Pennsylvania awards funds to 86 multimodal projects
Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million to fund 86 multimodal projects in 35 counties in the state, including nine rail-specific projects.
Track Structure
Construction begins on new Amtrak Rochester, N.Y., station
Construction has started on the $29.8-million Amtrak Rochester Intermodal Station in Rochester, N.Y., which will reduce regional delays by expanding track service at the station, increase functionality through a new and redesigned concourse and enhance the overall passenger experience in the larger, modern station. Construction is expected to be completed by 2017.
L.B. Foster to Acquire Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH Railroad Tuning Unit (FWO)
L.B. Foster Company plans to acquire the railroad tuning unit, FWO, of Balfour Beatty Rail GmbH. The German business provides track lubrication and switch roller equipment for international railway applications.
MTA hires former NTSB managing director as first head of safety; board to consider contract for pocket track and bridge replacement
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named David Mayer as the agency’s new chief safety officer.
MTA marks 110 years of New York subway service
October 27th, 2014, marks the 110th anniversary of the New York City Transit subway system. The first train ran north from City Hall to 145th Street and Broadway. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) notes that the New York City Transit system that now benefits 5.8 million daily customers sprang from a single line that didn’t leave the confines of Manhattan.
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.
CREATE’s Englewood Flyover opens
On October 23, federal, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the $142-million Englewood Flyover, a major railroad bridge that has eliminated a significant source of train delays on the south side of Chicago and has reduced emissions and noise from idling trains in the neighborhood.
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).
New Metra station awarded Illinois funds
A new Metra station at 79th Street in the Chicago neighborhood of Auburn Park-Gresham received a $21.5-million boost in state funds. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced the funds Oct. 11 and is part of the governor’s agenda to create jobs and build infrastructure to drive the state’s economy forward.
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.