Holland acquires The Bankhead Companies
Holland LP has acquired the operating assets of The Bankhead Companies, based in Atlanta, Ga.
Track Construction
NJDOT grants more than $20 million for rail projects
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), through its Rail Freight Assistance Program, doled out more than $20 million in grants for rail improvement projects throughout the state.
IntegriCo expands operations into Louisiana
IntegriCo Composites plans to open its new manufacturing facility in Springill, La., July 2015. Engineering and equipment installation is underway today and is being managed by the Southland Process group out of Atlanta, Ga.
NYCT’s FASTRACK returns to Manhattan and Queens
On March 30, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the E, F, M and R lines in Manhattan and Queens.
MBTA suspends weekend service on Fitchburg Line to perform track upgrades
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to suspend weekend service on the Fitchburg Line from April 25 until November 22.
Arizona DOT gets federal OK on environmental assessment for grade separation
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), in partnership with the city of Maricopa, Union Pacific and the Federal Highway Administration, has received federal approval for the proposed bridge project on State Route 347 over the railroad crossing, clearing the way for the project to move forward when funding is available.
Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate
Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Portland-Milwaukie light-rail construction finishing up
Oregon’s TriMet said construction activities surrounding the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project are now “substantially complete” with some intermittent work taking place this summer.
WSOR begins track rehab to restore service between Plymouth and Kohler
The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) broke ground March 24 to reconstruct nearly 11 miles of state-owned freight rail track between Plymouth and Kohler, Wis.
LIRR begins work to replace Colonial Road Bridge
The Long Island Rail Road’s $45-million Colonial Road Improvement Project is now underway. The Colonial Road Bridge will close to vehicular traffic March 30 and contractors prepare to demolish the 115-year old bridge that spans the tracks in the Village of Thomaston near the LIRR’s Great Neck Station.
CN continues major rehabilitation work on Quebec Bridge
Canadian National has planned its annual major work program for the Quebec Bridge.
Low Level Road Project completion clears way for additional train capacity
The Low Level Road Project in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, is now complete.
CTDOT, Metro-North plan spring bridge and maintenance work on New Haven Line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Metro-North Railroad this spring will be making critical repairs on the Devon Bridge on the New Haven commuter rail line and doing maintenance work on the line’s Waterbury Branch.
Proposed TRAIN Act would reform environmental permitting process for rail projects
U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which the senators say will reform the environmental permitting process for rail projects in order to facilitate a more efficient way to approve rail infrastructure.
AXION ties to be used in transit station and yard rehabilitation project
AXION International Holdings, Inc., received $1 million in orders for ECOTRAX® rail ties to be installed in a northeast-based transit line’s rail yard and station.
KCS plan $18 million in work on Laredo Subdivision
Kansas City Southern is investing approximately $18 million in construction and improvement projects on its Laredo Subdivision from Laredo to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Central, Maine & Quebec: Revive, rebuild
Central Maine & Quebec management faced a massive rebuilding effort of the railroad’s infrastructure, its safety culture and its community relationships.
First tracks installed for SCVTA BART extension
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) celebrated another milestone for the Bay Area Rapid Transportation’s Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension as joint venture
contractor Skanska, Shimmick, Herzog (SSH) recently installed the first set of tracks.
Rep. Denham tours Colton Crossing project in California
U.S. Rep. and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Jeff Denham (R-CA) joined representatives from HDR, Inc., and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of the Colton Crossing Rail-to-Rail Grade Separation Project.
AXION receives orders for ECOTRAX® Tunnel-Tie System
AXION International Holdings, Inc., received $1.71 million in orders for plated ECOTRAX® tunnel ties from Eastern Rail Corporation for a northeast-based transit line.