UP launches new transloading service for agricultural products customers

Union Pacific’s new Plant-to-Port transportation and transload program provides customer product transfer from covered hopper unit trains directly to marine containers at the railroad’s Yermo, Calif., facility. The program includes double-stack intermodal train service on dock to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. UP Distribution Services adds door-to-door supply chain logistics to the service, meaning customers can manage their entire freight movement through UP with a single point of contact.
Plant-to-Port initially will serve distillers dried grains customers but is designed to handle bulk grain and processed grain products.

"This new unit train service provides a first-of-its-kind, plant-to-port transportation solution for our DDG customers," said Paul Hammes, Union Pacific vice president and general manager – Agricultural Products. "The Renewable Fuels Standard mandates increased ethanol production through 2015 and customers will need export solutions to supply new co-products markets. Demand from Asia is driving DDG, grain and grain products export growth to the west coast and we are offering those markets a source of empty marine containers, freight delivery and throughput capacity."

Empty 40-foot marine containers moved from UP’s Intermodal Container Transfer Facility in Long Beach are staged at the railroad’s Yermo facility prior to customer product arrival, expediting the transloading process.

UPDS provides marine container supply management, real-time product tracking, direct ocean carrier contact and transload management, all with a staff dedicated to this service.

DART ups Red, Orange line trains in response to increased ridership

Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail customers on the Red Line North/Orange Line will have more frequent trains during the morning and afternoon rush hours starting April 11 when more trains depart every 7.5 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. 



The adjustment to Red and Orange Line trains operating north of downtown Dallas is in response to rising ridership. It increases rush hour capacity 28 percent during morning and afternoon rush hours. The capacity will be increased by adding more frequent service over longer periods of time; creating more 7.5-minute departures instead of the current 15-minute departures. Four trips will be added during morning rush and six during the afternoon rush.

The increased Red Line North frequency was originally planned for implementation with the opening of the Orange Line to Irving in 2012.

There are no plans to increase capacity on Red Line South, Blue Line or Green Line trains based on current and projected ridership.

These rail service changes will require adjustments to some weekday rush hour Red, Blue and Green Line trips. Midday, evening and weekend rail schedules, along with all bus schedules, will remain the same.

REMSA scholarships totaling 20,000

The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association has announced the availability of seven undergraduate scholarships for tuition assistance. This year REMSA is offering a total of $20,000 in scholarships. Two $5,000 President’s Scholarships and five individual scholarships at $2,000 will be awarded.

Scholarship funds, awarded annually, are sent to the financial aid office at each recipient’s institution to be applied to the student’s account at the beginning of the fall term of study. Students must be in attendance for a full year following receipt of the award.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must

• be a full- or part-time employee of a REMSA member company; or the spouse, son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter of a current full-time employee of a REMSA member company. An employee who is the scholarship applicant does not have to be a full-time employee;

• be enrolled and in attendance at the time of application as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college offering an associate’s degree or an accredited college or university offering a bachelor’s degree; and

• demonstrate successful completion of the previous year of study and a willingness to continue.

To apply for REMSA’s 2011 Scholarship Program, visit www.remsa.org.

KCS names Songer new AVP planning and administration in engineering department

Kansas City Southern promoted Jeff Songer from general director to assistant vice president planning and administration for the engineering department. Songer reports to KCS senior vice president and chief engineer John Jacobsen.

"Jeff has demonstrated superior leadership," said Jacobsen. "He is one of the best capital planning professionals I’ve worked with in my 40 years in the railroad industry."

Songer joined The Kansas City Southern Railway Company in 2005. Prior to joining the company, he spent 12 years in the construction and finance industries.

Maryland DOT and CSXT to conduct public workshops on proposed intermodal facility

As part of the initial planning toward the development of a new rail intermodal facility in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation, with CSX Transportation, Inc., and its affiliates, will conduct public workshops in central Maryland beginning next month. The workshops will provide the public with an opportunity to be briefed on the vision for a proposed Baltimore-Washington Rail Intermodal Facility that will allow the transfer of freight trailers and containers between trains and trucks at one location. Construction of a modern, environmentally-sensitive transfer facility is critical to the future of the State’s economy, its ability to compete in the global marketplace and the need to create and support good-paying jobs.

"The low-clearance of the Howard Street tunnel in Baltimore City does not provide freight railroads with the ‘double stack’ capability that is so critical to compete in today’s business environment," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley. "By creating a new transfer facility at an appropriate industrial site south of Baltimore along the I-95 corridor, new doors of commerce will open for Maryland that will benefit the Port of Baltimore, the state’s economy and the thousands of jobs in our state that rely on a vibrant freight industry."

Earlier this month, representatives from both MDOT and CSXT met with the Federal Railroad Administration to determine the appropriate criteria to be used to identify candidate sites for such a facility in this region. Based on these discussions, four candidate sites were identified for further consideration under the National Environmental Policy Act. They include:

• a portion of the property on the Jessup Correctional Institution, east of the Camden Line between Brock Bridge Road and south of MD 175 in Anne Arundel County;
• property north of Hanover Road between the Camden Line and Race Road in Howard County;
• property west of the Camden Line and north of Montevideo Road in Howard County;
• property east of the Camden Line and west of MD 201 between Sunnyside Avenue and Powder Mill Road in Prince George’s County.

The April workshops are the first step in an open and transparent public process that will be governed by NEPA. Information on the candidate sites and the evaluation process can also be found on a new website at www.intermodal.maryland.gov. The workshops will be held at three locations to discuss with the public the operational and safety criteria required for a rail intermodal facility, the NEPA process and other relevant information about the project.

The workshops will be held:

• Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7 – 9 p.m., Beltsville Academy, 4300 Wicomico Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705;
• Thursday, April 21, 2011, 7 – 9 PM, Hebron-Harmon Elementary School, 7660 Ridge Chapel Road, Hanover, MD 21076;
• Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 7 – 9 PM, Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Road, Elkridge, MD 21075

 

WMATA Board approves development team for New Carrollton transit oriented Development

The Washington Metropolitain Area Transit Authority’s Board of Directors approved the selection of a development team led by Forest City Enterprises and Urban Atlantic Development to create a signature transit oriented development project around the New Carrollton Metrorail station in Prince George’s County.

The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the development team, the first step in a joint approval process with the Maryland Department of Transportation, which is expected to sign off on the MOU and developer selection in early April.

"Transit oriented development around the Metro system generates millions of dollars for the region," said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles. "We are pleased to be working with Maryland on this public private partnership that allows Metrorail to serve as an economic engine."

Metro and MDOT combined properties to offer 39 acres for redevelopment around New Carrolton in a joint Request for Qualifications that was issued in September 2010. Following a rigorous evaluation of five groups that responded to the solicitation, the selection team unanimously chose the Forest City/Urban Atlantic Development team to lead the project.

The agreement also includes a new approach to funding predevelopment planning, with MDOT making available $350,000 and Metro agreeing to reimburse the development team for up to $650,000 of consultant costs to support station development planning. Together, MDOT and developer-provided funds will pay for the design of the public and private elements of New Carrollton development and for the inclusion of Metro, MDOT and community stakeholders as active participants in the process.

FRA’s rail cellphone ban kicks in March 28

The Federal Railroad Administration’s ban on the use of cellphones and other electronic devices — personal and carrier-issued — becomes permanent Monday, March 28.
The ban applies to all on-duty train crew members.

Here are highlights of the permanent ban:

* The ban prohibits the use of an electronic device — whether personal or railroad supplied — if it interferes with that employee’s or another employee’s performance of safety-related duties. This means while the train is moving, a member of the crew is on the ground or riding rolling equipment during switching, or any railroad employee is assisting in the preparation of the train for movement.
* While railroad-supplied electronic devices may not be used by the engineer while the train is moving, they may be used by the conductor for authorized business purposes in the cab if use does not interfere with performance of safety-related duties, a safety briefing is conducted that includes all crew members, and all crew members agree that it is safe to use the railroad-supplied electronic device.
* There is no exception for personal or medical emergencies, such as to check on an ill or injured family member.
* The ban includes use of personal global positioning service (GPS) devices.
* The use of calculators is permitted for determining formulas such as train stopping calculations or tons per operative brake.
* Stand-alone cameras (not part of a cellphone or other electronic device) are permitted to document a safety hazard or a violation of a rail safety law, regulation order or standard. The camera must be turned off immediately after use. Stand-alone cameras may not be used by the engineer for the above purposes when the train is in motion.
* Crew members may use railroad-supplied multi-functional devices that include a camera for authorized business purposes as specified by the railroad in writing and only after being approved by the FRA. An engineer is banned from using such a device when the train is in motion. The railroad-supplied device must be turned off immediately after use.
* Deadheading crews may use personal electronic devices when not in the cab of the controlling locomotive and such use does not compromise the safety of any operating employee or the safety duties of another operating employee. But when in the cab of the controlling locomotive, deadheading employees are prohibited from using any electronic devices and they must be turned off and the earpiece must be removed.
* Personal medical devices such as hearing aids and blood sugar monitors may be used, but must be consistent with the railroad’s standards for medical fitness for duty.
* A passenger train conductor or assistant conductor may use a railroad-supplied electronic or electrical device for an approved business purpose while on duty within the body of a passenger train or railroad business car. Use of the device shall not interfere with the responsibility to call or acknowledge any signal, inspect any passing train or perform any other safety-sensitive duty assigned under the railroad’s operating rules and special instructions.
* A passenger-train conductor or assistant conductor located inside the cab may use a GPS application or a railroad-supplied camera if the crew has held a safety briefing and all crewmembers have unanimously agreed that it is safe to use the device.
* A passenger-train crewmember outside the cab of a locomotive may use a railroad-supplied camera to photograph a safety hazard if it is for an authorized business purpose and does not interfere with safety-related duties.
* Railroads have the right to implement their own more stringent rules on the use of electronic devices; but railroads may not liberalize any provisions of the FRA permanent ban.
* The ban does not subject engineers or conductors (when conductor certification is implemented) to revocation of their certification for a violation of the ban.
* The FRA has authority under the law to subpoena cellphone records from a cellphone provider.

Canadian government unveils Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy

Canadian government officials reviewed plans for the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy, a modern, competitive and integrated air, rail, marine and road transportation network that provides a quick, reliable and secure transportation network between North American markets and markets in Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia via the Suez Canal.

"The Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy ensures our region has the infrastructure and regulations necessary to build the robust, competitive economy Atlantic Canada needs to prosper in the 21st century," said Minister of State for the Atlantic Gateway Keith Ashfield. "Our government is proud to work with our provincial partners and members of the Gateway Council to move this strategy forward and make these prudent investments in Atlantic Canada."

"The Government of Canada is proud to launch the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy," said Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Chuck Strahl. "Working together with the private sector, we’ll make Atlantic Canada a preferred choice for international commerce coming to or leaving the East Coast of North America."
Following recent transportation funding announcements in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada is releasing an additional $2.5 million specifically for marketing the Atlantic Gateway, a key priority for increasing international trade through the region. With the new investment, more than $200 million from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund has been committed to support the region’s strategic trade-related transportation system.

The Atlantic Gateway connects to and seamlessly integrates with Canada’s other gateways, and with transportation systems that reach across North America.

CSXT highlights strong results in 2010 Annual Report

In 2010, CSX Transportation achieved its best year ever in safety, operating income, operating ratio and earnings per share while helping customers regain their competitive position after a tough recessionary period. At the same time, the company has stood by its customers with an $8.3 billion infrastructure investment from 2006 to 2010 and an additional $2 billion investment is planned for 2011.

"CSX employees are performing extremely well as the economy continues to recover, just as they did during the worst of the recession," Michael Ward, chairman, president and chief executive officer said in his annual report letter to shareholders. "Together we are embarking on something truly special – creating a new chapter in a storied industry while generating substantial economic benefits for customers, the nation and you, our shareholders."

CSXT’s 2011 Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 2501 Worldgateway Place, Detroit, Mich.

 

UP wins GM Best Supplier award

General Motors honored Union Pacific with a 2010 Supplier of the Year award at its annual awards presentation.

Each year, General Motors compiles a list of its most exceptional global suppliers. Union Pacific, the only railroad to receive the award, exemplified all four of the key criteria:

• Innovative technology
• Superior quality
• Outstanding launch support
• Competitive total enterprise cost solutions

"Union Pacific is honored to be recognized for our contributions to General Motors’ parts and vehicle transportation," said Julie Krehbiel, Union Pacific vice president and general manager Automotive. "A dedicated team effort, focused on delivering value through responsiveness and exceptional service, made earning this award possible. Our goal is to continue to provide value to General Motors by providing safe and reliable service while developing innovative freight transportation solutions."

Cole appointed to RRF Board

The Railroad Research Foundation selected Sharon Stewart Cole, Ph.D., to serve as the senior program director and assistant secretary of the Board.

"Dr. Cole brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her position. I look forward to working with her to further the research agenda of America’s freight railroads," said RRF Board President Edward Hamberger.

 

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.

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