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.
Track Structure
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).
Reading & Northern Railroad to replace bridge with state grant
The Reading & Northern Railroad has been awarded a $10 million State Capital budget grant to build a new railroad bridge over the Lehigh River near Nesquehoning in Carbon County, Pa. The project cost is in excess of $14 million with Reading & Northern investing the balance.
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.
Jenkins named CSX VP market strategy e-business
CSX named Ed Jenkins vice president market strategy e-business, effective August 15. Jenkins, who will continue to report to Executive Vice Presient and Chief Commercial Officer Clarence Gooden, has fostered the development of the team responsible for translating customer needs and growth opportunities into service innovations that support each of the railroad’s key markets.
Koppers completes Osmose Wood Preservation and Railroad Services acquisition
Koppers Inc., has completed its acquisition of the wood preservation and railroad services businesses of Osmose Holdings, Inc.
Agreement reached for Northcoast Railroad TIGER grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and New Hampshire reached an agreement concerning a $1.4-million Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) 2013 grant for the New Hampshire Northcoast Rail Improvement Project, which will repair and improve sections of the rail line between Ossipee and Rochester.
CTA awards contract for Brown and Purple Line trackwork
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched the second phase of a major $71.2-million Brown and Purple Line renovation project with a $40.3-million contract award to Kiewit Infrastructure Co., which will upgrade tracks along the Brown and Purple Line between Armitage and the Merchandise Mart.
Another OC Bridges grade crossing moves to the completed column
The $64-million Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project in Irving, Calif., part of Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) OC Bridges program, is now open.
CTA considering two Red Line extension options
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has narrowed down the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) Project to two preliminary options.