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.

Amtrak to begin track replacement in East River Tunnels

Amtrak is beginning the work on a multi-year project for the full replacement of track in all four of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road East River tunnels starting the weekend of October 1-2. The MTA urged Amtrak, which owns Penn Station, to perform this critical work to improve the reliability of train service.

In May, an Amtrak train derailed in one of the East River tunnels due to a broken rail. The track damage resulted in a major disruption of LIRR service for almost a week as Amtrak crews worked around-the-clock to make repairs. Following this incident, inspections revealed significant water drainage issues inside the tunnels.

"I would like to thank Amtrak for their quick response and cooperation in taking on this critical work to improve the reliability of LIRR service for our customers," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "I would also like to recognize elected officials for urging Amtrak to make these necessary track and drainage improvements to the East River Tunnels."

"Amtrak looks forward to completing this vitally important infrastructure enhancement to the our East River Tunnel system," said Mike DeCataldo, Amtrak general superintendent, Northeast Division. "We thank our partners at Long Island Rail Road/MTA for their continued support to provide our passengers with a reliable and efficient mode of rail travel."

The work, to be performed in 55-hour weekend outages in one or two of the four tunnels each weekend, will begin at 10 p.m. on Fridays and continue through 5 a.m. on Mondays. There will also be double tunnel outages during weekday overnight periods for the duration of the project.

Over the course of the project work, which is expected to be completed by mid-year 2015, the total track structure in each tunnel will be replaced. New ties, continuous-welded running rail, ballast, insulated joints and impedance bonds will be installed for the length of each tunnel. Equally important, the drainage system throughout the tunnels will be re-established with newly re-designed drainage improvements.

This necessary and critical tunnel work by Amtrak is expected to impact the construction work being performed on the MTA’s East Side Access project. The impacts to the ESA schedule are under review and will be part of a re-baselining of the schedule.

TriMet begins work on Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project

Early construction work for Oregon’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project begins the week of Sept. 26, along SW Lincoln Street between 1st and 4th avenues.

The 7.3-mile project is the region’s sixth MAX line to be built and extends from the terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at Portland State University to South Waterfront, Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and Park Avenue in Clackamas County. The project includes 10 stations and the first bridge constructed over the Willamette River in more than 40 years. It will create up to 14,000 jobs and generate $573 million in personal earnings. Federal funds will pay for half of the $1.49 billion project; state and local partners are funding the balance. TriMet’s share is less than five percent of the project budget and will not be needed until 2013. The line is set to open in fall 2015.

Project partners include: Clackamas County, Metro, City of Milwaukie, Multnomah County, City of Oregon City, Oregon Department of Transportation, City of Portland, Portland Development Commission and TriMet.

MTA’s Port Jervis line to reopen by year-end with $50 million in repairs

Massive repairs on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Port Jervis Line, at an estimated cost of $50 million, will allow train service to resume by the end of the year, according to a damage assessment presented Sept. 26, at the MTA Metro-North Railroad committee meeting.

The full pre-storm train schedule will be restored when the second track between Harriman and Suffern is finished in fall 2012.

"We are committed to restoring the Port Jervis Line as quickly as possible. It is an important part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s regional network," said Metro-North Railroad President Howard Permut. "In the meantime, Metro-North has marshaled the resources of MTA Bus to provide alternative service during reconstruction and Metro-North forces are building access roads to the tracks to literally lay the groundwork for the outside contractor. NJ Transit, Leprechaun Lines and MTA Bus have all been very helpful and cooperative in this crisis," Permut said.

Metro-North will seek a contractor to rebuild the line, which was ravaged by floods during Tropical Storm Irene last month. An expedited bidding process is planned with a reconstruction contract to be awarded by October 15.

The first priority is to restore train service on one track for the four miles between Suffern and Sloatsburg, which was double tracked, and on the 10 miles between Sloatsburg and Harriman, which is a single track. This includes rebuilding the track bed sub-grade, replacing stone in the washout areas, compacting the loose stone and surfacing the right-of-way. Also critical is repair work on the bridges that carry tracks over streams and roads and rebuilding the slopes adjacent to the river.

The initial work will be performed jointly by a contractor working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and by Metro-North maintenance-of-way forces. The contract will be structured with financial incentives for early completion before the end of the year and penalties for delays in completion.

With the slopes shored up, reconstruction of the second track between Suffern and Sloatsburg, repair of the signal system and long-term bridge repairs can be undertaken. Some of this work will have to wait until spring because it can’t be done when temperatures are below freezing.

 

KCS launches first phase of new website

Kansas City Southern launched a new look and improved functionality for its website, www.kcsouthern.com.

"KCS enlisted a third party to survey its customers to learn what they like about doing business with KCS and how we could improve," said KCS Executive Vice President of sales and marketing Patrick Ottensmeyer. "We received some terrific feedback, including suggestions for improving the user experience on our website. So we engaged a website expert and developed an intensive plan. Today’s launch is the first of several phases designed to better meet our customers’ online needs."

In the first phase, new content and navigation more clearly communicate KCS’ services to both existing and potential customers. Fresh content also targets the website’s other primary users, investors and employees. In addition, new bold graphics and illustrative messaging further develop the KCS brand.

At this time, the online tools available in the password-protected, MyKCS section of the website have a new look, but functionality remains unchanged. These tools will be refined for greater usability and new tools will be added in upcoming phases of website development. The first of these changes is expected to be rolled out next year.

KCS President and CEO Dave Starling said, "The new website better supports the team of sales, customer solutions and investor relations professionals, who are already sharing these messages and the KCS brand with our stakeholders."

UP to spend $15.5 million to improve Iowa, Missouri lines

Union Pacific will invest nearly $10.5 million in the rail line that runs from Des Moines to Iowa Falls, Iowa. Various projects over the almost 65 miles of the line include removing and installing 52,500 ties, replacing more than two miles of rail in various curves, as well as renewing the surfaces at 91 crossings. Crews will also spread nearly 22,000 tons of ballast to help provide a more stable roadbed and weld together the sections of rail, providing a smoother ride for trains.

Most of these projects began in August and are scheduled to be completed by early December.

UP will also invest nearly $5 million in the rail line that runs from Pleasant Hill to Independence, Mo. Various projects over the almost 35-miles of the line include removing and installing 21,800 ties, replacing more than a mile of rail in various curves, as well as renewing the surfaces at 44 crossings. Crews will also spread 16,000 tons of ballast to help provide a more stable roadbed.

Most of these projects began September 16 and are scheduled to be completed by mid-October.

CSX, Amtrak, NYSDOT, FRA reach agreement for New York rail projects

CSX, Amtrak New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration reached an agreement that allows $91.2 million to be released for double tracking between Albany to Schenectady, NY and $58.1 million for the Empire Corridor.

DEIR for BNSF proposed Southern California International Gateway released

BNSF Railway’s proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) reached an important milestone on Friday with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for public review and comment. The $500-million SCIG project is designed to be the greenest intermodal facility in the United States. SCIG will allow containers to be loaded onto rail just four miles from the docks, rather than traveling 24 miles on local roads and the 710 freeway to downtown rail facilities. SCIG will allow 1.5 million more containers to move by more efficient and environmentally preferred rail through the Alameda Corridor each year, greatly reducing truck traffic congestion in Southern California.

New York

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority completed tunneling for the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway when a tunnel boring machine (TBM) reached the Lexington Avenue-63rd Street station, breaking into the existing tunnel. The completion of tunneling marks a major milestone in the $4.45 billion project that will provide service from 96th Street to 63rd Street as an extension of the Q train.

Wisconsin grants give $17 million to freight rail improvements

Wisconsin doled out 10 state awards totaling $17,452,415, which will be used to construct freight rail-related facilities and preserve and upgrade rail infrastructure as part of an overall effort to support job growth and Wisconsin’s economy.

"Wisconsin’s freight rail system plays a major role in our state’s economy, moving raw materials to industry and finished products to markets," Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said. "These awards will help support economic growth in communities across our state and help ensure Wisconsin remains open for business."

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is administering six loans totaling $4,605,824 through the Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program. A revolving loan program, FRIIP awards are provided to private industries, railroads and local governments to improve rail infrastructure, highway-grade crossings and to construct new rail-served facilities, with the overall goal to boost economic development and jobs. As FRIIP loans are repaid, the dollars are used to help fund new projects.

Four grants totaling $12,846,591 are being distributed through the state’s Freight Railroad Preservation Program. FRPP grants cover up to 80 percent of the cost of projects designed to preserve rail service or rehabilitate fixed facilities on publicly owned rail lines.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program grants 
(Some include FRIIP loans)

Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad Co.
• Marinette Marine spur track rehabilitation: The Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad will receive an $845,940 FRPP grant to cover 80 percent of the costs of rehabilitating 1.1 miles of track in the city of Marinette in Marinette County, Wis. WisDOT will provide another $105,743 in the form of a FRIIP loan to cover one-half of the 20 percent local match. The remaining 10 percent, or $105,743, will be provided by the E&LS. Total project cost will be $1,057,425. Repairs will be made to ties, ballast, surfacing, turnout and roadway crossing elements on the spur track.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co.
• Bridge study for Federal Railroad Administration required records: Wisconsin & Southern Railroad will receive an FRPP grant of $1,063,200 to cover 80 percent of the cost of completing a comprehensive bridge rating and evaluation study of bridges located on the rail system owned by WisDOT and the various rail transit commissions and operated by WSOR under contract. WSOR will also receive an FRIIP loan of $132,900 or 10 percent of the total cost. The remaining $132,900 or 10 percent will be provided by WSOR. New FRA rules require bridge studies to be done by rail line owners, which in this case are WisDOT and the rail transit commissions. The WisDOT/rail transit commission owned system has approximately 277 bridge structures.

• Bridge rehabilitation and replacement: The WSOR will receive a total of $4 million in FRPP grant funds to cover 80 percent of costs for emergency rehabilitation and reconstruction work on system bridges. A FRIIP loan of $500,000 will also be provided to cover 10 percent of the project costs. The remaining 10 percent, $500,000, will be provided by the WSOR. Total project cost will be $5,000,000. These projects have been identified by engineering studies as emergency repairs that are vital to keep state-owned railroad corridors operational. The WSOR has identified over $33 million of bridge work that is needed over the next several years. The $5 million will complete work on 10 bridges located in Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Milwaukee, Rock, Sauk and Winnebago counties.

Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co.
• Saukville to Elkhart Lake Phase 1 track rehabilitation: The WSOR will receive $6,937,451 in FRPP grant funds to pay for 80 percent of the total $8,671,814 costs of Phase 1 rehabilitation work on the Saukville to Eklhart Lake rail line in Washington and Sheboygan counties, Wis. WSOR will also receive a FRIIP loan of $867,181 to cover 10 percent of the cost of the work. The remaining 10 percent of $867,181 will be provided by WSOR and the East Wisconsin Counties Railroad Consortium. The Phase 1 work includes renewal of 15 grade crossings, reconstruction of 16 rail turnouts, adding 53,000 tons of new ballast and replacement of 50,000 crossties. Phase 2 work, which will likely include replacement of worn rail with new 115 lbs. welded rail, will occur at a later date.

Freight Railroad Infrastructure Improvement Program (FRIIP) loans

Zenda Grain LLC
• A $1.5 million FRIIP loan to Zenda Grain will construct two additional grain storage bins including one 90-foot diameter bin for additional corn storage and one 78-foot diameter bin for soybean storage. The total estimated cost of the two bins is $2 million. Zenda Grain is applying for the program limit for non-rail improvements of $1.5 million. The remaining cost will be assumed by Zenda Grain. The project is located at the company’s Zenda, Wisconsin property. The Zenda Grain LLC facility is located on a rail line served by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Company on right of way owned by the state of Wisconsin.

United Cooperative
• United Cooperative will use the $1.5 million FRIIP loan to construct a new grain elevator including grain storage and rail loading facilities near Sauk City, Wis., on the state-owned segment of railroad right-of-way between Mazomanie and Sauk City. United Coop will be constructing two, 48-foot diameter grain storage bins, a grain elevator leg and associated conveying equipment to load rail cars on the mainline track. The facility will serve as a rail loading facility for the cooperative’s Sauk City facility and will greatly improve market access for farmers in southern Sauk and northern Dane counties.

LACMTA Board adopts FEIS for Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor light-rail project

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project. The 8.5-mile light rail project now advances into the construction phase, which could begin next year with completion expected by 2018.

"Today’s approval of the final EIR for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project brings us one step closer to delivering another Measure R light-rail project that will bring thousands of badly needed jobs to L.A. County," said Los Angeles Mayor and MTA Board Chairman Antonio Villaraigosa. "Once completed, the new light-rail line will connect residents of South L.A. to Downtown and provide all Angelenos a new transit option to LAX."

LACMTA is proceeding with preliminary engineering and refining costs. Later this fall, the LACMTA Board will consider the life-of-project budget. The total funding available for the project is $1.715 billion.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation estimates that the rail line will generate approximately 15,100 jobs directly related to the project.

The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project light rail line will connect the Expo Line to the Metro Green Line with six stations:

• Exposition/Crenshaw
• Crenshaw/Martin Luther King Jr.
• Crenshaw/Slauson
• Florence/West
• Florence/La Brea
• Aviation/Century

The project connects downtown Los Angeles and the Westside with the South Bay and the LAX area. It provides critical linkages for the region’s residents, employees and national and international visitors.

The alignment is a combination of at-grade, below-grade and above-ground sections.
For information on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Light Rail Project and to review the environmental documents, visit Metro’s website at www.metro.net/crenshaw.

APTA executive committee and Board elected, DART’s Thomas to chair

The American Public Transportation Association announced the election of its 2011-2012 Executive Committee and Board of Directors as voted by APTA members through the association’s first virtual annual business meeting and election of officers.

The Executive Committee will be led by Chair Gary C. Thomas, president/executive director of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas. Thomas succeeds Michael J. Scanlon, general manager/CEO of San Mateo County Transit district and executive director of Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board in San Carlos, Calif.

Flora Castillo, a New Jersey Transit Corporation board member, was elected vice chair and Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., principal of the Ford Management Group, remains secretary-treasurer for another year.

The board, which is comprised of 106 members, will convene October 1 in New Orleans, prior to the beginning of the 2011 APTA Annual Meeting and EXPO.

A list of the newly elected board members can be found at: http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011/Pages/112209_NewBOD.aspx

 

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