SANDAG opens new San Diego River rail bridge
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) opened a new rail bridge over the San Diego River to traffic on Monday, Feb. 5.
Bridges/Tunnels
Loram to acquire GREX
Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc., and Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX) have completed a definitive merger agreement where Loram will acquire all outstanding shares of GREX.
PANYNJ to study two alternatives to improve freight movement
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has moved into the second phase of environmental review for the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Program.
BNSF details $3.3B capital program for 2018
BNSF Railway has released details about its 2018 capital plan of $3.3 billion, noting that it reflects a continued focus on maintaining its network, as well as expansion projects aimed at meeting customer demands.
California rail providers receive $52M in state funding
The California State Transportation Agency awarded $51.9 million in State Rail Assistance program funding to seven recipients. The funds are made possible by the passage of state Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) last year.
New BNSF bridge successfully moved into place
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (OKDOT) successfully moved two BNSF bridge spans into place the weekend of Jan. 26-28 in a complicated maneuver that was part of a highway expansion project.
UP’s planned 2018 capital program up 6%
Union Pacific will target a 2018 capital plan of approximately $3.3 billion, pending final approval from its Board of Directors.
NS targets $1.8B capital plan in 2018
Norfolk Southern plans a capital program of $1.845 billion in 2018, continuing what the railroad calls a balanced deployment of capital.
Bergmann taps rail lead as VP
Bergmann, a national engineering firm, has named George Kevgas, PE, as its new vice president of infrastructure for the firm’s Atlantic region.
Capacity, equipment, tech investments drive record CN capital program
Canadian National plans a CA$3.2 billion (US$2.59 billion) capital program in 2018; a record for the railroad, as well as an increase of approximately 23 percent over its 2017 program.
LACMTA retires TBM mining Regional Connector tunnels
Boring work for the two tunnels that are part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project has been completed and the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for the work is being retired.
CSX’s $1.6B 2018 capital plan reflects 20% decrease over 2017
CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.
NTSB preliminary report on Amtrak 501 accident says PTC would have prevented over speed
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the Amtrak 501 accident in Washington state and explains that positive train control (PTC) could have prevented the over speed condition.
Feds: What Gateway agreement?
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.
Keolis, MBTA driving toward drones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV, aka, drones) are becoming an important tool in railroad engineering and maintenance. Keolis Commuter Services, which operates regional/commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, is among the latest to adopt the technology.
New York, New Jersey commit to funding local share of Gateway Project
New York and New Jersey have reached a deal to fund 100 percent the local share of the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project originally laid out in a 2015 framework agreement, which calls on the federal government to fund 50 percent of the project.
First trains roll over Portageville Bridge
Norfolk Southern began operating trains across its new Portageville Bridge on Dec. 11, following two years of construction.
SCVTA to continue analysis of tunnel options for BART extension
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) has adjusted the project development timeline for the BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 extension in order to further evaluate tunneling options for the project.
Chicago issues RFQ for O’Hare Express Service
The city of Chicago is moving ahead with a plan to offer express train service between the Loop and O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
WSOR hosts WisDOT Sec. Ross for tour
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Dave Ross joined a group of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) employees recently for a tour of the railroad.