Foothill Gold Line completes work at 14 crossings ahead of schedule

On the heels of last week’s completion of all light rail track installation for the Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority has achieved another major milestone for the project – completion of all 14 grade crossings for the 11.5-mile light-rail extension, three months ahead of schedule.

FASTRACK comes to the Lexington Av. Line

On October 27, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) brings FASTRACK to the 4, 5 and 6 lines in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Service on all three lines will be suspended in both directions between Grand Central-42 St. and Atlantic Av.-Barclays Ctr. for four consecutive weeknights until October 31.

Construction begins on Chicago-Moline rail service

Construction has started on the new passenger rail route connecting Chicago and Moline, Ill. The $23 million in improvements underway at the BNSF’s Eola Yard in Aurora, Ill., are made possible by funds from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) $177-million grant toward the project, as well as $78 million in matching funds provided by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program.

Axion receives West Coast switch tie order

Axion International Holdings, Inc., received a purchase order from a major West Coast based transit line. The purchase order calls for approximately $377,000 in switch ECOTRAX 100 percent recycled ties for 26 turnouts.

Metro Gold Line celebrates project milestone

The Foothill Gold Line project from Pasadena to Azusa, Calif., celebrated construction completion of the light-rail track systems for the 11.5-mile project.

London Trackwork Inc. wins supply contract for Confederation Line

London Trackwork Inc. has been awarded the supply contract for special trackwork for the Confederation Line in Ottawa, ON, Canada. The contract, worth several million dollars, will take one-and-a-half years to complete.

AECOM completes acquisition of URS Corporation

AECOM completed its acquisition of URS Corporation on Oct. 17, 2014, following approval of the merger agreement by URS’ stockholders and the stock issuance proposal by AECOM’s stockholders at each company’s respective special stockholder meetings held on Oct. 16, 2014.

FEIS, ROD issued for CREATE’s 75th Street CIP

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners and the Federal Highway Administration announced the availability of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (75th Street CIP).

CN officially opens Illinois training facility

Canadian National (CN) opened a new employee training center in suburban Chicago. The 55,000-square-foot facility will host up to 250 CN students from across the United States every week, with hands-on training for all key railway jobs.

Wisconsin awards funds to six freight projects

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has approved six freight rail improvement projects totaling more than $24 million in grants and loans. The goal of Wisconsin’s freight railroad assistance program is to increase the use of rail transportation and support economic development and job creation.

CTC allocates $78 million to BART maintenance shop and yard improvements project

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $1 billion to repair its transportation system and alleviate traffic delays statewide, including $78 million to Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) for its maintenance shop and yard improvements project.

SCVTA marks BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension milestone

On October 13, Hostetter Road at the intersection of the future Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) corridor fully re-opened from two lanes to three lanes in each direction, marking the completion of an important milestone on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension project.

HDR wins Sound Transit East Link contract

Sound Transit has awarded HDR its construction management services contract for East Link’s light rail Bellevue Segment. Voters approved the measure to construct and operate a light-rail transit system in the Puget Sound region.

Mizzou professor looks to tackle challenge of why weeds like crossings

A plant scientist at the University of Missouri, Reid Smeda, has been working for more than a decade to help make railroad crossings safer through vegetation management with herbicides.

Rock Hill recapitalizes Rail Services & Logistics; acquires Rail Tie Solutions’ assets

Rock Hill Capital Group has completed a majority recapitalization of Rail Service & Logistics, LLC (RSL), a railroad services provider involved in the removal and disposal of wood crossties.

Axion receives fourth tie order from Russia

Axion International Holdings, Inc., has received its fourth purchase order for ECOTRAX® rail ties to be shipped to Russia for its transit system.

UP plans classification yard in Robertson County, Texas

Union Pacific says it will move forward with plans for a new rail yard in Robertson County, Texas, that will strengthen Texas as a national freight transportation hub, create jobs and deliver significant economic stimulus to the region.

Houston METRO delays opening of two light rail lines to 2015

The opening date for Houston METRO‘s new East End (Green) and Southeast (Purple) Lines have been revised. Issues affecting completion of the additional 10 miles of rail include problems on non-METRO construction projects in the central business district and the performance of equipment used to regulate METRO’s light-rail traffic.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for LACMTA Regional Connector

Los Angeles Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Regional Connector, a two-mile light-rail transit segment connecting three existing transit lines in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

SCVTA receives funds for Mountain View Double Track Project

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission allocated $8 million in federal funding for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track Project.

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