KCS’ Starling details infrastructure and equipment investment
Kansas City Southern President and CEO David Starling reviews 2011 and plans the next year’s progress for KCS.
Ballast, Ties, Rail
CN and United Steelworkers reach tentative agreement for maintenance-of-way employees
Canadian National and the United Steelworkers Local 2004 have reached a tentative agreement to renew the labor contract for approximately 2,800 maintenance-of-way employees in Canada. The current agreement is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2011.
FASTRACK coming to NYCT
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to introduce FASTRACK, a new way of working on the rails. Beginning Monday, January 9, the 4, 5 and 6 lines will be shut down from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., suspending all Lexington Avenue Line service between Grand Central-42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue in both directions for four consecutive weeknights.
Rail-related projects receive $279 million in TIGER funds
United States Department of Transportation awarded $511 million in TIGER III discretionary grants to 46 capital construction projects in 33 states, of which $279 million of funding will go to rail-related projects.
Sound Transit receives $10 million for South 200th street extension project
The U.S Department of Transportation awarded $10 million in TIGER funding to Seattle area’s Sound Transit in support of constructing an extension of Link light rail from Sea-Tac Airport to South 200th Street.
CP completes first year of infrastructure upgrades to enhance northern network
Canadian Pacific has completed the first year of infrastructure enhancements as part of an aggressive three-year plan to upgrade its North Main Line between Winnipeg, MB, and Edmonton, AB, Canada.
North Dakota receives $10 million for line near Devils Lake
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $10 million in federal resources to help upgrade the rail line near Devils Lake, N.D. These federal resources will be added to additional funding the state’s congressional delegation worked to secure from Amtrak and BNSF to help cover the cost for the project, which many deem critical to regional commerce.
DART takes next steps to direct DFW Airport connection
Dallas Area Rapid Transit is making the final push to DFW Airport with the award of a design-build contract to construct a 5.2-mile extension of the Orange Line from the future Belt Line Station to the airport’s Terminal A. A joint venture of Kiewit, Stacy and Witbeck, Reyes, Parsons (KSWRP) was selected by the DART Board of Directors to complete the $149,750,000 project known as Irving-3 (I-3).
Michigan receives $150 million to expand HSR in Midwest
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $150 million to the Michigan Department of Transportation for a high-speed rail project that will increase the safety and reliability of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit and Chicago and put more than 800 Americans back to work this spring.
Caltrans receives $21 million grant for Surfliner Corridor
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $21 million to the California Department of Transportation for engineering to begin on three projects to improve Southern California’s Pacific Surfliner Corridor.
Wabtec acquires Fulmer Company
Wabtec Corporation has acquired Fulmer Company, manufacturer of motor components for rail, power generation and other industrial markets. Based in Export, Pa., Fulmer has annual sales of about $15 million. Wabtec expects the transaction to be accretive in the first year.
MassDOT names new manager for South Coast Rail Project
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey appointed Jean Fox manager of the South Coast Rail project. A Freetown resident, who serves on the Board of Selectmen, Fox has worked at the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board since 2007.
“We have built positive state and local partnerships during the planning process for South Coast Rail and with Jean’s strong connection to the community, we anticipate these will continue,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “South Coast Rail is a priority that will deliver real economic benefits for the region for decades to come and I look forward to working with Jean as we move this project forward.”
As manager of the project to bring commuter rail service to Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton, Fox’s responsibilities will include securing funding for construction and operation of the lines, shepherding the project through the environmental review and permitting process and keeping the public fully engaged throughout the design phase.
“South Coast Rail is a priority for the Patrick-Murray Administration and the communities in the region,” said Fox. “My predecessor, Kristina Egan, made great strides during her tenure in catalyzing public engagement and enthusiasm for commuter rail service that will build on the region’s many assets. This project will also enhance growth an opportunities for South Coast residents and businesses.”
She begins her new job at MassDOT September 12.
SFMTA receives $20 million in federal funds for Central Subway project
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency received $20 million in federal funds for Phase II of the Third Street Light-Rail Project, the Central Subway. In addition to these funds, the SFMTA will send to the Federal Transit Administration the final submittal for the New Starts Full Funding Grant Agreement by September 19.
“The momentum continues to build for San Francisco’s Central SubwayPproject because it will expand transit options in the heart of the city,” said Jerry Lee, vice chairman of the SFMTA Board of Directors. “The city’s transportation infrastructure serves as the lifeblood of our expanding industries as well as our vibrant neighborhoods and the residents, visitors and employees that support them.”
“The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce continues to support the Central Subway Project for the simple reason that it will improve San Francisco’s economic growth,” said Jim Lazarus, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of public policy. “Economic growth does not happen by accident. A great workforce and the right policies bring businesses to the City; well-planned infrastructure makes it possible for them to thrive here.”
The project will serve as an engine for economic growth and recovery in San Francisco, creating thousands of job opportunities as the project moves into the construction phase.
During these difficult economic times, the progress and development of the Central Subway will employ thousands of individuals throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Furthermore, the improved service will decrease transit travel times, relieve congestion, enhance the environment and stimulate economic activity along the corridor.
The project has consistently received positive reviews as part of the FTA’s New Starts program. The new infusion of $20 million from the program means that Central Subway has received $92.4 million in New Starts funds to date. The total project cost (with contingency) is expected to be $1.57 billion, with the federal government contributing close to $1 billion.
The SFMTA continues to work closely with its funding partners: the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the leadership in Sacramento and the FTA. This collaboration has leveraged state and local funds to secure $942.2 million in federal New Starts funding for this project that would otherwise be unavailable to San Francisco for any other project.
UP opens western Wyoming rail yard
Union Pacific Railroad representatives, customers and community leaders from western Wyoming officially opened a new $24 million rail yard about 20 miles west of Green River on May 19. The rail yard provides vital support for the nation’s economic growth and shipping the products American families and businesses use every day.
Major Crescent Corridor improvements completed
A critical choke point on Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor has been eliminated with a reconfigured rail junction near Front Royal, Va. This was the final and most complex of six capacity improvement projects in Northern Virginia to handle more trains at higher speeds.
L.B. Foster extends tender offer for Portec Rail Products
L.B. Foster Company said it is extending its previously announced cash tender offer, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Foster Thomas Company, for all outstanding shares of common stock of Portec Rail Products, Inc., until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on August 30, 2010. The tender offer was previously set to expire at midnight, New York City time on August 16, 2010.
Racine firm devises sophisticated machinery for nation’s train lines
When railroads were first stretching their tentacles across vast new parts of this country, each new expanse of track was bought with Herculean human labor, the Racine, Wis., Journal-Times reports. No longer. Maintaining and replacing the rails still requires manpower, but far less of it. Mechanization has replaced much of what the gandy dancer and the sledgehammer achieved.