Track Structure
First U.S.-Mexico rail bridge in more than a century is now operational
The West Rail Bridge, the first rail bridge connecting U.S. and Mexico in more than 100 years, became operational August 7.
ACE provides grade separation updates
Legislators voiced support for the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) rail-roadway grade-separation projects during a progress update briefing, which focused on six projects in construction or final design and located in the cities of San Gabriel, Industry and Pico Rivera and unincorporated Los Angeles County, including Rowland Heights.
Two Connecticut passenger lines undergoing improvements
Crews will be out along Metro-North Railroad’s New Canaan Branch in Connecticut during the first four weekends of August to renew railroad crossings at three intersections with local streets and rebuild the railroad bridge over the Merritt Parkway.
RTD begins construction on Colorado’s longest bridge
One of the bridges along Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) North Metro Rail Line will be the longest in the FasTracks program. It will also be the longest bridge in Colorado. Construction began in early August 2015 and it will take about two years to complete.
UP to complete $13.5 million in Wyoming trackwork by mid-September
Union Pacific plans to strengthen its infrastructure in Wyoming by investing $13.5 million in its line between Laramie and near Hanna. The project began July 16 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-September.
USDOT: Substantial demand underscores need for TIGER grants
Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s seventh round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants totaled $9.8 billion, almost 20 times the $500 million set aside for the program, demonstrating the continued need for transportation investment nationwide.
Union Pacific to complete $10 million in Kansas track work by mid-August
Union Pacific will strengthen its Kansas’ infrastructure by investing more than $10 million in the rail line between near Delia and near Onaga. The project began July 24 and is scheduled to be completed in mid-August.
LIRR releases draft environmental assessment of Mid-Suffolk Yard-Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) made public a study that assesses the potential environmental impact of its proposed Mid-Suffolk Yard/Ronkonkoma Yard Expansion Project, which would enlarge the LIRR’s existing Ronkonkoma electric train yard just east of Ronkonkoma Station on land already owned by the MTA.
RTD Board approves Balfour Beatty contract for Southeast Rail Extension
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approved a $140-million, two-phased contract award to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension.
Georgia to build inland port to be served by CSX
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Murray County and CSX signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish the Appalachian Regional Port in Chatsworth. Its service area will include North Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and parts of Kentucky.
Canada pledges funds toward Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT
The Canadian government says that it will provide CA$1 billion (US$800 million) in funding for Ottawa, ON, planned Stage 2 light-rail transit project.
Crosslinx Transit Solutions Consortium awarded contract for Eglinton Crosstown LRT
Crosslinx Transit Solutions Joint Venture has been awarded a contract for the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit project in Toronto, ON, Canada. In 2010, the province of Ontario announced an investment of CA$5.3 billion for construction costs for the Crosstown LRT.
ASLRRA boasts Senate progress on 45G
The Senate Finance Committee met to debate legislation put forward by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to extend expiring tax credits, including the Section 45G railroad track maintenance credit.
Harsco Rail moves intelligent solutions under Protran brand
Rail infrastructure and maintenance company Harsco Rail plans to move all technology products and services under the Protran Technology brand, including Zeta Tech.
Jacobs awarded contract for California High-Speed Rail
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. was awarded a contract to provide design services for the Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3) of the California High Speed Rail, which represents the continuation of construction on the California high-speed rail system south towards Kern County.
RTD staff recommends Balfour Beatty Infrastructure proposal for SE rail extension
Staff of Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) recommended that the RTD Board of Directors move forward with a proposal from Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. to design and build the Southeast Rail Extension on July 14.
Ontario Northland ratifies five-year agreement with Teamsters Rail
Northland Transportation Commission (Ontario Northland) and Teamsters Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC MWED) ratified a new five-year collective agreement with 94 percent of the vote was in favor of the agreement.
Update 2015: special trackwork
Manufacturers of special trackwork components offer pieces designed with a longer lifespan in mind.
