Roadway collapse halts portion of Confederation Line tunneling
A roadway collapse has halted tunneling operations for Ottawa’s Confederation Line light-rail project at the East Portal. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
Safety
U.S. freight railroads, USDOT launch industry wide crude by rail safety initiative
Major freight railroads in the United States joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing a rail operations safety initiative that will institute new voluntary operating practices for moving crude oil by rail.
Metrolink begins PTC revenue service demonstration
Metrolink has begun a Positive Train Control (PTC) revenue service demonstration (RSD) under the authority of BNSF in California. Metrolink operated PTC RSD on Orange County Line train 686 February 20, however, the first revenue service train to offer the technology was 91 Line train 700 February 17.
FRA revises defective rail and rail inspection standards, adds new standards for detector car operators
Changes are scheduled for March 25, 2014.
FRA fields track inspection requests from New Hampshire, North Dakota delegations
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has been asked by elected officials in New Hampshire and North Dakota to step up track inspections along routes that transport hazardous materials in an effort to insure rail safety to communities along the lines.
TC&W rejects freight relocation proposal for Southwest LRT
Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) rejected a proposal to relocate Minneapolis area freight rail service after reviewing a technical analysis prepared by a South Dakota engineering firm. The proposed relocation would move freight service from the Kenilworth Corridor to a St. Louis Park route to make way for the Metropolitan Council’s Southwest light-rail project.
CN’s 2014 capital plan flirts with US$2-billion mark
Canadian National‘s 2014 capital plan includes an investment of approximately CA$2.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) to continue to raise network safety and efficiency, improve service and grow the business.
NTSB issues recommendations to Metro-North regarding use of recorders and speed signs
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of safety recommendations to Metro-North Railroad calling for the use of inward and outward facing audio and image recorders and the installation of approach permanent speed restriction signs along the rights-of-way.
RTA, UIUC sponsoring two educational events
In June 2014, the Railway Tie Association (RTA) and the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) will host joint activities that will provide educational and networking opportunities relating to crossties and fastening systems. These events are expected to draw domestic and international attendees that include rail infrastructure component designers, manufacturers, researchers, and end users such as Class I’s and transit operators.
Pasadena to Azusa Foothill Extension more than half way complete
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority says that its 11.5-mile extension from Pasadena to Azusa is now more than halfway to project completion.
Second rail-focused UTC opens in Texas
The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, officially opening the new University Transportation Center (UTC) for Railway Safety, which was made possible through a two-year, $3-million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Sound Transit to host open house on Tacoma Trestle project
Sound Transit will conduct an open house on February 13 to provide the public an early opportunity to learn about the proposed concepts for replacing the aging Tacoma Trestle, a timber bridge east of Freighthouse Square, which was originally constructed more than 100 years ago and will be replaced with a modern, concrete, double-track structure.
Tutor Perini awarded two MTA East Side Access contracts
Tutor Perini Corporation has been awarded two contracts by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for portions of the East Side Access (ESA) project, collectively valued at approximately $844 million.
Wabtec to acquire Fandstan Electric Group
Wabtec Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fandstan Electric Group Ltd., a rail and industrial equipment manufacturer, for about $215 million. Wabtec expects the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2014, subject to closing conditions and competition authority clearance.
Transport Canada proposes new grade crossing regulations
Transport Canada has proposed grade crossings regulations that would establish new safety standards for federally-regulated grade crossings.
PATH lays out plan for PTC work
Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH) says it is on track to meet the federal government’s December 2015 deadline for implementing positive train control (PTC) with work to begin on February 14.
UP plans $3.9 billion capital program; Fritz named president and COO
Union Pacific‘s Board of Directors approved its 2014 capital spending plan of approximately $3.9 billion, up about $300 million versus 2013, driven primarily by the acquisition of 200 locomotives compared to 100 locomotives purchased in 2013 and somewhat higher capacity investments.
Sen. Heitkamp secures commitment from FRA for Casselton track inspection program
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) secured a commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to deploy a new track inspection program to Casselton, the site where a recent derailment occurred and where four derailments have taken place in nine years.
Houston METRO tests Green and Purple Line tracks
Houston Metro‘s new East End (Green) Line tracks have been undergoing tests by dragging a light-rail vehicle up and down the track with a diesel-powered-shuttle, and crews have been performing live-wiring testing. The test covers 2.3 miles of the 3.3-mile tracks.
CTA awards station rehab contract
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board of Directors awarded a $25.6-million design/build contract to F. H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen and Associates, LLC, for the rehabilitation of the Damen, Western and California stations to improve and upgrade the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line.