Union Pacific plans rail replacement project near Chicago

Union Pacific will begin a major rail replacement project September 15 on its West Line, which serves freight and Metra passenger trains in Illinois.

IP Automation hosts Rep. Lamborn

U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05) joined representatives from IP Automation and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of IP Automation’s manufacturing facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., on August 29.

Overpass opening marks completion of Roberts Bank Rail Corridor improvements

The official opening of the Mufford Crescent overpass marks the official completion of all nine Roberts Bank Rail Corridor (RBRC) infrastructure improvement projects in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada.

NYCT reopens Greenpoint Tube following five-week closure for repairs

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (NYCT) G Line service was restored on September 2 after a five-week suspension between Court Square and Nassau Avenue for maintenance crews to make Fix&Fortify resiliency repairs to the tubes, which were flooded and badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy nearly two years ago.

Maryland DOT terminates agreement, pulls funding of CSX Morrell Park facility

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) said on Aug. 28 that it has terminated its agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc., and CSX Intermodal Terminals, Inc., (CSX) to attempt location of the Baltimore Rail Intermodal Facility at Morrell Park and has pulled all state funding from the project.

UP invests $20 million in Kansas’ infrastructure; begins double track project in Texas

Union Pacific will strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $20 million in the rail line between Topeka and Kansas City, Kan. The project, funded entirely by Union Pacific, began June 16 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.

Oklahoma plans $100-million grade crossing safety initiative

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin are implementing a new initiative to fast-track hundreds of projects to improve more than 300 rail crossings statewide and upgrade safety warning features on rail crossings.

Rocla opens new crosstie manufacturing facility

Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. (RCTI), supplier of pre-stressed concrete ties, has opened a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in San Jose Iturbide, Mexico.

Met Council receives federal OK to begin design of Blue Line extension

The Metropolitan Council received federal approval to begin designing the METRO Blue Line Extension northwest of Minneapolis, Minn., the region’s fourth light-rail transit project. Future approvals needed include approval to enter Final Engineering (anticipated late 2016) and approval of the Full Funding Grant Agreement (anticipated in 2018).

Massachusetts to purchase rail line for Knowledge Corridor project

The commonwealth of Massachusetts plans to purchase the Knowledge Corridor rail line between East Northfield and Springfield from Pan Am Southern, a joint venture of Pan Am and Norfolk Southern.

Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal construction contract awarded

The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners awarded a $13.3-million construction contract to Hard Rock Construction LLC for the Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal improvement project. Hard Rock Construction, of Metairie, La., was the lowest of eight bidders.

LACMTA prepares for Blue Line station and track overhaul

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will begin work on a major upgrade and modernization of the Blue Line in downtown Long Beach September 20.

Next phase of LIRR’s Massapequa Station improvements scheduled

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) $40-million improvement project at Massapequa Station will enter its next phase August 25 with work shifting to the station’s east end.

Track rehabilitation results in higher speeds along KCS’ Gulfport to Hattiesburg Line

Effective September 1, Kansas City Southern will increase train speed on portions of its line from Gulfport to Hattiesburg, Miss., from 25 miles per hour to 49 miles per hour.

Illinois grade separation in Lynwood breaks ground

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn joined local and state officials August 19 to break ground on a $29.6-million grade separation project in Lynwood, Ill., which will improve traffic flow and safety at the U.S. Route 30 and Canadian National crossing.

TSB: Systemic problems lead to Lac-Mégantic train accident; additional safety measures needed

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation into the July 2013 Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA) train derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, concluded that a number of factors led to the accident.

NCDOT, CLNA complete Greenville Transload Project

On August 19, N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials helped drive the final spike on the Greenville Transload Project, located next to the Pitt County Landfill in west Greenville. The $290,000-project provides a new siding track adjacent to the existing rail line that will allow local companies to receive and unload their products via the Carolina Coastal Railway (CLNA).

SCVTA plans for receipt of $39 million for BART Silicon Valley project

On August 20, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) is expected to receive the sixth and final allocation from the state of California’s Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) for SCVTA’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley project.

DART begins Orange Line service to DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officially launched light-rail passenger service August 18, connecting downtown Dallas to DFW Airport with the arrival of DART Orange Line trains into the DFW Airport Station.

Port of East St. Louis road and rail project breaks ground

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was joined by local and state officials August 14 to break ground on a new $7-million multimodal transportation project that will service the future Port of East St. Louis. The state-funded project will increase access, create jobs and establish utility service to the area.

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