Ballast, Ties, Rail
Extending weld life
Service providers ramp up their efforts to enhance the welding process and improve the life of each weld.
Union Pacific performing work at Missouri/Iowa border
Union Pacific will strengthen its transportation infrastructure in Missouri by investing nearly $15 million in the rail line between the Missouri/Iowa border and Trenton. The project began July 9 and is scheduled to be completed the mid-August.
Rocla acquires KSA concrete tie business
Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., manufacturer of prestressed concrete crossties, has acquired KSA Limited Partnership, a joint venture owned by Koppers Inc. and Lehigh Hanson, Inc.
CTA Purple Line Express to get $30 million improvement project
The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Purple Line Express is set to receive $30 million for improvement to tracks between Lawrence and Jarvis stations, the latest, CTA says, in its ongoing investment in the Purple Line to improve service for customers.
SEPTA plans second trolley tunnel blitz for end of the month
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) forces will work around the clock during a 16-day Trolley Tunnel outage starting July 31, performing maintenance and construction work.
CSX completes annual safety and maintenance Jamboree
CSX successfully completed its 17th annual Maintenance Jamboree, a track safety and maintenance blitz that completes months of rail, tie, signal and bridge work on key rail corridors in a single week.
Senate hearing focuses on technology’s role in transportation
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security held a hearing on July 7 taking on the role technology plays in transportation systems.
Archer Western to build Orlando airport rail infrastructure for All Aboard Florida
All Aboard Florida named Archer Western Construction Manager for the rail infrastructure at Orlando International Airport. Archer Western led the construction for SunRail and is also a key contractor building the people mover between Orlando International Airport’s north and south terminals.
DTE Energy rail project to eliminate crossing
DTE Energy says a project to extend a rail line in its rail yard at West Jefferson and Van Horn in Trenton, Mich., will improve safety and traffic flow for local motorists.
UP performing track renewal in Illinois
Union Pacific released details of a $6 million project being performed on the rail line between Hillsboro and South Roxana, Ill. The project, which is part of the $119 million the railroad plans to spend in Illinois this year, began June 24 and is scheduled to be completed the end of July.
KCS commits more than $20 million to line improvements in Missouri and Illinois
Kansas City Southern (KCS) will invest approximately $20.9 million in 2015 on construction and improvement projects on the Mexico and Roodhouse Subdivisions, with work planned between Clark, Mo., and Roodhouse, Ill.
RIDOT, Amtrak kick off platform and track project
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Amtrak are beginning work on a platform and track project in South County that officials say will improve operations in the Northeast and long-term transit planning in Rhode Island.
SCVTA using Tire Derived Aggregate as vibration reducing material
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) says it makes every effort to be a good neighbor and steward of the earth.
Oldcastle Precast, Stacy & Witbeck partner on vibration dampening light-rail
Oldcastle Precast collaborated with Stacy & Witbeck and Sound Transit in the engineering and manufacture of a 450-foot long prototype section of precast concrete “floating” rail.
EPW Committee hopes to DRIVE surface transportation bill through Senate
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee introduced a six-year, $278-billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal on June 23, S.1647, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act.
Blitzes, new machinery help KCS crews focus on safety
Kansas City Southern (KCS) says transportation and safety teams from Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) and KCS met in Laredo, Texas, for a safety blitz, which covered observation and testing of safety behaviors, such as slip trip and fall prevention and switching techniques; star rules for vehicles, equipment and tools inspections; securing equipment and air brake testing and General Code of Operating Rules, such as shove movements and safe and efficient switching.
L&I, CSX complete agreement on joint infrastructure upgrade project
Louisville & Indiana Railroad (L&I), a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH), and CSX completed an agreement that grants CSX a permanent easement to operate over the L&I’s 106-mile rail corridor between Indianapolis, Ind., and Louisville, Ky.
NCRIA approves more than $1.1 million in grants to help with rail access
North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (NCRIA) approved four grants totaling more than $1.1 million that will improve rail access for businesses in the state.
CHSRA awards design-build contract to Dragados USA/Flatiron JV
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) awarded a $1.23-billion contract to construct a 60-plus mile portion of high-speed rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco to the joint venture team of Dragados USA and Flatiron.