North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple said he is pleased with actions taken by BNSF in response to the comprehensive review and analysis of rail operations and infrastructure around Casselton, N.D., following the Nov. 13 derailment, the second derailment in the area within the last year.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) will be performing a major switch renewal and maintenance-related work on the B, Q and F lines in Brooklyn for two consecutive weeks beginning November 21 until December 1.
BNSF ‘s planned capital expenditures for 2015 will be $6 billion, which will go toward maintenance and expansion of the railroad in order to meet the expected demand for freight rail service.
Union Pacific will strengthen Colorado’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $11 million in the rail line between Sterling and near Messex, Colo. The project, which is funded entirely by Union Pacific, began November 8 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.
Union Pacific will strengthen Illinois’ transportation infrastructure by investing $12 million in the rail line between West Chicago and Franklin Grove. The project began October 1 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-December.
On November 13, 2014, an eastbound BNSF train carrying lumber and paper product in Casselton, N.D., derailed 21 cars that subsequently struck a passing westbound train derailing 12 empty tank cars. BNSF said the underlying cause of the derailment appears to be a broken rail. No injuries were reported.
BNSF crews worked through the night to clear the area and opened both tracks late November 14. BNSF is working with the Federal Railroad Administration to learn what factors led to the break. The railroad said the track was visually inspected earlier November 13 with no issues and has been regularly inspected in accord with BNSF’s track inspection program, which complies with federal standards.
BNSF stated, “As we continue working to understand what occurred in this incident, we will also undertake a broad-based review of the infrastructure in this vicinity to assure the residents of Casselton of its integrity.”
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is urging BNSF to perform an exhaustive inspection of the track system in the Casselton area.
“I was pleased to hear that Matt Rose plans to have BNSF make a special priority to perform a complete analysis of rail track both east and west of Casselton,” Dalrymple said. “He assured me that the analysis will be comprehensive and will include a thorough inspection of rail, base, ties, crossing areas and other infrastructure.
“While we continue to press the railroad industry to improve rail safety, we are also moving forward on safer rail tank cars and a stronger state role in rail inspections,” Dalrymple said.
Two North American companies won top honors for Bentley System, Inc.’s Be Inspired Awards, part of Bentley’s annual Year in Infrastructure Conference, held in London, U.K., Nov. 4-6. Bentley provides software solutions to engineers, architects and constructors for sustaining intelligent infrastructure. The awards recognize users’ efforts to improve the world’s infrastructure.
The East, Gold and the Northwest Rail Westminster Segment of the Regional Transportation District of Denver’s (RTD) Eagle P3 project are in full construction and preparing for the testing and commissioning phase that will start in late spring of 2015.
Metrolinx in Toronto, Canada, will upgrade and modernize the entire signaling system within the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) starting next year, an improvement that will provide long-term benefits to both transit operations and customers.
Leaders of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) joined federal, state and local elected officials in the Mid-Wilshire District of Los Angeles Nov. 7 to break ground on the Purple Line Extension Project.
On November 10, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit’s (NYCT) FASTRACK program returns to the F line between Greenwich Village in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.
BNSF celebrated the opening of a new $45-million logistic center in Sweetwater, Texas, November 6. The logistic center, capable of supporting rail, truck and transload services, will accommodate several industries, including agricultural commodities, sand, pipe and aggregate.
Koppers Holdings Inc. appointed Leroy Ball to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2015, as part of its long-term strategic planning process.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Blue Line Pacific Coast Highway and Anaheim stations in Long Beach will each receive a second canopy along with improvements, such as lighting, new paint, replacement of worn or damaged tiles and the installation of new tracks and track beds.
On November 3, 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 for four consecutive weeknights. E service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and World Trade Center; F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Av. and 21 St-Queensbridge; M service will end early between 71 Av. and Essex St. each night and R service will end early between 71 Av. and 36 St. in Brooklyn each night.
Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million to fund 86 multimodal projects in 35 counties in the state, including nine rail-specific projects.
Construction has started on the $29.8-million Amtrak Rochester Intermodal Station in Rochester, N.Y., which will reduce regional delays by expanding track service at the station, increase functionality through a new and redesigned concourse and enhance the overall passenger experience in the larger, modern station. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
L.B. Foster Company plans to acquire the railroad tuning unit, FWO, of Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH. The German business provides track lubrication and switch roller equipment for international railway applications.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named David Mayer as the agency’s new chief safety officer.
October 27th, 2014, marks the 110th anniversary of the New York City Transit subway system. The first train ran north from City Hall to 145th Street and Broadway. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) notes that the New York City Transit system that now benefits 5.8 million daily customers sprang from a single line that didn’t leave the confines of Manhattan.
