. Louis line will make their debut between Dwight and Pontiac as early as next year. Upgrades to the entire Dwight-Alton portion of the corridor are expected to be complete by 2014. The state also is conducting a study on the feasibility of bringing 220-mph service to Illinois.

"We are proud to be leaders on a project that will reduce congestion, benefit the environment and spark economic development," Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said. "We will see the returns on our efforts to develop the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed corridor for years to come."

 

NCDOT, NS, Amtrak and NCRR sign agreement to begin modernization project

North Carolina has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, Amtrak and N.C. Railroad Co. that allows construction to begin on the state’s rail modernization program, bringing more than 4,000 jobs to the state in the short run and boosting economic activity over the longer term.

"Rail is a critical component in North Carolina’s economic development infrastructure," North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue said. "Improving speed and efficiency for both passenger and freight services demonstrates our commitment to the future."

"Norfolk Southern joins with the North Carolina Railroad in supporting improvements to North Carolina’s rail network, for the benefit of passengers and long-term economic development," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman.

The agreement, approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, releases $461 million in 100 percent federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will pay for upgrades to tracks between Raleigh and Charlotte, bridges and crossing safety improvements, station expansions in four cities along that path and construction of a maintenance facility in Charlotte. The funding also will enable North Carolina to improve the speed and reliability of passenger service, add a fourth daily round trip between Charlotte and Raleigh in coming years and refurbish locomotives and rail cars.

The state will proceed with 24 construction projects in 11 counties, ranging from adding double tracks between Charlotte and Greensboro to building a dozen new bridges to eliminate 30 at-grade highway crossings.

Under the agreement, North Carolina will work with Norfolk Southern to design and construct the rail improvements.

"We’re grateful to Norfolk Southern for partnering with us in putting people back to work and better serving shippers in North Carolina," said State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. "We’ll be providing an improved transportation alternative for travelers that also saves energy, reduces carbon emissions and protects the environment."

 

Optimistic outlook follows ‘Strong’ 2010, Norfolk Southern CEO says in annual report

Looking ahead with optimism after last year’s second-highest earnings ever, Norfolk Southern Corporation CEO Wick Moorman says in the 2010 Annual Report that the company is prepared for "the volumes we expect throughout 2011 and beyond, in what I believe will continue to be a growing market for our transportation products."

In his message to stockholders, Moorman notes that 2010 was "a very strong year. Aided by the continuing recovery and our own internal initiatives, we profitably grew the business, invested in the franchise, generated free cash flow and produced attractive returns for our shareholders."

Moorman cited his pride in the company’s employees for achieving a record safety performance and said, "We are committed to applying the same world-class standard to our customer service."

Volume expectations for 2011 and beyond "are supported by our investments in corridor initiatives that are giving us increased rail capacity to handle growth while reaping safety and environmental benefits for the public," Moorman said. "We will continue to do the right things to serve our customers and communities and to reward our shareholders for the trust you have placed in us."

WATCO promotes three

WATCO Transportation has promoted two employees, while Watco Transload and Intermodal Services promotes another.

Marketing manager Christopher Slasinski has been named general manager of the Alabama Warrior Railway, while current general manager for the ABWR, John Peck, becomes general manager of the Timber Rock Railroad.

Jimmy McClain, general manager of the Oklahoma City Transload facility, has been promoted to director of South Region for the transload and intermodal services division.

MassDOT names Stoughton alternative best South Coast Rail route in DEIS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the South Coast Rail project and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has adopted the Corps’ document as the state-required Draft Environmental Impact Report. In the document, MassDOT identifies the Stoughton rail alternative as its preferred route for providing the best transportation, environmental and smart growth benefits.

"The Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to delivering the economic and quality of life benefits that South Coast Rail will provide, and today’s release of this environmental document is a critical step forward in obtaining the environmental clearances we need to bring long-awaited commuter rail service to the South Coast", said MassDOT Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan.

"After an exhaustive process involving all affected communities what we found is that there’s only one route that provides high quality service while at the same time advancing the state’s air quality, energy and climate goals," said MBTA General Manager and Rail and Transit Administrator Rich Davey. "And that is the Stoughton alternative."

The DEIS/DIER release is the culmination of nearly four years of coordination between MassDOT, the Corps and 10 other state and federal agencies. The DEIS/DEIR is a combined federal and state document that compares eight alternatives for restoring public transit service to the cities of Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford. The document provides information on the transportation benefits of each of these alternatives and the potential impacts of the alternatives on noise, wetlands, rare species, air quality and other social, historic and environmental resources.

MassDOT has identified the Stoughton family of alternatives as its preferred corridor in the preface to the document. The Corps will not determine the permittable route until later in the environmental process.

The Corridor Plan estimates the South Coast Rail project will stimulate nearly $500 million in new economic activity each year, while creating at least 3,500 net long-term jobs by 2030, with two-thirds of those jobs in the region. Construction of the rail project will generate an additional 7,000 to 8,000 jobs. In addition to creating jobs and stimulating neighborhood revitalization, the plan identifies over 70 sites that are important to preserve due to the presence of high quality natural resources.

Honolulu rail transit awards two contracts

Two major contracts were awarded to Ansaldo Honolulu, a joint venture of Ansaldo STS and Ansaldo Breda, for Honolulu’s rail project "core systems," which consists of the train vehicles and system control center; and to Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. for design and construction of the second phase of the rail elevated guideway from Pearl City to Aloha Stadium.

These latest contracts represent a net savings of $165 million from the current project estimate. Both were selected through the procurement process based on "best value," which is determined by evaluating all relevant criteria in addition to price.

"Not only are we creating much-needed jobs with these and other rail contracts, but we are also saving taxpayers’ money by making the most of the competitive bids coming in for the project," said Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle. "This process reinforces the City’s commitment to ensure the rail project comes in on time and on budget."

The City has saved more than $300 million in construction costs on the four construction contracts awarded to date. Previous construction contracts include the contract to Kiewit for the first 6.5-mile phase of the elevated rail guideway from East Kapolei to Pearl City and the contract for the train maintenance and storage facility in Waipahu, which was awarded to the joint venture of Kiewit/Kobayashi.

Ansaldo was selected as the winning bidder for the $574-million core systems contract and will be responsible for manufacturing an initial order of 80 train cars for the Honolulu rail system, as well as providing power and communications for the system. The core systems contract came in about 27 percent under the current project estimate. Ansaldo will also operate and maintain the rail system.

Under the $372-million Kamehameha Highway design-build contract, Kiewit will construct the 3.9-mile, second phase of the elevated rail guideway from Pearl City to Aloha Stadium. The Kamehameha Highway Guideway contract came in about 17 percent above the current project estimate. Kiewit will be responsible for construction of the elevated guideway along the second phase of the rail alignment, installation of train tracks and restoration of the road surface along the route.

"We are pleased that three of the four major contracts have resulted in a net savings of more than $300 million. This contributes significantly to the confidence and stability of the financial plan," Mayor Carlisle said.

Train service for the first leg of the transit route from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is scheduled to begin in 2015, with full service along the entire 20-mile route from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center in 2019.

Fort Worth Transportation Authority dubs new project Tarrant Express (TEX)

Fort Worth Transportation Authority board of directors has adopted Tarrant Express, or TEX, as the name of the agency’s new commuter railroad project.

Previously known as SW2NE, the future commuter rail’s corridor runs from Southwest Fort Worth, through downtown Fort Worth and across northeast Tarrant County to Grapevine and into Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

The name Tarrant Express was selected by a subcommittee of the board, along with input from the Grapevine City Council. The City of Grapevine is a funding-partner of the new passenger line and has been involved in its planning and development from the beginning.

The placeholder name of Southwest-to-Northeast Corridor was created in 2006 during the Alternative Analysis process to help identify to the public where the corridor was located. The shorthand version became SW2NE for ease of communication.

"As our new commuter rail project advances into its next phase toward submittal to the Federal Transit Administration for a funding grant, we felt it was important to provide it an official name that would create higher visibility and excitement within the region and greater recognition within Washington, D.C., " said Dick Ruddell, president of T.

"During The T’s public outreach last year to develop a new strategic plan, the majority of responders at our meetings and in our surveys believed it was important to expand public transportation and particularly rail, for all of Tarrant County.

"It is our goal that the Tarrant Express will be doing that in the near future," he said.

Jacobs receives contract extension for RTD FasTracks Program

The Denver Regional Transportation District Board of Directors approved the budget for Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.’s continued services as the FasTracks’ Program Support Services Consultant for 2011. Jacobs has been the Program Support Consultant (PSC) to RTD on the multibillion dollar program since 2005.

Officials estimate the contract value at more than $17 million and also noted that the RTD Board of Directors authorized execution of a six-year option to extend the contract term through July 2017.

The Jacobs PSC team provides program support and specialized technical staff support as an extension of RTD’s FasTracks staff. In this role, Jacobs supported RTD in developing a $2 billion design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) concessionaire agreement to implement the Eagle P3 comprising the East Corridor, Gold Line, Northwest Rail Corridor Segment 1 and the Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility.

FasTracks is the RTD’s comprehensive plan for expansion of high quality transit services and facilities across an eight-county district. The FasTracks program includes construction of 122 miles of new rail transit, 18 miles of bus rapid transit, new parking spaces at rail and bus stations and a major multimodal transit hub at Denver Union Station.

Jacobs Group Vice President Robert M. Clement stated, "We are very pleased to continue our support services as RTD implements one of the largest transit system expansions in the country."

UP invests $19M in Kansas track improvements

Union Pacific will continue improving Kansas’ transportation infrastructure with a nearly $19 million investment to enhance the rail line that runs from Groveland, Kan., to ten miles southwest of Hutchinson, Kan. The nearly 33-mile project includes removing and installing new rail, renewing the surfaces in 53 road crossings and replacing 14 switches.

Wabtec signs $27M contract to provide train control equipment, services for Metrolink

Wabtec Corporation has signed a $27 million contract with Parsons to provide equipment and services for the implementation of Positive Train Control at Metrolink in California. Parsons was awarded a contract in 2010 to manage and implement PTC across Metrolink’s 512-mile system.

NS issues statement on Graniteville ruling

Below is a statement from Norfolk Southern on Graniteville ruling:

On March 18, 2011, Norfolk Southern received an unfavorable ruling from an arbitration panel regarding an insurance claim arising out of the Jan. 6, 2005, derailment in Graniteville, S.C.

As a result, during the first quarter of 2011 Norfolk Southern will record an expense for the receivables for the contested portion of the claim ($43 million) as well as an expense for other receivables that may be affected by the decision (approximately $15 million), as it is not probable that these amounts will be recovered.

It is anticipated that NS will be responsible for certain legal costs of the insurance carrier associated with the arbitration proceeding, although the amount of such costs is not presently known.

Axion awarded patent for flame-retardant coating

Axion International, producer of industrial building products and railroad ties made from 100 percent recycled plastic, has been awarded a new patent that will expand Axion’s intellectual property portfolio and protect the company as it begins to sell a unique flame-retardant coating for use in the flame-retardant industry. The coating can be used on Axion’s existing line of 100 percent recycled plastic railroad ties and structural building products, in addition to other applications.

The patent was awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to Rutgers University in March 2011. Through existing licensing agreements with Rutgers, Axion is authorized to sell and sub-license the unique flame-retardant coating throughout the United States, North America and South America.

"We are pleased to announce this latest addition to Axion’s growing intellectual property portfolio," said Steve Silverman, Axion’s CEO. "This flame-retardant coating represents an impressive new technology to enhance and diversify our revenue stream. Not only does the coating tie-in perfectly with our existing railroad and structural building product lines, it also opens our sales channels to various other industries that could benefit from effective flame resistant surfaces."

"Although originally designed for use on plastic load-bearing material such as Axion’s railroad ties, due to the ease in which the coating is applied to the substrate, it can be used on virtually any surface," said Thomas Nosker, Ph.D., at Rutgers University. "This flame-retardant coating has many advantages over existing technologies, including the fact that it is halogen-free, which is beneficial due to the rising concerns over use of brominated flame-retardants and other halogen-based chemicals that can be hazardous to human health. Based on its unique properties, this product represents a significant shift from the way most flame retardants reduce combustibility."

 

MTA East Side Access Project to begin Queens tunneling phase

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials have dedicated two tunnel boring machines that are a part of the East Side Access project. The machines will create four tunnels under Sunnyside Yard in Queens, connecting the tracks of the Long Island Rail Road main line with the tunnel under the East River that leads to Grand Central Terminal. The tunnels, to be completed in October 2012, are the last to be built as part of East Side Access. Two separate machines that are excavating tunnels and caverns in the bedrock under Manhattan are on schedule to complete their work this May.

After the completion of the overall project in 2016, LIRR trains traveling through Sunnyside will be able to head to Pennsylvania Station, as they have since 1910, or, for the first time, to Grand Central Terminal.

"One hundred years ago, the tunnels under Penn Station gave Long Islanders easy access to Manhattan, essentially giving birth to Long Island as we know it today and leading to enormous growth in the region," said MTA Chairman Jay Walder. "Today, East Side Access will build on this growth and transform this region in a similar way. Commuters throughout Long Island and Queens will have more service to Manhattan and shorter travel times to the East Side-making these communities even more attractive places to live, increasing housing values, and unlocking the next wave of economic development potential on Long Island."

East Side Access will reduce commuting times by as much as 40 minutes a day for about 160,000 customers who currently travel to Penn Station and then must take a subway, bus or walk to the East Side. It will also reduce passenger-crowding levels at Penn Station and thereby enable Metro-North trains to access Penn Station for the first time.

Each machine has a 22-foot diameter cutterhead and weighs approximately 642 tons including the trailing gear, which includes storage tanks, electrical support and exhaust fans. Each machine is approximately 300 feet long from the cutterhead to the rear of the trailing gear. In contrast to the tunnel boring machines being used to cut through Manhattan bedrock, these machines are designed for the geological conditions found in Sunnyside, where the soil is a mixture of sand, clay and boulders and the water table is high. The machines will remove soil and install inter-locking concrete rings, creating a tunnel as they proceed. To facilitate excavation and transportation of the soil that is removed, each machine turns it into a "slurry," or paste that is thinner than pudding but thicker than shampoo.

Canadian government releases Rail Freight Service Review, lays out plan for freight supply chain

The Government of Canada recently responded to the Rail Freight Service Review, which was launched in 2008 to address ongoing issues with rail freight service, raised by users of the rail supply chain.

"Our government is focused on the economy. By launching the Rail Freight Service Review, our government made a commitment to help ensure Canada has the rail system it needs to support a strong economy and our domestic and international trade," said Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport). "Today we are following through on that promise with measures to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of the entire rail freight supply chain."

The review was conducted in two phases. The first phase comprised analytical work to achieve a better understanding of the nature and extent of problems and best practices within the supply chain, including those experienced by shippers, terminal operators, ports and vessel operators, with a focus on railway performance. An independent panel, chaired by Walter Paszkowski, led the second phase, which included extensive consultations with stakeholders across the supply chain. The panel’s final report was also made public.

The government intends to implement the following steps to improve the performance of the entire rail supply chain:

• initiate a six-month facilitation process with shippers, railways and other stakeholders to negotiate a template service agreement and streamlined commercial dispute resolution process;
• table a bill to give shippers the right to a service agreement to support the commercial measures;
• establish a Commodity Supply Chain Table, involving supply chain partners that ship commodities by rail, to address logistical concerns and develop performance metrics to improve competitiveness;
• in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Transport Canada will lead an in-depth analysis of the grain supply chain to focus on issues that affect that sector and help identify potential solutions.

"The Rail Freight Service Review has been a very important undertaking for Canada’s rail system, involving close consultation with key stakeholders," said Minister Merrifield.

CN critical of Rail Freight Service Review final report

Canadian National has serious concerns about the final report of the Rail Freight Service Review panel that was issued and is disappointed with the Government’s response.

While CN is pleased that, in releasing the report, the Government recognized the importance of a supply chain approach and noted its preference for commercial solutions, CN is concerned that the Government’s decision to consider tabling legislation could stifle supply chain innovation and Canada’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer, said, "CN disagrees with the focus and tenor of the panel’s recommendations. Like the dissenting panel member, we are concerned that the panel’s recommendations are drifting backward toward more regulation instead of encouraging the current momentum for positive change."

Mongeau noted that the panel failed to act on the hard facts that were before it, which show that rail service in Canada is actually quite good overall.
CN says the government failed to recognize the significant positive change that has been taking place over the past two years to address key service issues, including improved customer engagement, initiatives to improve the first-mile/last-mile of rail traffic movements and enhanced supply chain efficiency and transparency.
CN says that contrary to its mandate from the government to examine service provided by the "rail-based logistics chain," the panel focused solely on the railways – the only federally regulated segment of the supply chain – and missed the fact that all participants in the supply chain are accountable for transportation system performance, not just railways.

Mongeau said, "CN remains fully committed to its strategic agenda of operational and service excellence. Deeper customer engagement is the right way to do business and the best way to help our customers across Canada win in their own end markets.

"In the end, supply chain partners need to embrace change to drive better service and efficiency gains. Burdensome regulation targeting railways alone is not the solution. Greater supply chain collaboration and more service innovation are what is needed to foster Canada’s prosperity."

CPR agrees with government focus on supply chain, but increased regulation unwarranted

Canadian Pacific commended Canada’s government for recognizing that commercial principles are the key to improving the overall performance of Canada’s world-class supply chain, but cautioned that additional regulation for relationships outside of commercial agreements is completely unwarranted.

"Isolating the rail sector will not produce the desired results," said President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Green.

To offer an independent assessment of the state of regulation relating to Canadian railway service, the government commissioned third-party research, which confirmed that the current regulatory regime for rail in Canada is robust and is superior to other frameworks reviewed.

"I recognize the government is addressing the weaknesses in the Panel’s findings by taking steps to encourage even further improvement across the entire supply chain," said Green. "While the report suggests negotiated commercial principles are preferred, I am concerned about the application of some of the recommendations involving regulation. The devil will be in the details. We will work with government to ensure equitable accountability is achieved throughout the supply chain and fosters further gains in service reliability."

 

Indiana Rail Road celebrates 25th anniversary with record infrastructure spending, improvements

The Indiana Rail Road Company will invest more than $21 million on major upgrades to its route infrastructure in 2011, an appropriate way to celebrate its 25th anniversary while benefiting southwest Indiana communities and businesses.

In 2010, INRD eclipsed the $100-million mark in total infrastructure investment over the lifetime of the company. Announcements detailing the record investments for 2011 are forthcoming.

"The Indiana Rail Road has grown its business by double digits each year of its existence, and we foresee 50 percent growth over the next five years," said Hoback, CEO. "Our 2011 capital investments will allow us to prepare for that growth and maintain a high level of customer service."

The Indiana Rail Road Company is a privately held, 500-mile railroad based in Indianapolis with a full-time staff of almost 200. The company hauls a variety of consumer, industrial and utility-based products.

Metro-North to install ties, perform catenary work

Installation of concrete ties on the New Haven Line between the New York and the Connecticut state line and at the Stamford Station is entering its final phase this spring.

Between March 21 and June 26, Metro-North Railroad will be replacing concrete ties on the outbound local track (Track 4) from Rye to Greenwich.

Preparation work for and installation of concrete ties at Stamford Station will result in track changes at Stamford from March 23 until April 1.
This project, along with continuing catenary replacement work, greatly limits Metro-North’s operating flexibility on the New Haven Line, normally a four-track railroad, as there are fewer tracks available to use for train service.

Amtrak completes modernization of Wilmington station

After nearly two years, the extensive renovation project to modernize the Amtrak Wilmington Station is now complete. The historic station has been rededicated as the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station, in honor of the long-time Amtrak rider, strong advocate of passenger rail and current Vice President of the United States of America.

As a U.S. Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Vice President Biden regularly used this station to travel between Wilmington and Washington, DC.

"This is an historic day for Amtrak, the State of Delaware and the entire region," said Amtrak President Joseph Boardman. "Today we are proud to announce that the Wilmington Station Project has been completed and not only have we improved the transportation function and utility of the station for our passengers but we have modernized and renovated the historic parts of the station while holding on to its charm."

"The Wilmington Amtrak Station is more than just one of the nation’s busiest train stations-at more than 100 years of age, it is also one of our city’s greatest historic and architectural treasures," said Wilmington Mayor James B. Baker. "Following a remarkable renovation and modernization project that successfully preserved the signature handiwork of the building’s famed Victorian architect, Frank Furness, this landmark building is now ready to proudly serve for another century."

The renovation project balanced the need to modernize the station while retaining its historic charm. The project included detailed restoration to various parts of the station including the grand staircase located in the lobby and the historic men’s and women’s waiting rooms on the second floor.

Amtrak and SEPTA passengers utilizing the station will now enjoy a more comfortable and convenient station that features a larger concourse, safety improvements, a new passenger information display system and enhancements to the station’s accessibility to people with disabilities. In addition, the renovation includes track and platform improvements.

A number of environmentally responsible elements also were included in the renovation, such as LED lighting, a new energy efficient heating/cooling system and motion sensors for the operation of lighting and "smart" elevators that automatically shutoff when not in use for a period of time.

Funding for the renovation project was provided by Amtrak ($5.7 million), the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act ($20 million), the Delaware Department of Transportation ($2 million) and the Delaware Congressional Delegation through the SAFETEALU Transportation bill and other appropriations bills ($10 million) all supported by the Biden-Carper-Castle Delaware Congressional Delegation.

 

DART brings new life to maintenance building

The Monroe Shops building, located at Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Blue Line Illinois Station, has become the new home of the DART Police Department, as of March 21.

With the DART Rail system slated to grow to 90 miles over the next few years, the number of DART police personnel will need to expand beyond its current force. Together, with Steven Bourn, AIA, DART architect and project manager, and Ronald Maddox, DART Construction Engineering Manager, the team developed and executed a plan to rehabilitate the building and provide approximately 69,000 square feet to accommodate the police. 



Bourn admits it was a challenge designing the sensitive conversion of an old trolley repair shop listed on the National Register of Historic Places into a 21st Century police headquarters. DART is applying for recognition of Monroe Shops as the agency’s first LEED certified building.


"Working with a historical building can be tricky, but DART’s priority was to preserve the structure while making it useful to the needs of a growing transit system," Bourn added. The new $20 million facility now includes three floors of modern workspace, meeting rooms, staff offices, showers, lockers and an exercise facility.

Nobody can remember how it got its name, but there is no denying that Monroe Shops played an important part in Dallas’ transportation history according to Stephen Salin, DART Vice President of Rail Planning. 



"It was the home of all heavy repair work to cars belonging to the Texas Electric Railway, or Interurban, until its final run in 1948," he said. "Prior to the arrival of the railway, Dallas mainly served as a prosperous agriculture-based town. That all changed due to the existence of the Interurban and this historic repair facility." 



For more than three decades, the Interurban created transportation jobs, brought buyers to Dallas markets and workers to downtown over 226 miles of track on three lines that traveled to Denison, Sherman, Ennis, Corsicana, Hillsboro and Waco. 



When the Interurban stopped taking daily care of 250 rail cars, their maintenance property became the home of such businesses as Fleming & Son Papermill, U-Haul Company and the city of Dallas before DART acquired the abandoned building in April 1991 as part of the land acquisition for the southern Blue Line segment. 



 

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