Work begins on MBTA Wonderland Station with $20-million grant

Work can begin on improvements to the Wonderland Station transit facility in Revere, Mass., thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

The project received a $20-million TIGER grant that will revitalize the area surrounding the Wonderland Station and make it safer and easier for visitors using the station to walk or bike to the popular Wonderland beach nearby.

"This TIGER project will go a long way to enhance Revere Beach Reservation, a treasured asset, while also creating good local jobs," said Secretary LaHood. "Adding bike and safe pedestrian access to the beach from the transit station makes sense for the millions of summer beachgoers and other visitors to the area."

Wonderland Station serves the 26 communities of Boston’s North Shore and Revere’s historic beachfront. The project includes construction of an upper plaza over the station’s rail terminal that provides access to trains, a new busway and a 1,418-space parking garage; a central plaza that connects to an elevated pedestrian bridge; a crossing at Revere Beach Boulevard leading directly to the beach; and an ocean-front park landscaped with native trees and ground cover. Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring and be completed by June 2012.

"As with other TIGER and Recovery Act projects across the Commonwealth and the nation, we are creating needed jobs now on projects that will improve our quality of life for generations to come," said FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff. "Modernizing and reconfiguring the Wonderland Station will be a serious boost for the North Shore."

In addition to serving those who come from all over the world to visit the historic beach, the Wonderland Station – at the end of the MBTA’s Blue Line – also provides residents of Boston’s North Shore with direct access to Logan Airport, Boston Harbor, and Government Center.

 

Speaker Pelosi applauds $6 million for Central Subway in San Francisco

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued the following statement about the Department of Transportation awarding $6 million to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for the Central Subway/Third Street Light Rail project. Speaker Pelosi obtained the funds as part of the fiscal year 2010 appropriations process.

"For the thousands of San Franciscans who squeeze aboard the 30 Stockton bus each day, today’s announcement signals that we are one step closer to relieving congestion in one of our nation’s most-crowded urban corridors. By increasing transportation options between the vibrant heart of Chinatown and the economic engine of downtown, the Central Subway project will promote commerce, improve mobility and reduce air pollution for all of San Francisco.

"Over the last eight years, I have fought successfully to bring almost $100 million in federal funding to this project that makes San Francisco a transit-first model for the nation. Democrats in Congress will continue our urgent work to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, create jobs and spur economic development."

L.B. Foster completes tender offer for Portec Rail Products

L.B. Foster Company said that the United States District Court for the District of Columbia signed the Hold Separate Stipulation and Order and that L.B. Foster’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Foster Thomas Company, has completed its cash tender offer for Portec Rail Products, Inc.

The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Portec expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 15, 2010. As of that time, the depositary for the offer advised that approximately 7.63 million shares, representing approximately 79.46 percent of Portec Rail’s outstanding shares, were validly tendered and not withdrawn in the offer. Foster Thomas Company has accepted for payment all validly tendered shares.

Foster Thomas Company is providing a subsequent offering period, which will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 21, 2010, unless the subsequent offering period is further extended. During this subsequent offering period, Portec Rail stockholders who did not previously tender their shares of common stock in the offer may do so and will promptly receive the same $11.80 per share as was paid during the initial offering period.

Houston METRO rail expansion receives $50 million

The Federal Transit Administration notified Congress of its intent to grant the Houston METRO $50 million for project development work on the North and Southeast light rail lines. The funds will come from the fiscal 2010 federal budget and are expected to be made available to METRO by December 17.

The release of the funds is significant. The NEW METRO has been working closely and cooperatively with the FTA since last September, when the FTA concluded that the prior administration had not followed appropriate procurement policies and procedures in entering into a contract to buy 103 rail vehicles from CAF USA.

METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia said "The NEW METRO understands that the FTA is our partner, and so we adopted a more proactive, cooperative approach in working with them. The release of $50 million is a clear sign we’re moving in the right direction. We especially want to thank our Congressional delegation for all their hard work in making this happen."

METRO President & CEO George Greanias also was pleased. "The rail expansion plan and budget for fiscal 2011 were prepared on the basis of earning the release of the $50 million," he said. "The receipt of the money will enable us to continue the pace we projected and keep the North and Southeast rail lines under construction."

Denver RTD withdraws consideration for Gold Line Federal Station relocation

The Regional Transportation District in Denver is no longer considering a proposed relocation of the FasTracks Gold Line rail station on Federal Boulevard after the Adams County Commissioners withdrew their support December 15 for the new location.

RTD received approval in June from the Federal Transit Administration to relocate the station from the east side of Federal Boulevard to the west, triggered by Adams County’s decision last year to incorporate into its comprehensive land-use plan a transit-oriented development on the west side of Federal Boulevard that incorporated a new location for the Gold Line station. The county and the developer both held a number of public meetings on the proposal.

"As always, we will support our stakeholders along all of our FasTracks corridors in their efforts to bring transit-oriented development that will revitalize their communities and improve quality of life," said Phil Washington, RTD general manager. "This effort was part of that pledge. In this case, our local partner feels that it can no longer support the new location without further study. But the Gold Line is an approved project and is already under contract, so with Adams County no longer explicitly supporting the change, we can no longer continue with it."

The Gold Line, an electrified commuter rail line that will be built from downtown Denver to Arvada and Wheat Ridge, Colo., is part of RTD’s FasTracks transit expansion program. FasTracks will build 122 miles of commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit service, add 21,000 new parking spaces, redevelop Denver Union Station and redirect bus service to better connect the eight-county District. The FasTracks investment initiative is projected to create more than 10,000 construction-related jobs during the height of construction, and will pump billions of dollars into the regional economy

Rehab work to affect service on three D.C. Metro lines this weekend

December 17-19, Metro in Washington, D.C., will replace a track switch, and install new rail and communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage to improve long-term reliability and service. As a result of this work, trains on the Red, Blue and Orange lines will be single-tracking and riders should expect their trips to take up to 30 minutes longer than usual. 





Delays are expected on the Red Line between the Silver Spring and Wheaton Metrorail stations as Metro replaces track switches to improve rail system safety at the Forest Glen Metrorail station. The track switch replacement is work that has been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, to closing on Sunday, Dec. 19. 





Customers traveling on the Blue Line between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail stations should add 30 minutes to their travel time while personnel install communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage throughout the Metrorail system. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.




Customers traveling between the Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street Metrorail stations on the Blue Line should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time because of maintenance work related to the Wilson Bridge Project. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.





Customers traveling on the Orange Line between the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU and West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time because Metro will weld new rail on the tracks in that area. Trains will share one track between these locations the entire weekend.

State of tracks makes Kettle Falls Railway inefficient

Parts of the track are in poor shape, says a recently released report on the Kettle Falls International Railway (KFR), the Grand Forks, Idaho, Gazette reports.

Entitled "City of Grand Forks Shortline Railway Business Case Final Report," the purpose of the report was to provide information to city council on the preservation of the local rail service and the state of some of the crossties on the train tracks, a major maintenance issue on the KFR. The last time a major crosstie replacement took place was in 1989, and because of the condition of some crossties and joints a train can only be operated at 10 miles per hour.

The railway services Danville, Wash., through Grand Forks and Christina Lake to Kettle Falls, Wash., The report stated that half of the portion of the track in the U.S. does not adhere to the minimum Federal Railroad Administration maintenance standards. Because of the slow speed, trains are unable to leave Kettle Falls for Grand Forks and return to Kettle falls in one trip.

Coun. Gene Robert said that a Class 1 standard allows for the current 10 mph while a Class 2 would allow for 25 mph.

"The point behind this that is important is, considering the notion that it is only a Class 1 category, it has an economic spin to it, in that it takes the train longer to do a round trip," he said. "Instead of doing it in one day, they would have to do it in two days."

The report stated because of that problem, operational costs are effectively twice as high. It said that "without immediate capital improvements," the line would eventually become unusable.

 

North River-Newcomb railroad returning

The old National Lead Industries railroad between Tahawus and North Creek, N.Y. could be running again, if Iowa Pacific Holdings of Chicago gets possession of it.

Iowa Pacific wants to buy the 28-mile railroad line that goes from North Creek to the National Lead titanium mines in Newcomb’s Tahawus hamlet, local media report. The railroad was constructed during World War II to transport titanium dioxide ore from the mines. It hasn’t been used since the mines closed in the 1980s. Iowa Pacific intends to operate the short line as part of the Upper Hudson River Railroad, which runs from North Creek to Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in Saratoga County.

Iowa Pacific Holdings President Ed Ellis said the company wants to buy the Tahawus line if it gets the contract to operate Upper Hudson, so it can move freight trains the additional five miles to Barton Mines in North River. Upper Hudson would then be able to transport garnet from the Barton Mines to market.

Warren County owns the 39-mile-long Upper Hudson line from North Creek south to Antone Mountain Road in Corinth. The Essex County Industrial Development Authority currently owns the Tahawus railroad line but is preparing to transfer it back to National Lead.

Newcomb Supervisor George Canon said the reopening of the line would be good for Essex County and Barton Mines.

"The ownership of the railway is with the IDA. The reason is for tax purposes. But the paperwork is all signed to transfer it," Canon said. "They (Iowa Pacific) need that five miles for Barton. That’s the important part of it. That would put that back on the taxes again."

Warren County had sought proposals for operating the Upper Hudson River Railroad because its contract with the present operator expires December 31. The Warren County Public Works Committee has voted to endorse the offer from Iowa Pacific Holdings.

The National Lead line runs through Essex, Warren and Hamilton counties, including the towns of Newcomb and Minerva in Essex.

County supervisors had hoped to make a decision on a railroad operator this month, but the final Board of Supervisor meeting of the year is scheduled for December 17 and two board leaders said no vote on the issue is expected.

Iowa Pacific and Pennsylvania-based Codorus Creek Railway were the two companies that made formal presentations to county leaders in November. Don Kress, president of Codorus Creek, said he has not heard anything from county officials. He said he has recently worked out a deal for U.S. Rail Corp. to operate freight trains on the line while Kress’ group runs passenger trains.

Kinder Morgan to invest up to $150 million in Watco Companies






Watco Companies, Inc., and Kinder
Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., reached an agreement whereby Kinder Morgan will
invest up to $150 million over the next year in Watco Companies in exchange for
a preferred equity position in the company. Kinder Morgan’s initial
investment will be $50 million upon closing, which is scheduled to occur in
January of 2011.

DOJ gives approval for L.B Foster acquisition

The Department of Justice has given their final approval of and entered into an agreement with L.B. Foster Company and Portec Rail Products, Inc., relating to L.B. Foster’s acquisition of Portec and the sale of certain assets related to Portec Rail’s rail joint business primarily located at Portec Rail’s Huntington, W.Va. plant.

The DOJ has filed the agreement together with related papers in federal district court. The signing of an Asset Purchase Agreement relating to this sale was announced on December 9, 2010.

Commenting on the DOJ approval, Stan Hasselbusch, president and CEO of L.B. Foster said, "We thank the DOJ for their expeditious approval and their cooperation with us throughout this entire process."

L.B. Foster said it will be able to close the tender offer and acquire Portec Rail following judicial approval of this agreement, which will satisfy the antitrust condition in the tender offer, assuming all of the other conditions to the tender offer are satisfied.

Fulmer appointed as Director of Transit and Passenger Rail

Urban Engineers, Inc. has appointed Kenneth Fulmer, P.E., C.C.M., as director of transit and passenger rail where he will lead the firm’s efforts in the development of the nation’s transit and high-speed rail program.

Since joining Urban in 1992, Fulmer has taken on increasing responsibilities, focusing primarily in the construction management arena. In 2006 he was named a vice president and associate of the firm.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the design and construction industry and has worked on numerous high-profile transit projects.

In his new position, Fulmer will tap the firm’s resources in the areas of construction management and inspection, project management oversight and coordinate with rail and transit design to develop a comprehensive response to business opportunities.

Dulles Metrorail advancing in northern Virginia

Those big bright lights in the skies above the Route 123 corridor of Tysons Corner, Va., near Tysons Corner Center and the Capital Beltway are really not giant holiday decorations or an early visit by Santa’s sleigh. Instead, they are the lights of crews building aerial bridges to carry the future Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project trains.Crews are working both day and night schedules, and the nighttime work illuminates the skies.

Phase 1 of the project includes three miles each of outbound and inbound aerial track in the Tysons Corner area.

The most visible work is now taking place along Route 123 near the Westpark Bridge, which connects the Galleria Drive area and Tysons Corner Center. Using a complex segmental bridge construction process involving huge cranes, crews from Rizzani de Eccher, headquartered in Italy, are using those horizontal cranes to erect the structures. Each truss is about 360 feet long and weighs 365 tons.

Two of the horizontal cranes are now in use and a third is being assembled adjacent to I-495. Early in 2011, crews will use it to build the bridges over the Beltway. This will take 11 to 12 months to complete. Also, aerial bridge construction will take place next year along Route 7 from the site of the Tysons Central 7 Station near SAIC and the Marshalls shopping center west to and joining more aerial bridges at the Dulles Toll Road intersection where tracks will then lead westward to Reston using the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway/Dulles Toll Road corridor.

The bridges are built by connecting large concrete segments that are approximately 20 feet by 16 feet by 10 feet deep, large enough for workers to work inside segments suspended in the air. Approximately 2,700 segments are being built at a construction site located at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Each segment is custom engineered to fit the design. Once fabricated, each segment is then transported from the airport via truck to the spot where it will be lifted into a span in Tysons Corner.

Also, tunnel miners in Tysons Corner reached a second major milestone on Dec. 3 with the completion of the excavation for the inbound tunnel to carry trains from the future Tysons Central 7 Metrorail Station near SAIC and Marshalls to the Tysons Central 123 Station at Route 123 and Tysons Boulevard. The parallel outbound tunnel was completed on Oct. 20.

Dulles Transit Partners, the design-build contractor for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which owns and manages the project, are self-performing the tunnel construction. So far, more than 150,000 man-hours have been poured into tunnel construction.

During the mining process many, many truckloads of muck were transported from the tunnels to Dulles Airport, where a rail yard will be built in Phase 2 of the Metrorail Project.

Tunnel crews have now started the next phase of construction, which includes waterproofing and installation of reinforced steel lining materials.
The tunnels will carry trains below the highest natural point in Fairfax County at the intersection of Routes 7 and 123.

A shotcrete plant at Route 123 and International Drive provided 20,000 yards of a special cement mix to build the tunnel rim. Approximately 100,000 cubic yards of muck were transported from the tunnel to Dulles Airport. At its deepest point, the tunnel is 35 feet below ground.

 

LaHood unveils New DOT Webpage on ‘Buy America’

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood introduced a new U.S. Department of Transportation ‘Buy America’ webpage that will help American businesses reap the full benefits of the Obama Administration’s investments in transportation infrastructure. Speaking at a Building America’s Future Policy Forum in Charleston, S.C., Secretary LaHood announced this latest effort to promote Buy America compliance by consolidating and improving access to Buy America provisions across all DOT agencies on one centralized webpage.

The new site can be accessed at http://www.dot.gov/buyamerica.

"The Obama Administration is making historic investments in America’s infrastructure – investments that lay the foundation for our long-term economic health while creating good-paying jobs right now," said Secretary LaHood. "We’re also committed to maximizing the economic benefits of these infrastructure investments through Buy America provisions that keep American companies healthy and families working."

Buy America provisions ensure that transportation infrastructure projects are built with American-made products. Through Buy America, the Department of Transportation supports an entire supply chain of American companies and their employees, maximizing the economic benefit of infrastructure investments.

 

Locals want Canadian Pacific to pay for crossing improvements

Homeowners on White’s Beach Road in Ballston Lakes, N.Y., say they take their lives into their hands when they leave their homes, The Saratogian reports. For 18 households, leaving means crossing a set of railroad tracks that sees up to 20 trains go past each day. Only a few stop signs keep drivers from pulling in front of a train. The road is private, so no railroad crossing gates have ever been installed.



"There have been numerous accidents," said Herb Jackson, the resident who paved the road with funds raised from his neighbors. In fact, the bucket of his tractor was hit by a train years ago. "We’re really lucky someone hasn’t been killed out there," he said.



That, too, is the sentiment of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. "The railway’s contention is that these crossings present a serious safety risk," spokesperson Breanne Feigel said. Despite their agreement on the problem, none of the stakeholders can agree on the solution.



The railroad recently sent a letter to Judge Robert Rybak in the Office of Proceedings for the New York State Department of Transportation requesting that White’s Beach Road, as well as two other private Ballston roads – Saunders Lane Road and Connolly Road – be closed.



"We want to see the opportunity for the landowners to safely get to their property," Feigel said, but she also said the crossings would be closed if a land crossing agreement is not reached between the railroads and the residents. "It is in the interest of public safety."



The letter to Rybak and local politicians also states that, "For the past three years, the CP has unsuccessfully sought to engage in meaningful discussions with the homeowners regarding the safety, use and maintenance of the crossings."

It also points out that the railroad crossings all exist within the state’s proposed corridor for high-speed rail.



"When they say they’ve been trying to negotiate with us, that is a crock of malarkey," said Jackson. According to Jackson and two of his neighbors, the railroad approached them to sign a lease agreement for the land over the crossing, shifting responsibility for insurance and liability in case of accidents onto the property owners who maintain White Beach Road.



"Our lawyer said we would be foolish to sign that agreement," said Al Eaton, Jackson’s neighbor.



"This road is not going to be closed," said Don Nash, who lives on Ballston Lake alongside Eaton and Jackson. "It’s about who is going to pay for it."



According to Ballston Town Supervisor Patricia Southworth, a railroad crossing will cost $300,000.



"I think, like any other economic development, they are responsible for making the upgrades necessary to make the project viable," Southworth said. She highlighted recent developers in Ballston who have been required to conduct extensive traffic safety studies to evaluate what upgrades they will ultimately be responsible for making to the infrastructure surrounding their development. "I don’t understand why the railroads would be any different."



One option the parties have considered is the town taking over the roads in order to capitalize on federal funds available for railway crossings.



Both Saunders Lane Road and Connolly Road are gravel roads, and even White’s Beach Road, despite being paved, does not meet town road standards. That means the town would need to pay for the narrow roads to be upgraded.

"We’re talking millions of dollars," Southworth said.



"We don’t want to pay for it and the town shouldn’t have to pay for it," Jackson said. "If the judge decides we’re on the hook for it, it’s going to be a fight."



A public hearing is scheduled for January 6 in Ballston to decide "whether closure or modifications of these crossings are in the best interest of the people of the state of New York," according to a notice from the Office of Proceedings.



Feigel said the thing that gets lost in many of these discussions is that it represents progress.

"It benefits the public and it benefits the state," she said. 

"We’re not holding up progress," Jackson said, "We just want them to fix the road and make it safe."


Overhaul of Jay Street Complex re-connects downtown Brooklyn

Overhaul of a critical subway hub in downtown Brooklyn has been completed. The project included a complete renovation of the Jay Street/Borough Hall A, C, F station; a new free connection between that station and the Lawrence Street/MetroTech R station; ADA accessibility for both stations; a new "Arts for Transit" installation; and the re-naming of the entire complex as "Jay Street/MetroTech." Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials were joined by community and elected officials today for a ribbon-cutting event.

The Jay Street/Lawrence Street rehabilitation project took four years to finish and cost $164.5 million.

The project is vital to the continued growth of downtown Brooklyn. For the first time, customers can transfer between A, C and F lines at Jay Street to R line trains at Lawrence Street. The new transfer provides a strategic connection between multiple routes in Brooklyn. The R train has existing cross-platform connections at DeKalb Avenue to the B, Q, N and D routes so connecting it to the A, C and F Lines offers several convenient travel options. It is projected that approximately 35,000 customers will use the transfer each day.

"The new Jay Street/MetroTech station dramatically improves the way that New Yorkers travel to and through Downtown Brooklyn," said MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder. "We’ve providing a host of new travel options, improving the customer experience with new amenities and making the Jay and Lawrence Street stations connected and accessible to the disabled for the first time. These stations are only steps apart, yet they’ve stood unconnected since 1933. That changes today."

The rehabilitation also includes reorganization of the fare control areas to improve customer flow, reorganization of the station rooms, a power upgrade, new lighting throughout the complex, a new communication system, new flooring, new wall tiles, painting throughout and art work chosen by MTA Arts for Transit.

Metro Transit projects bring millions

Officials from the Federal Transit Administration visited the North Hanley Metro Transit Center in St. Louis, site of the second project Metro has successfully completed using funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Officials highlighted the positive impact of these ARRA investments, applauded Metro for its role in delivering the projects and discussed the additional $35 million in planned ARRA investments coming to the region’s transit system in 2011.

This most recent project, near the intersection of North Hanley and I-70, improved overall parking, parking for commuters with disabilities and bus access at the station. The work not only enhanced transit facilities for Metro customers, but also supported the local economy by using local contractors, including general contractor Byrne & Jones Construction.

Brian Goggins, president of Byrne & Jones Construction, noted, "With construction pricing now very competitive, it’s a great time for facilities improvement projects. Our work on the North Hanley facility will extend its useful life for decades, and we were thrilled to have the chance to work with Metro on the project, which also helped keep great people working."

Looking ahead to 2011, more than $35 million in additional ARRA funds will provide an economic boost to the area as work shifts into high gear on additional projects that will enhance the region’s transit system. The most significant of the projects slated to begin in 2011 is the rehabilitation of the Eads Bridge, which will represent an investment of at least $24.5 million in ARRA funds for the region. With time and weather having deteriorated the structural integrity of the masonry and steel elements of the bridge, this ARRA project will replace and repair critical structural elements and apply a protective coating on the steel that will protect the 136-year-old structure for decades into the future. The repairs will be critical to preserving this St. Louis landmark, which not only serves as an important connection between Missouri and Illinois, but is also a vital part of the region’s highway and public transit systems.

Geotechnical testing begins in LA

Today the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will begin conducting geotechnical tests at more than 200 locations along the planned alignment of the Westside Subway Extension as the next step for planning and engineering the project.

Work will include soil, seismic, noise and vibration tests to be completed over a two-to-three month period. The data collected will help determine the exact route the project will ultimately take through Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood. The first tests will be conducted in the Westwood area where work permits have been secured.

The project will be conducted along the entire planned alignment from Western Avenue to the Westwood/VA Hospital but will begin in the Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood areas.

Geotechnical work will build on the data gathered during the previous draft environmental review phase. The new tests will provide the project team with additional soil and seismic information that is needed to narrow the route down to one. The geotechnical data gathered from the tests will be used to make recommendations about the best, safest and most effective ways to design and build the subway extension.

Metro expects to finish the final environmental review stage of the project in the next year.

METRO Subway begins repairs in Md.

Metro Subway platform repairs at the Owings Mills Station in Baltimore, Md. have started.

Some sections of concrete have started to show signs of wear and damage after 27 years of service. Those platform sections will be repaired and the yellow safety tiles will be replaced.

The work will provide passengers a more secure boarding area. The work started December 3 and will be completed by mid-January. Boarding passengers will be directed past construction barricades by signs, station and train announcements and MTA employees.

Work will be done from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. on weekdays in order to avoid passenger delays. Weekend work is scheduled 10:00 p.m. Friday until 4:00 a.m. Monday. The project will periodically close one track at the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station but will not interfere with scheduled service.

D.C. Metro readies for platform rehabilitation

Beginning Friday, Dec. 17, and continuing through January, Metro will conduct continuous, round-the-clock daily platform rehabilitation work at the Shady Grove Metrorail station in Washington, DC, in effort to return it to a state of good repair, to ensure service reliability and improve safety.

Metro officials are expediting platform rehabilitation repairs to take advantage of traditionally lighter passenger counts during the holidays and to ensure completion of the work prior to the start of the tourist season.

The work involves replacing deteriorated sections of the platform edges with new concrete. Once the platform repairs are made, Metro will turn its attention to replacing the paver tiles with new surface platform tiles in the spring timeframe. The platform repair and rehabilitation work will require Red Line trains to share one track during this rehabilitation effort at the Shady Grove Metrorail station. 


Metro recently completed 1,200 feet of platform rehabilitation work at the Rockville Metrorail station. The platform work is a small part of the larger $213 million comprehensive Red Line rehabilitation program, which runs through 2013, and is focused on bringing the rail system back to a state of good repair to help ensure and improve service reliability.

Ontario-Quebec Corridor Trains to get Wi-Fi service

Nomad Digital has been selected to enhance Wi-Fi service for customers on VIA Rail Canada’s Ontario-Quebec Corridor passenger trains. Under the five-year, $6.3 million contract, Nomad will design, install, operate, and maintain the Wi-Fi infrastructure for VIA Rail, which will keep passengers connected and entertained throughout their journey. The federal government is providing capital funding for this project, including $3 million through its Economic Action Plan.

"Reliable mobile internet access has become an essential part of daily life for many Canadians, especially for business travelers," said Rob Merrifield, Canada’s minister of State. "This is an important step in ensuring that Canada’s passenger rail service responds to their needs."

VIA President Marc Laliberté noted that "VIA was one of the first passenger services in North America to provide on-board Wi-Fi access to customers. Now we are upgrading that service with the latest wireless technologies, higher network speeds and a consistent broadband connection. This means that passengers will soon be able to enjoy feature films, television series and documentaries from the comfort of their seats, using their own laptops, for their entire trip."

Nomad’s wireless technology has been extensively tested in the Corridor since the spring of 2010. When it is fully implemented, the infrastructure will allow VIA to offer additional value-added services to customers, such as on-board entertainment, and provide a wireless platform for VIA’s on-train personnel. Design and installation of the enhanced service will commence shortly and continue through much of 2011.

 

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